I have been using HPL 0W30 Euro formula in my wife’s 2002 Volvo XC70. It’s a mildly turbocharged 2.4 liter 5 cylinder. The engine has 286,000 miles, all original, nothing beyond seals replaced. It has a relatively new, and clean, PCV system. The engine itself is clean inside, through there is a bit of varnish (borescope through drain plug examination a while back).
Prior to the HPL, I used exclusively ACEA A3/B4 oils, from Pennzoil, Mobil, and Castrol. Intervals ranged from 7,500 miles to 5,000 miles. Lately, it’s been closer to 5,000 miles.
The filter is a Mahle.
Of interest is the same carbon caught by the media as @wwillson saw on his filter in this thread:
The carbon is gritty, and while only a tiny bit is visible on the surface of the media itself, the filter likely had more captured in the media. I’ve had this car, and engine, for a bit over 200,000 miles, and I am surprised by both the carbon, which I haven’t seen captured in the filter in this engine before, and how dark the filter and oil had become over the 6,000 miles.
The engine is on its second run of HPL 0W30, and I look forward to seeing what the current filter (also Mahle) looks like when it comes out.
I would be speculating if I were to guess at the source of the carbon. Volvos are known to plug up their PCV systems, and that material is often similar in appearance - hard, black, carbonaceous. The PCV system is one potential source, and in that case, I’m glad for the cleaning. The ring lands/pistons would be another possibility, as carbon of similar appearance can build up there.
Either way, it’s clear that some form of cleaning is taking place.
Prior to the HPL, I used exclusively ACEA A3/B4 oils, from Pennzoil, Mobil, and Castrol. Intervals ranged from 7,500 miles to 5,000 miles. Lately, it’s been closer to 5,000 miles.
The filter is a Mahle.
Of interest is the same carbon caught by the media as @wwillson saw on his filter in this thread:
Dodge Durango 3.6L - HPL 5w-20 - 21,079 Miles on oil
Previous UOA: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/dodge-durango-3-6l-hpl-5w-20-15-820-miles-on-oil.339553/ This is a sample pulled from my Durango 3.6L with 132,679 miles total and 21,079 miles on the oil. The oil is HP 5w-20 by High Performance Lubricants in Manteno, IL. This oil is...
bobistheoilguy.com
The carbon is gritty, and while only a tiny bit is visible on the surface of the media itself, the filter likely had more captured in the media. I’ve had this car, and engine, for a bit over 200,000 miles, and I am surprised by both the carbon, which I haven’t seen captured in the filter in this engine before, and how dark the filter and oil had become over the 6,000 miles.
The engine is on its second run of HPL 0W30, and I look forward to seeing what the current filter (also Mahle) looks like when it comes out.
I would be speculating if I were to guess at the source of the carbon. Volvos are known to plug up their PCV systems, and that material is often similar in appearance - hard, black, carbonaceous. The PCV system is one potential source, and in that case, I’m glad for the cleaning. The ring lands/pistons would be another possibility, as carbon of similar appearance can build up there.
Either way, it’s clear that some form of cleaning is taking place.