Restore & Protect - GDI Intake Valve Deposits
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4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Huh, I just watched that ! Some good discussion …
A guy on the Colorado FB group said he picked up a ZR2 with the 3.6L that had 28k miles on it. Engine was spotless but had significant buildup on intake valves.
Valvoline Restore and Protect doesn't meet dexos "officially" so I've held off using it but I am intrigued based on what they engineer said about it's potential to help mitigate IVD. On the flip side I also wonder if AMSOIL Signature Series/HPL can achieve a similar result.
"The ECM for the 3.6L has extremely retarded exhaust valve timing for the cruise regime. That creates an EGR effect by allowing the exhaust valve to still be open for quite a while when the intake valve is opening. The downward moving piston pulls in some fresh air, and some exhaust. The piston begins to push up, and some of the inward rushing exhaust is actually pushed back out the intake valve (and also out the exhaust valve). This allows exhaust to meet oil mist on the intake tract to form deposits there. The oil mist comes from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, and is most evident during heavy load. The carbon buildup is there by design. It’s to mitigate exhaust emissions, but at the cost of engine longevity. Go figure."
Valvoline Restore and Protect doesn't meet dexos "officially" so I've held off using it but I am intrigued based on what they engineer said about it's potential to help mitigate IVD. On the flip side I also wonder if AMSOIL Signature Series/HPL can achieve a similar result.
"The ECM for the 3.6L has extremely retarded exhaust valve timing for the cruise regime. That creates an EGR effect by allowing the exhaust valve to still be open for quite a while when the intake valve is opening. The downward moving piston pulls in some fresh air, and some exhaust. The piston begins to push up, and some of the inward rushing exhaust is actually pushed back out the intake valve (and also out the exhaust valve). This allows exhaust to meet oil mist on the intake tract to form deposits there. The oil mist comes from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, and is most evident during heavy load. The carbon buildup is there by design. It’s to mitigate exhaust emissions, but at the cost of engine longevity. Go figure."
What is in the oil that makes it clean over other similar tier oils. That is my interest. The plan mandated emission warranty requirements make the engines last too long, the auto manufactures is to make cars such garbage that we will want to lease them.
No one knows other than Valvoline at this point.
Yes, some will make it through the valve stem seals, and if the cause of the buildup is oil vapours from the PCV (I don't buy that) then that hasn't changed.
I went with an ester oil for the same reason. It's advertised as leaving no oil related deposits in the combustion chamber or ring pack so I doubt it will on the intake valves.
Personally I think most GDI deposits come from flow reversal during the exhaust phase. Turbo engines create more back pressure in the exhaust and the close location of the turbo could mean pressure waves make it back into the cylinder at certain RPM. I can very well see some pressurised exhaust gas still present when the intake valve opens
with VVT that could easily be programmed out. Some turbo engines do it to spool up the turbo faster: there's exhaust gas going through the turbine but the overlap means there's not much resistance for the compressor side and the turbo can spool very quickly. This would be time limited of course.
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Actual quote: "The Valvoline Restore and Protect, I think, will help that (IVD) some....". It seems he's entirely speculating.
I think it's a bit of a leap to assume that because the oil can clean pistons, that it will also clean intake valves, especially when the deposits are largely made up of oil additives.
Detergents and dispersants help keep an engine clean, but they actually make valve deposits worse according to the studies I've seen.
For me , it’s CRC Intake Valve Cleaner every 10K - 12K miles along with the occasional sustained 4K RPM’s for 20 minutes on the interstate to cook off intake valve deposits (Italian Tune Up) . Conversely , I would like to think that a decent synthetic oil from Valvoline , Mobil , SOPUS , etc. would not contribute to intake valve deposits to the extent oils before say 2020 may have contributed to the issue . If Valvoline Restore and Protect could help with intake valve deposits in GDI engines - that would be a plus !
Alkylated naphthalenes?
You would think that the rings have in general more contact with the oil than the intake valves. No?
It's like washing your face with soap and water and hoping that back of your hand will get clean as well. It may a little if you wash your face 100 times.
I could be totally wrong here but it doesn't sound too realistic at the moment but I also have a very limited knowledge of engine designs!
What's next? Valvoline Restore and Protect reduces blood pressure?
It does reduce anxiety having a cleaner engine though!
It's like washing your face with soap and water and hoping that back of your hand will get clean as well. It may a little if you wash your face 100 times.
I could be totally wrong here but it doesn't sound too realistic at the moment but I also have a very limited knowledge of engine designs!
What's next? Valvoline Restore and Protect reduces blood pressure?
It does reduce anxiety having a cleaner engine though!
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
If someone wants to lower IVD using certain oil, than that would be oils with MB229.52 approvals because Noack is limited to max 10%. However, there is no oil that will fix poorly designed PCV.
Valvoline Restore and Protect is just another ILSAC oil with new marketing hype.
Valvoline Restore and Protect is just another ILSAC oil with new marketing hype.
Since we are talking about intake valve deposits, I was at a Costco filling up yesterday and was reading their placard on the pump. It stated "helps remove IVD's already existing." They recently reformulated their Lubrizol additive for better results for DI engines.
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But never has burning oil, and money, felt so good LOL.
I will give it a shot and give my honest feedback after trying it.
I remember reading that low SA or low-SAPS oil or ACEA C3 (mid-SAPS) are better if concerned with IVD.
Not sure if this was an undisputed fact or not since there are so many variables when it comes to IVD. I finally kind of gave up on it.
For example Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 is MB 229.51 & C3
I think 229.51 is mid-saps & HTHS >= 3.5 and Noack <= 10%. No?
What are the major differences between 229.52 and 51?
That's been the general theory but from what I've seen they all get deposit buildup. There really isn't much you can do and it doesn't appear to be a problem in most cases. Most synthetics today have a Noack <10%, especially EP lines. Noack actually isn't the only concern either. Ash level, oxidation resistance of base oil and solvency. The oil coming in contact is still whole oil in mist or vapor form.I remember reading that low SA or low-SAPS oil or ACEA C3 (mid-SAPS) are better if concerned with IVD.
Not sure if this was an undisputed fact or not since there are so many variables when it comes to IVD. I finally kind of gave up on it.
For example Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 is MB 229.51 & C3
I think 229.51 is mid-saps & HTHS >= 3.5 and Noack <= 10%. No?
What are the major differences between 229.52 and 51?
It would be interesting to run a test of MB229.52 vs FS HPL, Red Line and AMSOIL Signature Series in terms of IVD's.
HPL mentions how "These oils are formulated with specifically chosen esters that can help minimize intake valve deposits"
HPL No VII may be really good for limiting them if the VI is one of the causes. Or oils in general with less VII.
...so it's not unreasonable to think Valvoline Restore and Protect could in theory do the same. Especially if it's capable of removing piston deposits. I think the issue is not enough of it would come in contact with the valves to make a difference.
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
It wasn’t a theory. Lubrizol did study where VW 502.00 left 167% more deposits than VW504.00. We posted that in Euro section numerous times.
As for Noack, we don’t really know what is Noack of EP etc. as no specification requires Noack as low as 10%. Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 having Noack 9.1% would make me hesitant to say that EP is below 10%.
