PUP 5W-30 observations - Getting darker and burning faster than Kirkland?

[bighead2586]

My car is a 2014 Accord V6 with a manual transmission. Mileage sits at 27,000. I've had it since it had 13.5K about 16 months ago. My 1st two oil changes I used Kirkland 0W20. After the 2nd Kirkland change I sent it to Blackstone for analysis and the results were very good, so not much to discuss there. Somewhat surprisingly though, I had to add about half a quart at just under 4,000 miles into the OCI.

For the most recent oil change I switched to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30, and I was somewhat hopeful that the higher viscosity might help decrease the oil burning. Fast forward to today (3500 miles into the OCI), and not only is my dipstick down a half quart, but the oil appears noticeably darker to my eye than the Kirkland did at a slightly higher mileage. I will grant that I have no pic to compare the colors of oil on the dipstick,, nor did I measure the oil levels with anything approaching laboratory precision, but to me it seems like something rather than nothing.

Can I read much into this? Is it possible that the PUP is "cleaning" the engine passages somewhat, leading to the darker color? Also why would it be losing oil faster than it did with a thinner oil? Also I know half a quart isn't much for 3500 miles, but isn't that not a great sign for an engine with 27K on the clock?

 

[Blueshound]

I don't know about your specific question. But have always had suspicion about lack of Ford certification for PUP where PP qualifies... Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

My 2008 V6 Accord burns oil at roughly that same rate as well, but fluctuates by brand as well, and I've found that 5W-30 Mobil 1 EP High Mileage slows it down better than anything else I've used, so that's what I've settled on.

That's after having tried all the following, some of which multiple times:

Supertech Full Syn HM 0W-20
Valvoline Advanced HM 0W-20
Pennzoil Platinum HM 0W-20 and 5W-30
Pennzoil blend HM 5W-30
Castrol Edge HM 5W-30
Castrol Magnatec 0W-20
Castrol GTX HM 5W-30
Mobil Super 5000 5W-20
Mobil 1 EP HM 0W-20 and 5W-30

So that would be my advice to you. Give Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 a try next time and see what you think. There's definitely a realness to the notion that some engines "like" certain oils, for whatever reason.

 

[Sienna dude]

27,000 mile oil burner? Nah, start looking for leaks. The thing has been parked there for 11 years, look for leaks. Take it to a mechanic and do a thorough check up.

 

[Glenda W.]

In 2012 I tried PUP after all the hype here and other places. Oil consumption drastically went up for me too. I switched back to M1 and never had the problem again. Looking back I should have tried a couple oci’s of PUP before ditching it.

As far as color it’s different for every oil. Some darken quicker than others.

 

[User_19876]

My Ram has about 12,000 miles, and I’ve been running PUP 0W-40. It doesn’t appear to burn a drop of oil. The PUP is, however, darker straight out of the bottle than any M1, Kirkland, Supertech, or QS I’ve ever used in other vehicles.

 

[Samurai1225]

2023 Civic Type R.. I had been using a variety of oils PUP, Kirkland, dealership bulk...etc. On my first OCI of HPL Premium Plus the oil darkened up noticeably fast. Conversely I'm 4000 mile into my 2nd OCI of the HPL and the oil had not darkened nearly as much as the first. I'd like to think this is due to the cleaning properties of the HPL.

 

[Bud_One]

Just my two cents, but I'd say this Accord is a prime candidate for some Valvoline R&P .

 

[walterjay]

When I used PUP in my SantaFe 3.3 it used oil whereas with QS there was no consumption.

 

[Whimsey]

We have a 2017 2.3L EcoBoost Explorer. It's on it's 3rd PUP 5W-30 oil change and it doesn't use any measurable amount of oil. But from new it hasn't used any measurable amount of oil either on plain Mobil 1 5W-30 which it has used since it's first oil change, except for 1 Mobil 1 5W-30 ESP change right before I started using PUP 5W-30.

 

[bighead2586]

In 2012 I tried PUP after all the hype here and other places. Oil consumption drastically went up for me too. I switched back to M1 and never had the problem again. Looking back I should have tried a couple oci’s of PUP before ditching it.

As far as color it’s different for every oil. Some darken quicker than others.

I have enough PUP left for another change. I think I'll use it again and track the color/burning and see if it changes one way or the other. If it doesn't get better then maybe switch to Restore and Protect or an M1 high mileage oil after that to see if it helps.

 

[cammyfive79]

My car is a 2014 Accord V6 with a manual transmission. Mileage sits at 27,000. I've had it since it had 13.5K about 16 months ago. My 1st two oil changes I used Kirkland 0W20. After the 2nd Kirkland change I sent it to Blackstone for analysis and the results were very good, so not much to discuss there. Somewhat surprisingly though, I had to add about half a quart at just under 4,000 miles into the OCI.

For the most recent oil change I switched to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30, and I was somewhat hopeful that the higher viscosity might help decrease the oil burning. Fast forward to today (3500 miles into the OCI), and not only is my dipstick down a half quart, but the oil appears noticeably darker to my eye than the Kirkland did at a slightly higher mileage. I will grant that I have no pic to compare the colors of oil on the dipstick,, nor did I measure the oil levels with anything approaching laboratory precision, but to me it seems like something rather than nothing.

Can I read much into this? Is it possible that the PUP is "cleaning" the engine passages somewhat, leading to the darker color? Also why would it be losing oil faster than it did with a thinner oil? Also I know half a quart isn't much for 3500 miles, but isn't that not a great sign for an engine with 27K on the clock?

I have the same year in an Acura TSX that I bought 6 months ago with almost the exact mileage yours had. I immediately started the VRP regiment as that was right around the time people were posting some success stories even though I had no idea if it was using oil or not. Almost 6K in over 2 OCIs and I check the oil every fuel stop and it doesn't use a drop. Maybe try VRP "just because" as there is certainly no downside to it. Treasure that manual J35......one of the last really fun Hondas.

 

[Bear906]

Anecdotal, but for what it's worth--

Ran an OCI with PUP 10W30 in my Kia Soul Plus with the 2.0 GDI. Noted significantly increased oil consumption--64 ounces added over 5000 miles--and the oil turned jet black.

After changing the oil back to the usual Mobil Super Synthetic 5W30, oil consumption returned to what it was before: 40 ounces added over 5000 miles. Oil stayed clean-looking for much longer than in prior OCIs.

DId the PUP dissove some significant gunk in my motor and hold it in suspension? In my case, I think it did.

 

[bighead2586]

I have the same year in an Acura TSX that I bought 6 months ago with almost the exact mileage yours had. I immediately started the VRP regiment as that was right around the time people were posting some success stories even though I had no idea if it was using oil or not. Almost 6K in over 2 OCIs and I check the oil every fuel stop and it doesn't use a drop. Maybe try VRP "just because" as there is certainly no downside to it. Treasure that manual J35......one of the last really fun Hondas.

Yeah the car is fun. I have a safe uphill straightaway on my home from work that is just asking for a quick 6K RPM+ run through the gears and I do it pretty often (4-5 times a month) Maybe that's why I'm burning through the oil?

 

[bighead2586]

Anecdotal, but for what it's worth--

Ran an OCI with PUP 10W30 in my Kia Soul Plus with the 2.0 GDI. Noted significantly increased oil consumption--64 ounces added over 5000 miles--and the oil turned jet black.

After changing the oil back to the usual Mobil Super Synthetic 5W30, oil consumption returned to what it was before: 40 ounces added over 5000 miles. Oil stayed clean-looking for much longer than in prior OCIs.

DId the PUP dissove some significant gunk in my motor and hold it in suspension? In my case, I think it did.

Hmm that is intereting. Looking forward to see what happens in my next OCI. I'm a couple months out.

 

[wlk]

Different motors, but there is something true about Different motors like/not burning different brands. My kid had a Volvo C30, which would burn M1, Castrol Euros, but not Pennzoil Euro L 5w30. I'd change around and try a different brand. I've had M1 HMs not slow a leak but had very good success with Maxlife red bottle and Havoline slowing leaks. Maybe try a HM and see if it helps. Or VRP if something may be gummed up on the rings by chance.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

Different oils can burn at different rates. Try Valvoline Restore and Protect.

Also the leak theory is good…