Bulk vs Bottle

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
. . .
How are you judging this? used oil analysis?

I dont judge overall lubricant quality with a used oil analysis. If you do your fooling yourself.
I judge oils by OTR performance and fuel milage. Been drivin for over 40 years, should know a good oil by now.


So, "I've been driving for over 40 years" is more objective and scientific than a used oil analysis -- any used oil analysis????? I'm sorry, but you're the one fooling yourself. used oil analysis is not the "be all and end all", but at least it gives you some objective measurements of what's happening.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Many bulk oil formulations are "professional" blends which have more robust adds. I've always gotten BETTER perfoming Valvoline oil from my local chevy dealer in bulk OC than what I put in from the bottle. What's leaching from the plastic bottle into the oil? Silicones, ethylene dienes?


I've never heard that before. How did you determine the bulk oil from your dealer was better than out of your bottle?? What test method did you use to verify that statement is all I'm asking.


I haven't either. I'm a tad surprised at AG. On one hand, he suggests that we can't trust used oil analysis/VOA, but then suggests that chemicals, which should be easily detectable via used oil analysis are leaching from oil bottles to the oil inside them. I've reviewed hundreds, if not thousands of used oil analysis/VOA, and seen no indication of chemicals from the oil bottles. I'd much, much rather take my chances with oil from a known-to-be-sealed bottle, than from a bulk tank I have absolutely no way of knowing whether it's filthy of spotless clean.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Many bulk oil formulations are "professional" blends which have more robust adds.


Most professional blends have less robust adds from what I've seen.

Like Shell Rimula vs Rotella.

 

[joel95ex]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
Originally Posted By: Eddie
+1 chevrofrek. If bulk oil is stored too long, the additives can settle out. General motors warned dealers about over buying more bulk oil than they could use within a specific time. So you have more of a potential issue if you go to a small dealer who moves very little oil and uses large bulk (55 gallon) containers.


Does this mean that the people that are getting their oil pumped into their engine from a nearly empty tank are getting a lot more additives/detergent in their oil?



man i would be callin the dealers askin them to call me when the tank is almost empty so I can get "concentrated additive package" hehe

 

[joel95ex]

I was just curious since that mechanic mentioned it and when i worked at a GM dealer one summer, the bulk tank truck would just pull up, the guy would drag the hose to the tank and pump it in----the delevery truck was similar to one that delivers heating oil to homes up north.---and this was in MI (college summer job) so there were oil heated houses up there I'm sure.

 

[demarpaint]

Maybe bulk oil can be as good or better than bottled oil, but at the end of the day the oil in my ride came from a bottle. Too many things go on in dealerships or quick lube places for me to trust them, or what they tell me they're pumping into my engine.

I had to already stop a mechanic from pouring type F fluid into a 95 Caprice I once owned. Then he proceeds to tell me he read a study that said type F was the most highly refined transmission fluid and was actually better. Had I not been watching him I would have the wrong transmission fluid in that car. My bet is he was cleaning house and had a bunch of type F laying around he wanted to get rid of.

 

[AlanRebod]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Many bulk oil formulations are "professional" blends which have more robust adds. I've always gotten BETTER perfoming Valvoline oil from my local chevy dealer in bulk OC than what I put in from the bottle. What's leaching from the plastic bottle into the oil? Silicones, ethylene dienes?


I've never heard that before. How did you determine the bulk oil from your dealer was better than out of your bottle?? What test method did you use to verify that statement is all I'm asking.


Maybe he sniffs his oil like that guy on the GM OLM thread

As far as bulk vs. bottled, Mobil claims there is no difference between bulk and bottled Mobil 1. Mobil Clean 5000 only comes in bottle form; the bulk Mobil Clean oil has less detergents. But they don't call it the same product, so there is no confusion.

As far as the Valvoline bulk goes, we can go straight to the horse's mouth on this:

Originally Posted By: http://www.valvoline.com/car-care/motor-oil-myths/
MYTH: Bulk oil is a different (lower) quality than bottled oil.

REALITY: Bulk oil is the exact same oil that is bottled and sold in retail locations.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

If the oil does not perform on the road, what good is a used oil analysis? My tactile pleasue with the lubricant in service is paramount. I agree that the used oil analysis is a tool, and as such, for casual passenger car maintenance, I would run a TBN if wishing to extend my drain interval out of warranty. If you have a specialised engine that chews up SM oils, then you could use this tool in more advanced ways. I would like to see a common test for propensity for sludging. This is my biggest concern with my vehicles in service.

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
. . .
How are you judging this? used oil analysis?

I dont judge overall lubricant quality with a used oil analysis. If you do your fooling yourself.
I judge oils by OTR performance and fuel milage. Been drivin for over 40 years, should know a good oil by now.


So, "I've been driving for over 40 years" is more objective and scientific than a used oil analysis -- any used oil analysis????? I'm sorry, but you're the one fooling yourself. used oil analysis is not the "be all and end all", but at least it gives you some objective measurements of what's happening.