Myth confirmed? Maybe. Leakage after changing oil brands/formulations

[kschachn]

I don't know why. I just know my 3800 does not like Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w40.

As nebulous as that is, it’s better than saying it was a problem with the winter rating.

 

[tired]

So:
- build up on the valve stems from conventional oil use: prevented major leaking down valve stem seals
- Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 cleaned off these deposits/sludge: Oil starts going by valve stem seals, accumulating in cylinders, creates deposits + blue smoke + noise
- Maxlife 5W-30 conditions valve stem seals, consumption slows, blue smoke stops, deposit build-up stops, noise goes away

At least that'd be my guess at the timeline.

So Mobil 1 FS did something positive for his engine. Based on limited knowledge and not seeking an expert opinion/diagnosis, he incorrectly thinks his engine "doesn't like" Mobil 1, concocts a story as to why, and begins spreading misinformation here.

A phenomenon that is probably quite common here.

 

[OVERKILL]

So Mobil 1 FS did something positive for his engine. Based on limited knowledge and not seeking an expert opinion/diagnosis, he incorrectly thinks his engine "doesn't like" Mobil 1, concocts a story as to why, and begins spreading misinformation here.

A phenomenon that is probably quite common here.

That's why I pointed him at the SAE J300 thread, because of the misconception that the 0W-40 was "thinner". That clearly wasn't the case and wasn't the problem. And yeah, particularly if that was the pre-reformulation version of FS, which had a more potent base oil combo, it was able to do some cleaning (and advertised as such by Mobil).

That said, if Maxlife allows him to avoid having to do the valve stem seals, that's probably a bonus.

 

[Carlostrece]

So:
- build up on the valve stems from conventional oil use: prevented major leaking down valve stem seals
- Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 cleaned off these deposits/sludge: Oil starts going by valve stem seals, accumulating in cylinders, creates deposits + blue smoke + noise
- Maxlife 5W-30 conditions valve stem seals, consumption slows, blue smoke stops, deposit build-up stops, noise goes away

At least that'd be my guess at the timeline.

OK. Maybe so. Sounds plausible.

 

[ZeeOSix]

So Mobil 1 FS did something positive for his engine. Based on limited knowledge and not seeking an expert opinion/diagnosis, he incorrectly thinks his engine "doesn't like" Mobil 1, concocts a story as to why, and begins spreading misinformation here.

A phenomenon that is probably quite common here.

I have a related experience with a motor "not liking" a specific oil. My 2000 Hayabusa ... ran various motorcycle specific oil in the specified 10W-40 viscosity like Castrol, Valvoline, Maxima, Spectro, Mobil 1, and it never used any noticeable oil except for the Mobil 1 10W-40 full synthetic motorcycle oil. Never saw any leakage, and never saw any noticeable exhaust smoke. And it used a noticeable amount of oil ... I watch the oil level on all my stuff like a hawk. The Busa has a oil level sight window and I know exactly how much oil it took to bring the level from the Low to Full mark - verified with measured added oil to correlate the level change seen in the sight window. Obviously never used the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil again.

 

[OVERKILL]

I have a related experience with a motor "not liking" a specific oil. My 2000 Hayabusa ... ran various 10W-40 specific and specified 10W-40 oils like Castrol, Valvoline, Maxima, Spectro, Mobil 1, and it never used any noticeable oil except for the Mobil 1 10W-40 full synthetic motorcycle oil. Never saw any leakage, and never saw any noticeable exhaust smoke. And it used a noticeable amount of oil ... I watch the oil level on all my stuff like a hawk. The Busa has a oil level sight window and I know exactly how much oil it took to bring the level from the Low to Full mark - verified with measured added oil to correlate to the level change in the sight window. Obviously never used the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil again.

Reminds me of my Expedition drinking AMSOIL AZO 0W-30, no other oil, just that one, lol. Mobil 1 AFE 0W-30? Stayed full the whole OCI, lol.

 

[Hohn]

I should be able to get that VVT actuator off Thursday night and I'll have some good insight into 1) the leak source and 2) the amount of crud still inside the engine.

I stopped using Valvoline Restore and Protect because it was obvious the Valvoline Restore and Protect was working and I figured before this thing gets too clean to tell, I'd like to run the API SN Mobil 1 to see if it would also clean (as was reputed to do).

Now, I can't say I've seen any actual cleaning, and I won't know for sure really until I cut this filter open and take a look. But it sure seems plausible that the Mobil 1 is removing some crud that was slowing or preventing some leaks from the usual J35a7 locations-- VVT actuator, oil filter adapter, etc.

I think removing that VVT housing will be some useful insight. I'm curious how much buildup is inside it, and how much (if any) blockage of the screen in the gasket has occurred.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Now, I can't say I've seen any actual cleaning, and I won't know for sure really until I cut this filter open and take a look. But it sure seems plausible that the Mobil 1 is removing some crud that was slowing or preventing some leaks from the usual J35a7 locations-- VVT actuator, oil filter adapter, etc.

Those areas are subjected to oil pressure, and probably use an O-ring to seal. I don't recall if you said any leaks appeared in areas that are not under oil pressure? I've replaced the O-ring on the oil cooler on two Nissan VQ35 engines as they just started leaking with age. I used new aftermarket silicone gaskets to help resistant the heat over time.

 

[Foreman04]

Thanks a lot for the information.
This is my source as posted initially:
https://torcousa.com/blogs/news/pol...DZH8GvRK0qqW3crTRbBujZZITizR3J23vXhRJqFOmRRjT

Also, I've never said that there is vinegar in ester containing oils. I just compared the smell of non-ester vs ester oil and sensed the acidic smell which I associated as vinegary.
I've smelled also ester containing 2-stroke oils back in the days like Castrol 747 and they have similar acidic smell.

Agree, there was a lot of excess information given in the “post” which really didn’t pertain to what you said.