Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 engine cleaning results

[buster]

I asked Mobil what oils would clean up an engine that was neglected. I specifically mentioned how some PDS say "cleaning power".

This was their response:

"All Mobil 1 oils have keep clean properties but if you have not been using a Mobil 1 product, the Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage or Mobil 1 High Mileage would by our suggested product for removing buildup if they meet your vehicle requirements.

Regards,

Charles Gaudet"

So I would also add the HM to the list. Not for piston deposits but everything else.

 

[53' Stude]

These photos are best viewed on a cell phone, or any computer that can zoom in closely on the inner parts of the pleats. Most particles are rather small, but I was able to indicate some of the larger ones for clarity. As mentioned before this engine only has 23,000 miles on it and uses no oil between changes.

View attachment 306243View attachment 306244View attachment 306245View attachment 306246
I have also verified that these are all carbon particles, some are actually hard enough to be shiny. In addition, the Valvoline Restore and Protect was only in this engine for about 6 weeks, which included a short trip on I95. Most other driving was short trips, as is my normal usage.

Nice results. Thank You

 

[ChrisD46]

I used Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 before Valvoline Restore and Protect and had no complaints . I would have used Valvoline Restore and Protect for 4 straight OCI’s though before passing judgement though . Lastly , I would consider slightly lower OCI’s keeping it to a 4K - 5K miles / 6 months (which ever comes first) OCI with ESP to ensure strong additives are present for best cleaning (do the same now with Valvoline Restore and Protect). In a clean or cleaned up engine I’m running Valvoline Restore and Protect , ESP or PUP from Walmart (which ever is a roll back sale price).

 

[Leroybrown]

Here is the interesting part of this post, if you have a car that holds 4.5 quarts of oil you should not extend your OCI past 4500 miles and the most you can push it is maybe 5000 miles.

Wouldn't that depend on the size of the engine? For example, a VW 1.4 liter engine holds the same amount of oil as this 4.3 liter engine.

 

[tired]

Wouldn't that depend on the size of the engine? For example, a VW 1.4 liter engine holds the same amount of oil as this 4.3 liter engine.

I think he might be using the rule of thumb for how long you can prolong an OCI using the size of the oil sump: 200x the size of the oil pan (in fuel). Well described by @Hohn in that link. That would account for the variation in engine size, as the larger engine likely has worse fuel economy.

 

[tired]

I actually have proof that it will work!

I've recently used Valvoline Restore and Protect for one month after removing 1 quart from my engine. After my recent oil change, I found particles of carbon in the oil filter! I never saw that before in any previous oil change. The motor oil used in that annual fill was Castrol Edge Euro-car 5W-40. I don't believe that oil has been quoted as being a particularly active "cleaning" oil.
In all honesty, the carbon particles were mostly small, but the fact that they were there at all told me that some cleaning of hard carbon deposits was happening.
All of this on an engine that only has 23,000 miles on it, and shows no sign of oil consumption, mostly short tripped, except for one 2000 mile run to PA and back.

The new oil change consisted of 5 quarts of Valvoline 5W-40 Euro (MB 229.5) and 1,5 quarts of Valvoline Restore and Protect. I'll let you know next October or so if more carbon is removed from that engine.

(I couldn't find an "air punch" emoji)

What prompted you to use Valvoline Restore and Protect in your Mercedes? Were you burning oil? Just curious?

 

[ChrisD46]

ESP 0W30 has some esters in it.
Mobil 1 0W40 in API SN version also had esters and was known as good cleaner.

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

 

[tired]

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

I think they can, from what I've read here. People have reported cleaning with HPL. Valvoline's Premium Blue Restore has such a high dose of ester that it seems to clean rings.

 

[doublebase]

I asked Mobil what oils would clean up an engine that was neglected. I specifically mentioned how some PDS say "cleaning power".

This was their response:

"All Mobil 1 oils have keep clean properties but if you have not been using a Mobil 1 product, the Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage or Mobil 1 High Mileage would by our suggested product for removing buildup if they meet your vehicle requirements.

Regards,

Charles Gaudet"

So I would also add the HM to the list. Not for piston deposits but everything else.

Truthfully I’ve been using Mobil 1 products pretty religiously for the past 2-3 years and all of my engines look spotless (Toyota and Mercedes). The Mercedes has always run 0W40 FS, and the Toyota has run regular Mobil 1, Mobil 1 Extended Performance, and now I’m running Mobil 1 ESP. Not a spec of varnish under those valve covers.

 

[Zee09]

Not to play devil’s advocate, but what would stop a person from simply cleaning the pictured area by hand? It’s right there.

That's what I told my nurse

 

[edyvw]

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

Yes. Not sure what is efficiency compared to CRP, but you use ESP so you don’t have to use Valvoline Restore and Protect later.

 

[buster]

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

Doubtful. Maybe to a very limited extent. Esters keep engines clean. The esters used in most oils are usually in a very small % (6-10% with RL being the outlier).

From the moment it starts for the very first time, critical parts of your engine begin building up harmful deposits that are nearly impossible to reverse - until now. Valvoline Restore and Protect™ is the first and only motor oil that prevents future deposit formation and restores pistons to factory clean by removing up to 100% of engine- killing deposits.

 

[JohnnyG]

What prompted you to use Valvoline Restore and Protect in your Mercedes? Were you burning oil? Just curious?

No, just an experiment to see if it would be effective as an additive. The engine uses no oil at all, and since Valvoline doesn't intend to get any certifications, I figured I'd stick with 229.5 for the bulk of the oil fill, while still enjoying some cleaning effect.

Another point, and this wasn't my original intent, was that it also cleaned under the valve cover, looking through the fill hole. Keep in mind, this car never had cheap oil in it, Mobil 1 factory fill (I assume) several changes using Ravenol, and this last Castrol 5W-40. These oils resulted in just that light golden color on all the cams and rollers visible. That area is now looking like clean metal, but it's early in the oil's life.

The engine is also quieter at idle. So a win all the way around.

I intend to look at the oil filter in about 6 months since it's mounted on top of the engine, and I won't need to destroy it to check the filter media. I'll post pictures if I find anything remarkable.

 

[OVERKILL]

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

They can. Depends on the ester being used (see: Valvoline PBR and HPL's EC products).

There is also evidence that AN's can clean hard deposits:
https://www.stle.org/images/pdf/STL...halenes for High Temperature Applications.pdf

 

[Urshurak776]

Honestly, in my opinion, even "junk" oil, assuming certified SP/SQ, can keep an engine clean at a 5K or under interval. The ring deposits, however, are another story. HPL and Valvoline Restore and Protect I know can work on cleaning/freeing them up. I have not seen any real evidence any other oil has worked. Including the Mobil 1 products. I have seen a lot of examples of spotless engines that are burning oil, due to the carbon on the rings.

I did 4 OCI's of Valvoline Restore and Protect on my sons 2019 Santa Fe. He bought it with 44K miles. I have no idea on previous maintenance history other than a few dealer trips for an oil change, but it was just a few. Currently, he is running Maxlife+ 5W-20. Got it super cheap (about $12 for 5 quarts.) Just checked it this morning and still at full line. He's gone almost 1,000 miles on it. Oil still looks almost new on dip stick. I really believe the Valvoline Restore and Protect works really well, but can take 4-5 OCI's.

 

[travis8352]

Do esters clean hard carbon ring deposits ? Sludge and varnish are one thing to clean but removing hard carbon ring deposits is more challenging and is only being touted by Valvoline Restore and Protect .

I think this is a good question for @Tom NJ

My guess is it depends on the ester

 

[4wd]

They can. Depends on the ester being used (see: Valvoline PBR and HPL's EC products).

There is also evidence that AN's can clean hard deposits:
https://www.stle.org/images/pdf/STLE_ORG/AM2017 Presentations/Synthetics_Hydraulics/STLE2017_Synthetics_Hydraulics II_Session 7I_M. Hunter_Alkylated Naphthalenes for High Temperature Applications.pdf

Just is such a tangly subject - with some saying nothing from the fuel side helps - but if so - are they are just FI cleaners … ?
How about Ring Free and Carbon Guard - and then those who swear by TCW3 in automotive use etc …
I think Valvoline Restore and Protect has become such a hammer/nail that it stifles discussion

 

[4wd]

I think this is a good question for @Tom NJ

My guess is it depends on the ester

Seems that’s what Buster found talking to RL …

 

[buster]

RL told me their oils will run cleaner but did not clean aggressively enough to clean up varnish or deposits. That's standard wording on all synthetics now. They all fall on the preventative side which is most important actually.

I used to think the ester containing oils could clean up quite well until Valvoline Restore and Protect came along and what Dr. Warholic said about them. I think they can clean up other carbon but severe piston deposits I'm sketpical.

 

[travis8352]

It could be that high ester oils can clean piston deposits, but that its never been tested with engine tear downs.

62.5% for premium blue restore as im pretty sure it also contained 12.5% AN