Pennzoil Ultra - what do you think

[double vanos]

I changed the oil my wife's 2011 F150 Platinum with Ecoboost engine. It currently has 24,000 miles on it. It got it's first OC at 3000 miles, then 8000 miles then 14,500 all with Motorcraft Full Synthetic 5w30. Always Motorcraft oil filters; FL500s is what it calls for. This oil change was a rather extended one with it showing 12% oil life left and 9500 miles on the oil.

The MC Full Synthetic is a good oil; according to the spec sheets it has better flash and pour points than Mobil 1 (5w30).

Alas, the MC keeps going up in price so I switched over to Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 for this oil change. By the way the exiting oil didn't look too bad at all considering it had 9500 miles of direct injected turbo charged use on it......

So in went the Ultra and when I was doing final oil level check, the PU had already gotten some serious color to it considering it went golden tinted. It had maybe 10 minutes of run time (idling) before I shut the engine down to check for any leaks and the make sure the oil level was spot on.

On the other oil changes with the MC, the final oil level check was always difficult because the oil was near impossible to see, it was so clear.

So what happened? Is it that the 9500 mile OCI left the inside of the engine so dirty that the new oil was instantly darkened? Or does the PU really have such a detergent package that it had already started breaking down the (dirt, varnish or whatever)that perhaps the MC had left the engine with?

Guys I don't what to think: please discuss. This EB engine is a gem: smooth, powerful and I haven't had one problem with it - it hasn't used a drop of oil.

Just wondering what is going on here.

Cheers all!

 

[229]

Maybe a combination of both.

 

[Flying_A]

I wouldn't look too much into it... Both are excellent oils and will meet your needs.

 

[gathermewool]

My guess is that it means nothing, except that it mixed with more-used oil than any previous oil change.

 

[oldmaninsc]

I've been using Ultra in my modular 4.6 engine and it seems to work very well. I'm at 91,000 miles and it passed Ca. smog test today with flying colors.
I've noticed the Ultra does seem to turn a med. brown color - which I like because it's easier to see on the dipstick.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

PU is a great oil. All oils are different in their color changing during engine operation. Some oils turn dark very quickly while still providing excellent protection. I notice that when I used PU or PP, both turned dark within the first 1000 miles of use. However, when I used Mobil 1, it stayed golden brown longer. Is either one better? You will get a million different answers on that, but to me as long as your used oil analysis indicates no problems either MC or PU would be good to use.

 

[Donald]

PU is one of the best oils available (period), and in addition a very good value and easy to get (Walmart). What is not to like?

 

[double vanos]

Thanks for the response guys! While this oil change was with SM GF4 PU, I just got out of the local Walmart and they are freshed stocked with the PU SN GF5, which looking pretty good spec wise. It'll be next for sure.
Cheers!

 

[crazyoildude]

i think it is a little of both... However the pennzoil ultra is amazing i have seen it clean with my own eyes and as for cleaning i think pennzoil ultra is the best i ever saw

 

[Topo]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
i think it is a little of both... However the pennzoil ultra is amazing i have seen it clean with my own eyes and as for cleaning i think pennzoil ultra is the best i ever saw


I have always used Mobil 1, but I like to try PU. But I really can't justify it at this moment, it be liking trading for the same apple. Both are great oils, I can't believe my engine would need the extra cleaning the PU is suppose to give you when I run Synthetic in this motor for thousands of miles. There are the exact same price. I'm just hearing such wonderful things about PU that I might just try it.

 

[Flying_A]

Originally Posted By: Topo
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
i think it is a little of both... However the pennzoil ultra is amazing i have seen it clean with my own eyes and as for cleaning i think pennzoil ultra is the best i ever saw


I have always used Mobil 1, but I like to try PU. But I really can't justify it at this moment, it be liking trading for the same apple. Both are great oils, I can't believe my engine would need the extra cleaning the PU is suppose to give you when I run Synthetic in this motor for thousands of miles. There are the exact same price. I'm just hearing such wonderful things about PU that I might just try it.


I too used be a Mobil 1/Mobil product only guy until I joined this sight... All the SOPUS products are recommended highly here as do I

 

[buster]

I think PU is a really good oil. One of the best. If I wasn't using M1 I would use Pennzoil.

 

[Lyman]

I went though something similar with my Mustang 4.6. I was running Motorcraft oil and switched over to PP. When draining the Motorcraft oil out at the 5k OCI it was always pretty clean and looked real clear. After the switch to PP at the 5k OCI it looked real dark and dirty. The PP is doing a great job of cleaning.

 

[karmatourer]

I just put it in my '94 Crown Vic w/ 65k miles (4.6 also).Good to hear you have had good results.

 

[modularv8]

I did an oil change today with Pennzoil Ultra 5w20 SN/Gf-5 and I noticed it is a different color from the SM formulation. It appeared to be a lighter color and lime green in color. Don't know if that means anything, but I remember being intrigued by M1 having that same color a long time ago.

 

[hemitruck]

i have used m1 since the late seventies and never had an issue with it. that being said in my 11 ram i have been using the Pennzoil ultra. so far i have not developed the hemi tick that is common with these engines.

 

[Highline9]

Originally Posted By: hemitruck
i have used m1 since the late seventies and never had an issue with it. that being said in my 11 ram i have been using the Pennzoil ultra. so far i have not developed the hemi tick that is common with these engines.


My challenger has the tick started hearing it around 12,000 miles. Have used platinum and ultra in it. Just for kicks tried T6 and like how much quieter engine is. Seems to run better too.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: Donald
PU is one of the best oils available (period), and in addition a very good value and easy to get (Walmart). What is not to like?


Right.

I put PU in my new to me '00 Saturn SL2 89 y.o. granny car w/37k miles on it. 20 AC Delco oil changes in 33k miles.

Starts so smooth around Zero F and sounds great.

Sent the AC Delco oil to Blackstone (results today or tomorrow I hope) & will send the 1st round of PU to Blackstone too.

Goal is to keep the rings "uncoked" on this Saturn so it'll not burn oil later in the high mileage zone.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher

Goal is to keep the rings "uncoked" on this Saturn so it'll not burn oil later in the high mileage zone.

The problem on certain Saturn years was the piston design used had no ring oil return holes. That would mean unless you continue the nanny driving, you may burn oil no matter what you do. The best method to keep the rings uncoked would be occasional piston soaks with Kreen.

 

[PZR2874]

Does the EB have an EGR?