Originally Posted By: Garak
Most of the detergents are metals.
Yes, there is a metal cation ion that is a part of the detergent molecule. The metal is usually Ca, Mg, or Na. HOWEVER, those metals do NOT do the cleaning. It's the anion that does the "cleaning".
Here is a little info for those that are MASSIVELY misinformed and CONFUSED.
1.) Detergents do some "cleaning" because they neutralize acids in the oil. When acids are present, they break down the oil and these byproducts cause deposits to form. So, detergents prevent the acids from creating byproducts and thus, prevent deposits. This is is how detergents "clean". They aren't really cleaning....they are preventing deposits from being formed. Detergents in oil aren't like Dawn Dish Soap and "dissolve" dirt.
2.) Acids are usually seen as positive hydrogen ions (H+). Bases are usually seen as negative hydroxide ions (OH-). When you mix an H+ and a OH- together, they neutralize eachother and you get water (H2O). Too many H+'s around, and you have an acidic environment....which, as I stated above, acids break down oil, cause byproducts, which leads to "dirty" deposits in an engine. Detergents are in oil to prevent this. So, detergents are ionic molecules that are cations (positively charged) and anions (negatively charged). The cations are usually Ca+, Mg+, and Na+. This is what we measure when we do VOA's/UOA's. HOWEVER, it's the ANION that does all the work. It's the negatively charged ANION that will seek out the acidic H+'s in the oil and neutralize them.
Here is an equation: H+ (positive charged, bad acid!) + detergent anion- (negative charged) = HAnion (neutral charge)
GET IT? It's the ANION that has the ability to neutralize the acidic H+'s in the oil. The Ca, Mg, and Na just go along for the ride.
So, detergents aren't really doing any cleaning. They are prevent deposits from forming.
Dissperents hold the particles in solution if they form, sort of "dissolving them". Which prevents them from adhering to our engines. Particles are gonna form, you can't prevent it...no matter how much acid-neutralizing detergents are present. Dissperents are part of an oil's add pack as well....and these dissperents help prevent the particles from sticking to our pretty engines, so they can washed away when we do an oil change.