Valvoline R&P Oil Burner Test Results

[ltslimjim]

The UOAs seem pretty good.

If Amsoil is so great then why can’t it clean like VRP can? Not trolling here. Earnest question. Any reports you can link to of Amsoil unsticking piston rings?

I think that it’s hard to say if Amsoil had been run since new if she would have developed an oil burner. I think that’s a big assumption. I have read though of many reports of people running Amsoil for extended intervals and getting sludged up engines.

As others have indicated in their replies, Amsoil is formulated for extended use, and by high end formulation choice it will run cleaner than other oils. Highly skeptical of people blaming Amsoil without full context, oil formulation is a balance. How do we know the maintenance habits before tear down and where are your reports of these full context claims?

We don’t know if Amsoil would have cleaned or not with further use in the OP’s experience. What we do know is that it was only ran for 1 interval and the VRP took 3 changes to begin having an impact on consumption (deposits slowly dissolved).

Also, I have no doubt in my mind Amsoil would have resisted the degree of deposits and oil consumption we saw with Valvoline EP as the primary lubrication.

Valvoline EP is a lower price point product. Effective much of the time, but it’s limits should be known. I actually have used Valvoline as one of my primary oil choices for years, but I’m not stuck on one brand. I’ve seen good UOAs with it but UOAs are a measure of engine health not necessarily capable of a direct oil rating extrapolation. Only how effective its use may be indicated in a given context. It can’t be generalized for every other context. Know the limitations of UOAs.

I’ve read and seen tear downs of clean, high mileage vehicles using Amsoil as another poster above highlighted. If there had been wide spread truth to running Amsoil signature products exclusively and having vehicles ruined with sludge, we would have seen those here on BITOG. I simply do not believe in that heresay. Far more experiences with people running Amsoil with good experiences. Condemning a product without full context and details is simply irresponsible.

The OP had a vehicle likely prone to this oil consumption developing. It wasn’t “caused by Valvoline” but a better oil at resisting deposits would have likely gotten better results. Look at the VRP’s results! And that’s with cleaning ability in the fully formulated product. Running clean and resisting deposits is a separate part of oil formulation and I have 100% confidence in stating Amsoil’s signature series is simply better at that than Valvoline’s other products in general. And, that it’s without question better at this if extending the interval.

 

[ChrisD46]

This is exactly why I have been saying that the basic vanilla M1 isn’t as good as it used to be. One needs to step up to EP or ESP or Euro to get the better results (in terms of cleanliness) Thankfully the price difference between vanilla M1 and the better versions is such a small difference that it’s a no brainer which one to choose these days.

^^This^^ … I would add if you are getting varnish with 5K mile OCI’s , then consider dropping down to a 4K mile / 6 month OCI with above oils . Also check your PCV valve - either replace every 30K to 40K miles or remove and spray a little brake cleaner through it to clean and make sure it rattles good !

 

[lakestone]

Source for your TMP ester claims? LSJR says otherwise. Plus Rislone uses TMP ester for cleaning.

I have no oil in my intake track.

Well ma'am, from where I'm sittin', it looks like you got everything under control. You seem to have a good grip on things, so in my opinion, this here topic don't merit no further discussin'. You have yourself a mighty fine day now - and a great week too!

 

[Glenda W.]

Well ma'am, from where I'm sittin', it looks like you got everything under control. You seem to have a good grip on things, so in my opinion, this here topic don't merit no further discussin'. You have yourself a mighty fine day now - and a great week too!

I will. Off to continue investigating the new Walmart exclusive Purolator 20k filter that’s replacing the Endurance.

 

[ltslimjim]

I will. Off to continue investigating the new Walmart exclusive Purolator 20k filter that’s replacing the Endurance.

View attachment 269749

View attachment 269750

Wonder if basically a BOSS?

 

[Glenda W.]

Wonder if basically a BOSS?

Not wire backed. C&P coming soon. Here’s my thread.

Thread 'My Walmart has dropped the Endurance for a new 20k Purolator'

Mar 23, 2025

Over the last 4-5 months I’ve been reporting here that the Endurance shelf at my local Walmart has been shrinking. Today it was totally gone and replaced with a new 20k mile Purolator. I’m guessing it’s a new Walmart exclusive.

• Glenda W.
• Replies: 326
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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• 
• 

 

[Patman]

^^This^^ … I would add if you are getting varnish with 5K mile OCI’s , then consider dropping down to a 4K mile / 6 month OCI with above oils . Also check your PCV valve - either replace every 30K to 40K miles or remove and spray a little brake cleaner through it to clean and make sure it rattles good !

I’m still on the original PCV valve in my 2016 Civic with 268,400km on it. I don’t think PCV valves need replacing as often as they used to in the conventional oil days. They stay clean for a very long time in a lot of engines. I actually have not replaced a PCV valve on any car I have owned since the 90s, and even then they always came out looking clean (I was using synthetic then too) but they only cost $2 and were super easy to replace so I did them once a year.

 

[cammyfive79]

I’m still on the original PCV valve in my 2016 Civic with 268,400km on it. I don’t think PCV valves need replacing as often as they used to in the conventional oil days. They stay clean for a very long time in a lot of engines. I actually have not replaced a PCV valve on any car I have owned since the 90s, and even then they always came out looking clean (I was using synthetic then too) but they only cost $2 and were super easy to replace so I did them once a year.

In my '14 TL SH-AWD with the J37 a clogged PCV valve was often the culprit to oil consumption/burning. In my TSX with the K24 its not a known issue but I still changed it since it was a $25 part and a few minutes of my time.....just to be safe.

 

[Glenda W.]

Exactly. LSJR covered ESP’s use of ester for cleaning and other advantages. Also the move to AN’s in EP and Truck and SUV, thus the drop in virgin oxidation.

To add to this post I dug up the LSJR thread I started and the screen shots JAG took.

 

[tired]

There were a few instances where they mentioned this. One was the LSJ video and the others were articles.

“We were trying to basically minimize deposits, engine wear, friction and heat, and oil formulation is a balance, so you have to pick and choose what you want it to do,” Warholic explained. “What we didn’t know was before the testing that it would remove and reverse the process–that is something you can’t predict by modeling. Restore and Protect removed engine deposits.

“I had never seen anything like it before, and I have eight years at Valvoline and 16 years at a company that makes the additives used in oil formulation.”

Interesting! Thank you so much for finding this.

 

[tired]

My rural route mail carrier drives a 1996ish Subaru Legacy wagon with well over 440k miles (last asked her about 2 years ago now) on it and the valve covers have never been off, no engine or transmission work ever done outside of all fluids being changed with Amsoil since new.

Considering that Subarus built during the 2nd Clinton presidency didn’t exactly compile the most solid record regarding engine gaskets & sealants, I’d say that’s a pretty solid point of reference.

Even though it's an n=1, still an impressive result. Rural mail carrying is hard on cars. Stop and go all day.

Do you know what her interval was?

 

[tired]

Lots of Amsoil SS tear down vids at extremely high mileage(500k+). I’ve never seen a dirty one personally for what it’s worth.

Why didn't you run AMSOIL in your car from the beginning? Again, I'm being earnest.

I've also seen the teardown videos for Schaeffer's 9000 too, one at a million miles. Doesn't seem to be as popular here as AMSOIL though.

 

[tired]

To add to this post I dug up the LSJR thread I started and the screen shots JAG took.

View attachment 269792

View attachment 269793

What are we looking at here? What should we take away?

 

[Brian123]

What are we looking at here? What should we take away?

JAG will explain it!

 

[Glenda W.]

What are we looking at here? What should we take away?

Sorry. Mobil 1 EP and Truck & SUV use AN’s. The ESP oils with high virgin oxidation use esters.

 

[tired]

Sorry. Mobil 1 EP and Truck & SUV uses AN’s. The ESP oils with high virgin oxidation use esters.

I've got so much catching up to do. Ha

 

[Glenda W.]

Why didn't you run AMSOIL in your car from the beginning? Again, I'm being earnest.

I've also seen the teardown videos for Schaeffer's 9000 too, one at a million miles. Doesn't seem to be as popular here as AMSOIL though.

Until this vehicle I believed 5k oci’s on any quality synthetic would keep my pistons clean. Honestly my next new vehicle probably will get SS, HPL, or R&P from day one. Or ESP depending on my results to come.

 

[Brian123]

Until this vehicle I believed 5k oci’s on any quality synthetic would keep my pistons clean. Honestly my next new vehicle probably will get SS, HPL, or R&P from day one.

500-35k miles M1 FS 0w40
35k-100k miles Valvoline EP 5w30
100k-110k Amsoil SS 5w30
110k-130k Valvoline R&P 5w30

I am looking at the oil's you have used, and from 500 miles to 35K, great oil.
What is amazing is that you used a Valvoline oil from 35K to 100K, and I think you stated you had oil consumption issues at 60K
What I am seeing is you had 1 Valvoline oil in your car starting at 35K, the oil consumption issues started at 60K, now 10K is not enough to blame Amsoil SS after your use of Valvoline.

Here is how I see it, 1 Valvoline oil causes or leads to your oil consumption issue, and the other Valvoline oil kind of corrects your oil consumption issue.

 

[tired]

As others have indicated in their replies, Amsoil is formulated for extended use, and by high end formulation choice it will run cleaner than other oils. Highly skeptical of people blaming Amsoil without full context, oil formulation is a balance. How do we know the maintenance habits before tear down and where are your reports of these full context claims?

We don’t know if Amsoil would have cleaned or not with further use in the OP’s experience. What we do know is that it was only ran for 1 interval and the VRP took 3 changes to begin having an impact on consumption (deposits slowly dissolved).

Also, I have no doubt in my mind Amsoil would have resisted the degree of deposits and oil consumption we saw with Valvoline EP as the primary lubrication.

Valvoline EP is a lower price point product. Effective much of the time, but it’s limits should be known. I actually have used Valvoline as one of my primary oil choices for years, but I’m not stuck on one brand. I’ve seen good UOAs with it but UOAs are a measure of engine health not necessarily capable of a direct oil rating extrapolation. Only how effective its use may be indicated in a given context. It can’t be generalized for every other context. Know the limitations of UOAs.

I’ve read and seen tear downs of clean, high mileage vehicles using Amsoil as another poster above highlighted. If there had been wide spread truth to running Amsoil signature products exclusively and having vehicles ruined with sludge, we would have seen those here on BITOG. I simply do not believe in that heresay. Far more experiences with people running Amsoil with good experiences. Condemning a product without full context and details is simply irresponsible.

The OP had a vehicle likely prone to this oil consumption developing. It wasn’t “caused by Valvoline” but a better oil at resisting deposits would have likely gotten better results. Look at the VRP’s results! And that’s with cleaning ability in the fully formulated product. Running clean and resisting deposits is a separate part of oil formulation and I have 100% confidence in stating Amsoil’s signature series is simply better at that than Valvoline’s other products in general. And, that it’s without question better at this if extending the interval.

Appreciate the long reply and thought out answer.

Post in thread 'Unwilling to accept the data, staying with 2-3k oil changes'

Mar 12, 2025

To clarify. Your oil burner has only run Amsoil SS and HPL since new?

If so I have to reevaluate some of my theories on high end oils preventing this problem.

History:

2015 Honda Fit ( non turbo GDI….small 3.5 quart sump ).

Car has only seen 90% highway ( I commute to another city for work ) use and only Amsoil SS or HPL PP 0w30 used.

I change the oil always according to the OLM ( PCV is fine )

When I first bought the car, I was keen and did a few UOA and it proved the OLM was conservative so I just followed it.

Car started consuming oil at around 90,000 miles. Current...

• Just a civilian pilot

• 

Here's just one example of AMSOIL or HPL from day one with appropriate changes, and he still developed an oil burning problem.

 

[Glenda W.]

Appreciate the long reply and thought out answer.

Post in thread 'Unwilling to accept the data, staying with 2-3k oil changes'

Mar 12, 2025

To clarify. Your oil burner has only run Amsoil SS and HPL since new?

If so I have to reevaluate some of my theories on high end oils preventing this problem.

History:

2015 Honda Fit ( non turbo GDI….small 3.5 quart sump ).

Car has only seen 90% highway ( I commute to another city for work ) use and only Amsoil SS or HPL PP 0w30 used.

I change the oil always according to the OLM ( PCV is fine )

When I first bought the car, I was keen and did a few UOA and it proved the OLM was conservative so I just followed it.

Car started consuming oil at around 90,000 miles. Current...

• Just a civilian pilot

• 

Here's just one example of AMSOIL or HPL from day one with appropriate changes, and he still developed an oil burning problem.

Even more mind boggling than my case.