The "V" word...

[fuel tanker man]

I've been an active member and/or lurker here for quite some time.

One thing I've picked up on is this notion that Valvoline oils are apparently overrated, or at least over priced for what you get.

Generally, VOA's are shown to bolster this idea.

On the other hand, we see knowledgeable folks point out (correctly, I believe) that there is more to a VOA than meets the eye.

But move to the Valvoline used oil analysis and we generally see good results. Good results from a presumably "bad oil."

And conversely, many here sing the praises of Redline oils--at 8 to 10 bucks a quart. VOA's look awesome. Only problem is, nearly without exception, Redline used oil analysis are crappy as all get out!

Isn't the Used Oil Analysis really the final arbiter of whether an oil is doing its job?

Dan

 

[benjamming]

quote:

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Originally posted by fuel tanker man:
Isn't the Used Oil Analysis really the final arbiter of whether an oil is doing its job?

Dan

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Actually it's the correct interpretation of the UOA that matters.

 

[fuel tanker man]

Good point. Knowing what you're looking at and where it all came from has got to be key.

Dan

 

[haley10]

Redline used oil analysis may look not so good, M1 has shown high iron in many cases, but it may not be that simple to jump to conclusions. Some oils now may have antimony which is not generally tested for and may show misleading results as a weak add pak and wear metals in uoa.

I think voa testing will be modified as time goes on and an expert interpretation may be called for at least until GF-4 SM become more familiar.

 

[T-Keith]

used oil analysis are the final word, but while Valvoline has put out some good ones, it seems to have more bad ones as well. I don't think Valvoline oils are junk, but there are better oils for the same or less price.

Keep in mind that formulations change and they're changing a lot right now.

-T

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by T-Keith:
used oil analysis are the final word...

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[Terry]

As I have posted here in the past Valvoline and Ashland oil company have cutting edge engine/lube testing facilities and because of that the R&D in the Valvoline oils is exceptional.

I have been dissapointed in the past with what I personally felt was marketing driven limitations on the fine chemists and engineering that the R&D side was doing.

This is changing recently as used oil analysis we see (and we see many) are improving overall with the Valvoline formulations. They are also exceptional marketers but the money invested to boost what I think Valvoline should and can produce is being spent again.

The SM/GF4 and HDD changes are driving better quality oils that each company is striving to make to capture market share.

Benjamming is right on, Properly interpreted UOA is an exceptional way to determine in YOUR machine how any lube is performing.

Now having a ad hoc committee at BITOG evaluate any analysis with any degree of accuracy may be suspect as 427 alludes too.

 

[SWS]

My personal "feelings", after using Valvoline All-Climate 5w30 for 50K miles in my '00 Honda Odyssey from 2000-2004, OCI every 3500 miles:
1) This oil is OK. Nothing to worry about in using it.
2) I think that there are better conventional oils, like Pennzoil, which I used in my '97 Camry from 1997-2004.
3) My observations are mainly based on the "cleaning" action that occured when I switched both cars to M1 in mid-2004. I thought the Odyssey was very clean internally, but M1 cleaned it up more than I expected! Meanwhile, my Camry Sludge Motor, using Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 on the same OCI did not experience as much cleaning action.
4) Also, I track oil color and was surprised a few times at how the Odyssey's Valvoline oil would change color rather quickly at ~3000 miles.
5) Since I have used M1 (now on 3rd batch in each car), I observe that the oil in both cars stays clear.

My comments are based on unscientific perceived performance of the oil (no VOA, no UOA) and not cost.

As was stated in another post above, the new SM oils are probably going to change things for all oils. I hope that Valvoline has taken the opportunity to enhance their offerings.

I have used Valvoline in various new cars for 25 years without problems, but I was always somewhat bothered by the thin "crust" / varnish(?) I saw developing on the non-contact portions of the valve train. I thought that this was normal, and maybe it is, but I understand now that there are engine oils that don't do that. My thought is that if crust builds-up on the valve train, then it is probably sticking on the rings in the same way.

 

[Jay]

quote:

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Originally posted by fuel tanker man:


Isn't the Used Oil Analysis really the final arbiter of whether an oil is doing its job?

Dan

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Yes.

The BITOG contingent that buys their oil by the ppm of adds that show up on the VOA is slow to catch on to the fact that more of something isn't always better, and that not all AF/AW adds show on the VOA.

 

[2004 F150 4x4]

My boss has an 88' Ford T-Bird with the small V-8. It has around 140000 miles, he drives it daily and it does'nt leak a drop of oil. He has used Valvoline 10w-40 !!!! it's whole life. Is there better oil out there, yes. But it certainly has hurt his car (which he bought new). I'll bet there are'nt many people here that can beat his record, in time anyway, probably could with mileage. 17 year old, DOMESTIC, Valvoline oil changed car still driven daily. I'm impressed.

 

[VeeDubb]

From what I've seen, Valvoline Synpower used oil analysis have been very good, mostly with wear below universal averages in healthy engines. Valvoline Conventional oils have just been average. I personally don't place much stock in VOA's. They don't show everything (witness the recent discussions on antimony), give us no clue about the mix of base oils, and tell us nothing about how the adds should be combined with the mix of base oils. Yet people continue to use VOA's to bash Valvoline which I don't get. But life goes on.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

There's been a lot of "free" Valvoline available and that works for me.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by Terry:
Now having a ad hoc committee at BITOG evaluate any analysis with any degree of accuracy may be suspect as 427 alludes too.

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As the Brits would say, "spot on".