Motorbike oil could be a good alternative, as motorbikes also share the transmission with the engine oil. However, as motorbikes have a wet clutch, the oil has to be specifically designed to have low zinc content as to not interfere with the clutch operation. So while it probably has the characteristics to deal with transmission loads, it may not be suitable for the flat tappets in the A-series.
As far as the Helix HX5 is concerned, it is a very good oil from a reputable company, however as it is API SN rated it may not contain enough ZDDP. ZDDP concentrations have been systematically reduced since the SG rating. SF was the last oil that had relatively high levels of Zync.
Even in diesel oils the ZDDP levels have been reduced to cope with particulate filters so using diesel oils is not always a guarantee that concentration is high enough. From what I could find out, Delo 400 still has high levels of ZDDP.
Now there is a school of thought that ZDDP is only applicable once the film strength of oil has been breached. In this case the ZDDP works as a barrier to prevent metal to metal contact in high pressure situations such as the gear to gear and cam to follower areas. With modern synthetic oils the film strength is vastly improved, so it is quite possible that the extra protection of ZDDP will never be needed.
For my own piece of mind I use the Delo400 as it's film strength is comparable and sometimes better than full synthetics and it has the added ZDDP, so IMHO it is like wearing belt and braces.
http://www.fuchsoil.co.za/automotive/gra...tra-20w50/
This looks like a good oil as it is API SG. I would still prefer a lower Cold rating such as a 10W or 15W but that's just me
As far as the Helix HX5 is concerned, it is a very good oil from a reputable company, however as it is API SN rated it may not contain enough ZDDP. ZDDP concentrations have been systematically reduced since the SG rating. SF was the last oil that had relatively high levels of Zync.
Even in diesel oils the ZDDP levels have been reduced to cope with particulate filters so using diesel oils is not always a guarantee that concentration is high enough. From what I could find out, Delo 400 still has high levels of ZDDP.
Now there is a school of thought that ZDDP is only applicable once the film strength of oil has been breached. In this case the ZDDP works as a barrier to prevent metal to metal contact in high pressure situations such as the gear to gear and cam to follower areas. With modern synthetic oils the film strength is vastly improved, so it is quite possible that the extra protection of ZDDP will never be needed.
For my own piece of mind I use the Delo400 as it's film strength is comparable and sometimes better than full synthetics and it has the added ZDDP, so IMHO it is like wearing belt and braces.
http://www.fuchsoil.co.za/automotive/gra...tra-20w50/
This looks like a good oil as it is API SG. I would still prefer a lower Cold rating such as a 10W or 15W but that's just me
![[-]](https://samini.co.za/images/collapse.png)