Originally Posted By: OldDirtyBaytown
When did this stuff go from utter [censored] to the high-water mark for conventional oils?
Has Pennzoil changed it up
that much over the last 10-12 yrs, or was it undeserved bad rep.? I'm sure I'm not the only one who heard horror stories. It was partially (or even directly) blamed for engines sludging up & catastrophic engine failures back in the day, rightfully so or not.
But then I read about recent Oil analysis with YB in newer motors saying it's good to 5-6k, whats really going on? Was it really improved that much?
And yes, I realize there's a former Pennzoil employee on this board. Maybe he can shed some light... or maybe that's why members on here are buying up YB in the first place? I haven't seen a frenzy for YB (or AutoRX) on other automotive forums.
Inquiring minds want to know... my case specifically would be a '93 Nissan KA24DE in Houston summer (6-month summer) @ 95*/Gridlock traffic daily to Dusty job-sites @ 3-4 OCIs, synthetic is not an option. Pretty much worst-case scenario
I'm thinking 10w30 or a thick 5w
I did not read all the other post as this question comes up a lot on another board I frequent. UOA's and people personal experience just plain tell us Pennzoil YB is good stuff. But the question always comes up "what happened because Pennzoil was garbage/caused sludge etc."
Here it is.
Back a few years Pennzoil was the leading brand of motor oil on the road.... huge market share. Also back then motors were not efficient at all. Car "maintenance" was not what it is today. There were no "Jiffy Lubes" on every corner etc. so folks didn't change oil as much. Crank ventilation solutions consisted of a hose hanging under the car from the valve covers.
So motors sludged/failed etc. and more than often Pennzoil was in the sump. So Pennzoil got blamed when poor maintenance/engine design etc. should have been blamed.
So bottom line is engines are more efficient/People are more aware of maintenance and have access to inexpensive/convenient oil changes etc. Oils are much more robust today for sure...but the factors I mention have much to do with the "myth" that Pennzoil was a "bad" oil 20 years ago. Just is not true at all.