Another Urban Legend

[BobXRC]

Was in Schucks the other day (Checker, Kragen in other states). Saw a guy get a case of Chevron Supreme. I was behind him in line. To the cashier, he started to bash Quaker State, saying its made from wax and then it would turn back to wax in the engine. He went on to say that you couldn't drain it out...blah blah blah. He seemed pretty proud of himself. The sad thing was that the cashier was nodding his head yes. BTW - He was referring to convential Quaker State.

I've heard this #@$%! a long time ago, probably before people started talking about some of the Group III processes. I usually only hear this type of irrational talk at Walmart. Makes you wonder if this guy can safely change his oil.

 

[K-Man]

You're absolutely right, Bob. Everyone here knows it isn't Quaker State that turns to wax, it's Pennzoil. Even the full synthetic Pennzoil Platinum. Watch out or it'll leave gobs of wax on your valves and in your intake manifold.

 

[BobXRC]

I can't wait for the next one...

PAOs turning back into gas as your going down the highway...

 

[Mokanic]

The QS myth is more prevalent around here than the Penn myth except it isn't called wax around here;they call it black sludge. I think I have heard the one about the guy who changed his oil every 3K with QS and pulled his valve-cover off to replace a gasket and to his horror there was a perfect "mold" of black goo under there. The story was further embellished by adding the fact that you could not even see the rockers,pushrods,ect. becouse of the perfect jello-like mold under the cover. Of course the reason given is becouse the oil is made from parrafin wax(that much is similar to the Penn myth).
Years ago I worked in one new car dealer that used QS exclusively and offered every customer the warranty that QS put behind their oil= 250K miles with no oil related problems (including sludge)if you used their oil at least every 4K miles. In the seven years I was there it was never needed and the innards of the engines we saw were as clean as any. I do not personally use any SOPUS oils but would not be afraid to use them at proper intervals. I would not have had a problem with

 

[Mokanic]

My apologies! Not sure what happened... My computer farted?

 

[obbop]

Can't we have a suburban and/or rural legend once-in-awhile?

I feel so left out.

 

[TallPaul]

Can only hope the cashier was nodding his head because he had given up on trying to educate such know-it-alls.

 

[PT1]

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My apologies! Not sure what happened... My computer farted?

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Wow.....just talking about Quaker State sludged you computer hard drive.....

 

[eljefino]

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To the cashier, he started to bash Quaker State, saying its made from wax and then it would turn back to wax in the engine. He went on to say that you couldn't drain it out...blah blah blah. He seemed pretty proud of himself. The sad thing was that the cashier was nodding his head yes.

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As in nodding yes, yes, get out of my store.

If a BITOGer ran a parts store the customers would drive him crazy and any education campaigns would result in an empty store full of tumbleweeds.

It's worse when the clerk spouts off (ill considered) advice and the customer has to smile and nod.

 

[Gary Allan]

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Can't we have a suburban and/or rural legend once-in-awhile?

I feel so left out.

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I've often wondered why it was always an "urban legend"

Do all myths/legends originate within the confines of a concrete jungle?

I guess the Jersey Devil and Bigfoot are non-urban legends

On topic: Don't be too hard on those who haven't kept up to date. Many oils were junk just due to changing demands put on them and processes employed refining them. If you took a snapshot and formed a life long opinion based on a 70's view ..what would you conclude?

There's more pre-geezer or bona fide geezers here that, once bitten (by anything), say "NEVER AGAIN!!!!

" ..as though they just caught some street criminal pawing through their wife's fancy underwear drawer or something like that. It's not just an occurrence ...it's a violation and crime against nature.

 

[ted s]

You mean i didnt see big foot rotating my tires in my drive way?

 

[Mokanic]

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My apologies! Not sure what happened... My computer farted?

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Wow.....just talking about Quaker State sludged you computer hard drive.....

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Blasted wax build-up!

 

[Panzerman]

I think Pennzoil and Quaker state just made the most oil in back then and most people werent educated like now in the importance of oil changes. I was little but I dont rememmber my Dad changing oil much in the Family car, I do know he always used Quaker State, I believe it was called Deluxe blend, In the green/gold cans, anyway, all we had were Buicks and they all rusted out long before the engine gave out. I cant remember any serious engine troubles we had, I do remember helping him change a valve cover gasket, I was about 11 and the inside of the cover looked ike it had been undercoated. I take it this was sludge, but all our cars made it past 100000 and that was good for the 70s.

 

[Lazy JW]

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... I think I have heard the one about the guy who changed his oil every 3K with QS and pulled his valve-cover off to replace a gasket and to his horror there was a perfect "mold" of black goo under there...

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I actually saw a similar "mold" of sludge once. Back in 1980, a neighbor asked me to adjust the valves on his 1975 Dodge slant six. The sludge only filled the valve cover about one-third of the way though. I have never seen anything like it before or since. He was a Pennzoil user, changed at 3k. The car had over 100k on it, and the PCV was plugged. At the time I blamed it on the Pennzoil and refused to use their products. I know better now but still don't use Pennz.
Joe

 

[K-Man]

Lazy JW, your neighbor might have told you he changed his oil every 3K, but...

 

[rn2fine]

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I think I have heard the one about the guy who changed his oil every 3K with QS and pulled his valve-cover off to replace a gasket and to his horror there was a perfect "mold" of black goo under there.

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I bought a 65 chevelle with 40k on it in the 90s and when I pulled the valve cover off there were chunks of a hard black substance that had formed to the shape of the valve cover that stayed in place as I pulled the cover off. It wasn't like Jello though and it did not encase or completely obstruct view of the valvetrain. But it was real and not an urban legend.

 

[mechtech2]

Paraffin gets confused with par-affinic, a GOOD attribute of motor oils.

 

[MC5W20]

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I think I have heard the one about the guy who changed his oil every 3K with QS and pulled his valve-cover off to replace a gasket and to his horror there was a perfect "mold" of black goo under there.

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I bought a 65 chevelle with 40k on it in the 90s and when I pulled the valve cover off there were chunks of a hard black substance that had formed to the shape of the valve cover that stayed in place as I pulled the cover off. It wasn't like Jello though and it did not encase or completely obstruct view of the valvetrain. But it was real and not an urban legend.

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Yep, tore apart several motors in the 90's that were late 70's vintage and they all had exactly what your describing. Funny thing is one of them came out of a care that had a Quaker State oil change sticker on it.