Should I use zMax

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w6pea

w6pea

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Location
San Diego, Mexifornia USA
I have a 1995 Ford F-250 with a 7.5L (460 cid) Gas engine.
I have always since 2005 run semi-synthetic oil, the truck has 180,000, the truck doesn't burn oil. I have never put any additives in it and change the oil and filter every 4500 miles.
I was told by a friend of mine that because of the mileage on my truck I should start using zMax, I think he's out of his mind.
He's a big fan of TruckU TV and I have watched it a few times and they advertise the heck out of zMax, I don't want to put some thing in my truck that will hurt it. Any one have any experience using this stuff. I have a couple of other friends (RVer's) that think the sun rises and sets in Seafoam. I don't know much about the stuff.
 
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Here's some light reading on the subject...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/zmax-r-testing-ftc.140889/
 
Sounds like your truck is healthy right now. You did something right up until this point -- why change it?
 
Originally Posted By: STG
I love when somebody actually considers advice from a friend he thinks is out of his mind.


I think he's out of his mind because I haven't had any problems so far with the truck. I can drive almost 3500 miles before I need to add any oil to it.
My Uncle had a Richfield Service station he always told me to change oil & filter every 3000 miles, I figure using Semi-Synthetic I can go to at least 4500 miles.
 
Id say that your answer, as most all the time, is maybe...

Does your engine have a sound, tick, varnish, sludge, etc.? Seems like no. Will zMax do anything notable? maybe.

Does your fuel system have issues? Seems like no. Will zMax do anything notable? maybe.

And maybe because you have to run the experiment to get the answer. Maybe also because you may not actually notice anything, but it doesnt mean that something isnt being done in the background.

Personally, Im a big fan of fuel adds. I learned their benefits when I had a fuel pump on the out - using adds would quiet it substantially, so you know that at low dosing, they DO do something. Do people go hundreds of thousands of miles without and without issue, sure. Is there benefit to using them? maybe.

Most of the things we try to optimize on and do arent going to be manifested until 100k passes. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Unless youre trying to solve a problem you may not notice any difference. IMO at least in the fuel some additive is worth it, YMMV. In the oil there is less of a case, IMO, if the truck has been regularly maintained. Have you ever pulled the pan to check? It may be good, maybe not. Im not a huge fan of oil adds besides LC20/132 mix unless Im trying to treat an issue. That said, at 180k, I wouldnt say it would hurt to put something in to clean anything that might be there. That said, if it ain't broke... For my engines, which all but one are inline, changing an oil pan gasket or a valve cover gasket, turbo oil seal, etc. isnt a huge deal, so Id chance it. On a big V8, access may be more of an issue...

Im becoming a fan of zMax and would consider running it in the oil at least once.
 
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Just to add to your question about SeaFoam, which is a totally different additive to Z-Max, it is used to glean gum and varnish off of engine parts. It is also used in the crankcase to clean out the engine, from what I know it can be used in gas as a stabilizer or to clean the fuel system. Although I believe there are better products for that. It is a very good product (solvent) for its intended use to clean. I think with the maintenance of your truck you don't need a thing in the crank case but a good oil of your choosing. You may want to try some fuel system cleaners like REGANE. and RedLine SL-1, two excellent products. Z-Max is a lot of hype. Keep it away from your engine.
 
Originally Posted By: w6pea
Originally Posted By: hate2work
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Here's some light reading on the subject...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/zmax-r-testing-ftc.140889/


I already read that post. Thank you.


Well, if you read all of that thread and still have to ask the question, then I suggest you are not a candidate for the product. I will say though, it will not hurt your engine and it is not all hype like some might think. I will also say your friend is wrong by saying just because you have 180K you should start using it.
 
I used to have a low opinion of it, based on nothing but hearsay. But, when it went on sale, I said, what the hey, I'll try it.

Yes, I drive the Z4 year round. Yes, it sits outside. During our recent snow storm, at 2am it started up just fine, and was nice and quiet. No ticking, no sound at all that I should not hear.

Put it this way. I cleaned out the local AAP as they were running another sale.

Should you use it? Only you can answer that.
 
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Originally Posted By: Trajan
I used to have a low opinion of it, based on nothing but hearsay.


Far and away, most people have an unfounded high opinion of all the snake oils, due to hearsays! They WANT to believe!
 
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: Trajan
I used to have a low opinion of it, based on nothing but hearsay.


Far and away, most people have an unfounded high opinion of all the snake oils, due to hearsays! They WANT to believe!


As oppossed to those who WANT to believe any kind of oil additive is snake oil.
 
i think zmax is one of the very few products that realy works. how ever spending $30. each oil change. is a bit much
 
Originally Posted By: morris
i think zmax is one of the very few products that realy works. how ever spending $30. each oil change. is a bit much


Don't knock it until ya try it, no matter how much the product costs.

I am not going to try it, but ya won't see me knocking it since I have not tried it.
 
Originally Posted By: w6pea
I have always since 2005 run semi-synthetic oil, the truck has 180,000, the truck doesn't burn oil. I have never put any additives in it and change the oil and filter every 4500 miles.


You just answered your own question!
 
Originally Posted By: w6pea
I have a couple of other friends (RVer's) that think the sun rises and sets in Seafoam.


Ah! The almighty Seafoam!

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Originally Posted By: Johnny


Well, if you read all of that thread and still have to ask the question, then I suggest you are not a candidate for the product. I will say though, it will not hurt your engine and it is not all hype like some might think. I will also say your friend is wrong by saying just because you have 180K you should start using it.


+1. I think if you're wondering about adding an additive based only on the recommendation of a friend you think is out of his mind, then you're not a candidate for any additive they recommended (whether zMAX or anything else).

If you were asking for a recommendation on a product to use to address a specific issue, then you could get some suggestions on what may, or may not, work on that issue. Doesn't sound like there is anything to address or any reason to change whatever you're doing at this point. Not based on the OP anyway.

-Spyder
 
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