....I cant even bring up this name around people in public who are NOT members of this website...I hear the old classic "it will form wax in your engine"....guys..I am 27 years old.....and I do not EVER remember this oil causing a problem in any of my vehicles..I have only been driving since 1997,...when was this supposed era of pennzoil "waxing" taking place? 60's 70's 80's? My friend had a 1993 chevy he had for sale a while ago that ran GREAT with NOTHING but pennzoil since new and had 140,000 miles...a gentleman drove from out of state with his wife to look/drive at this fine truck with CASH in HAND, only to back out of the deal when he asked my buddy what kind of oil he ran in it. He told him the truth and said pennzoil. The fellow almost left black tire marks when he left!! WHAT GIVES!! Has anyone ever had bad luck with it? I hear that SHELL owns it now? Is this true? I happen to proudly admit that I run Pennzoil Platinum, which I buy at wally world for a good price.
Im so sick of hearing bad things about pennzoil...
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Owned by SOPUS "Shell Oil Products U.S."
Outstanding oil, in fact one of the best out there. I hear the wax stories myself from time to time and I don't even waste my time trying to educate people who believe in urban legends, etc.
Use it with confidence and just lie when you sell a vehicle. Just tell the guy you used Castrol or another flavor of your choice.
Outstanding oil, in fact one of the best out there. I hear the wax stories myself from time to time and I don't even waste my time trying to educate people who believe in urban legends, etc.
Use it with confidence and just lie when you sell a vehicle. Just tell the guy you used Castrol or another flavor of your choice.
I think there might have been a "wax" problem back in the 1950's with "eastern" oils, and a sludging problem with "western" oils. That's still based on here-say, though.
I've used Pennzoil 20W-50 primarily for the last 40 years with 10w-30 being my choice for perhaps the last 5 years. Had a 1988 Oldsmobile with 250K Pennzoil 20W-50 miles on the engine when the car was totaled by a minor accident. Looking into the oil fill hole in the rocker cover, the rockers were always clean and untarnished. Have always done a 5000-mile oil change interval except for several years early this century when I went to a twice per year OCI running 10W-30 in the winter months, and SAE-30 mono-grade in the summer.
If Pennzoil was so bad, it wouldn't be the best selling oil in the country.
Besides, I always get it at Kragen by the case, when rebates drop the cost per quart to less than $1.00.
Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo
I've used Pennzoil 20W-50 primarily for the last 40 years with 10w-30 being my choice for perhaps the last 5 years. Had a 1988 Oldsmobile with 250K Pennzoil 20W-50 miles on the engine when the car was totaled by a minor accident. Looking into the oil fill hole in the rocker cover, the rockers were always clean and untarnished. Have always done a 5000-mile oil change interval except for several years early this century when I went to a twice per year OCI running 10W-30 in the winter months, and SAE-30 mono-grade in the summer.
If Pennzoil was so bad, it wouldn't be the best selling oil in the country.
Besides, I always get it at Kragen by the case, when rebates drop the cost per quart to less than $1.00.
Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo
Hi,
Ponch - I first used Pennzoil engine lubricants in the mid 1950s. I used it in Chevs (6 and V8s), Ford V8s and in pre WW2 engines such as Rugby, Chrysler, Dodge, Hudson-Terraplane and Lincoln V12s too
It was agreat product then and IMHO was much better than the sludgemaker Castrol XL, XXL products of that era
Ponch - I first used Pennzoil engine lubricants in the mid 1950s. I used it in Chevs (6 and V8s), Ford V8s and in pre WW2 engines such as Rugby, Chrysler, Dodge, Hudson-Terraplane and Lincoln V12s too
It was agreat product then and IMHO was much better than the sludgemaker Castrol XL, XXL products of that era
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I just did some quick searching on google and read on another forum the same question. A mechanic said that the motors he disassembled that used Pennzoil or Quaker State always had more sludge built up in them. On the other hand, one guy posted that his friend (an Amsoil dealer who is very knowledgable) said he would put Penzoil at the top of his list of dino oils. Seems like it's hard to find solid evidence that says any of these oils are "bad," especially since the companies are so rich. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool. Seems like to those who actually take engines apart (mechanics) have noticed internal engine differences between Pennzoil and other brands. On the other hand, those who only read about the subject tend to believe it's a good oil (there's no reason not to). Well, the truth isn't always written on paper unless it's a scientific article published in an accredited journal. The way I see it, why risk it? There are lots of other good oil brands to choose from on the shelf. I don't feel sorry for Penzoil or Quaker State and don't feel like I am being "unfair" to them by not buying their product. Trust me, as someone mentioned, they're amongst the top sellers of oil. They have enough contracts with shops and distributors, which actually would make sense that they'd cut the quality of their oil a bit. After all, it's all business. They really don't care about your car or mine; just how much money comes in.
I too have grown up around the myths and horror stories and what can i say i was young and believed them for awhile, i'm glad i'm educated on it now.
i own 2 vehicles that have had a steady life of pennzoil before i bought them, one runs great, the other ran great up until it was smashed.
I would indeed run Pennzoil if it wasn't for the price, i have no problem with using Shell Products.
i own 2 vehicles that have had a steady life of pennzoil before i bought them, one runs great, the other ran great up until it was smashed.
I would indeed run Pennzoil if it wasn't for the price, i have no problem with using Shell Products.
I used it for many years and still do, never a problem. Since joining BITOG I have started shopping price on other oils, but seem to favor Pennzoil products...
Frank D
Frank D
I've been using Pennzoil since 1984. Once in a while I might stray, but I always come back to the dependable performance of the Yellow Bottle.
I've run them all in my old Saturn.
Pennzoil YB 5W20 is at the top of the list for LOW oil consumption.
They must be doing something right.
Pennzoil YB 5W20 is at the top of the list for LOW oil consumption.
They must be doing something right.
I'm pretty sure I've read here 'somehwere' that around 1972-1974, Pennzoil DID have some batches of oil that had a poor quality VI/add pack in them, and it did break down and sludge up engines. Just like QS had a bad batch of oil that turned 'solid' in 1980-1981.
I've been driving since 1994, and have used 'mostly' YB 5W-30 in a few cars, and have never had a problem. In looking at the UOA's posted on this site, they are almost always excellent.
It's a great oil!
I've been driving since 1994, and have used 'mostly' YB 5W-30 in a few cars, and have never had a problem. In looking at the UOA's posted on this site, they are almost always excellent.
It's a great oil!
In the 1980s I distinctly remember it feeling gritty, it simply didnt run as well in any of our cars as valvoline. Maybe today their quality is better. I also remember Quaker State being the disappearing oil (lose a quart magically every 3k) when other brands never disappeared. Castrol used to be the varnish king.
These days things have changed and they're all much much better and the arguments just aren't as sound.
Wax? Probably an old mechanic's tale concerning the paraffin's in oil, since when people think paraffin they think candle wax.
These days things have changed and they're all much much better and the arguments just aren't as sound.
Wax? Probably an old mechanic's tale concerning the paraffin's in oil, since when people think paraffin they think candle wax.
Yep, it's so bad my extended family has been using it since 1941. What were we thanking?
Originally Posted By: 02zx9r
let the misinformed continue there ways, i have used it in the past and would use it again
Well said O2zx9r. Well said!
let the misinformed continue there ways, i have used it in the past and would use it again
Well said O2zx9r. Well said!
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I`d consider Pennzoil yb to be one of the best,if not the best dino oil made. I`ve seen real world experience that it`s an excellent oil (cars that have used nothing but Pennz yb that are in the 200-400k mile range and STILL going strong!). Now that,to me,says it`s an excellent oil.
I`ve always wanted to try their 20W50 racing oil,but I`ve never seen it for sale.
I`ve always wanted to try their 20W50 racing oil,but I`ve never seen it for sale.
Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
A mechanic said that the motors he disassembled that used Pennzoil or Quaker State always had more sludge built up in them.
That's an excellent example of how these rumors spread. Does the mechanic know FOR SURE that the car has used predominately Pennzoil for its whole life? Does he know its maintenance history? How many car owners could accurately tell us which brand of oil their car has seen throughout its lifetime, particularly if purchased used? There are just too many unknowns. Sure, the mechanic might know what type of oil the car had been using since it was purchased, as well as its service history, IF he'd been the only mechanic that the owner had been bringing the car to all those years. But IF that were the case, I'd bet money that there would be no sludge!
The sludge stories continue to be just rumor. Its always "I'm a mechanic, and I can tell which cars use Pennzoil, because they have sludge." B.S. Can they honestly say, accurately, that all that sludge wasn't due to a bunch of really long oil change intervals or mechanical issues such as a bad thermostat or PCV valve? How does he know that there wasn't some OTHER brand of oil in there for the car's first 70,000 miles, before the current owner bought it? They just never know FOR SURE. Its easier to blame the oil.
I used Pennzoil in the first brand new car I bought, back in 1991, and put over 300,000 miles on it. It never saw any other brands of oil. Pulled the valve covers and it was spotless; I've posted the pics here on more than one occasion. And the difference here is this: I KNOW I used Pennzoil exclusively and have painstaking records of every oil change; the rumor-spreaders NEVER do.
A mechanic said that the motors he disassembled that used Pennzoil or Quaker State always had more sludge built up in them.
That's an excellent example of how these rumors spread. Does the mechanic know FOR SURE that the car has used predominately Pennzoil for its whole life? Does he know its maintenance history? How many car owners could accurately tell us which brand of oil their car has seen throughout its lifetime, particularly if purchased used? There are just too many unknowns. Sure, the mechanic might know what type of oil the car had been using since it was purchased, as well as its service history, IF he'd been the only mechanic that the owner had been bringing the car to all those years. But IF that were the case, I'd bet money that there would be no sludge!
The sludge stories continue to be just rumor. Its always "I'm a mechanic, and I can tell which cars use Pennzoil, because they have sludge." B.S. Can they honestly say, accurately, that all that sludge wasn't due to a bunch of really long oil change intervals or mechanical issues such as a bad thermostat or PCV valve? How does he know that there wasn't some OTHER brand of oil in there for the car's first 70,000 miles, before the current owner bought it? They just never know FOR SURE. Its easier to blame the oil.
I used Pennzoil in the first brand new car I bought, back in 1991, and put over 300,000 miles on it. It never saw any other brands of oil. Pulled the valve covers and it was spotless; I've posted the pics here on more than one occasion. And the difference here is this: I KNOW I used Pennzoil exclusively and have painstaking records of every oil change; the rumor-spreaders NEVER do.
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Guys, all I know is my little old neighbor lady used penzzoil in her last oil change, and then all of the sudden she got a letter stating there cutting her medicare.
NO THANK YOU
Guys, all I know is my little old neighbor lady used penzzoil in her last oil change, and then all of the sudden she got a letter stating there cutting her medicare.
NO THANK YOU
We have ACTUAL examples of Mobil 1 cars that get sludged-up from PCV and head temp issues. Is anyone claiming it was Mobil's fault?
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