Valvoline R&P Oil Burner Test Results

[Patman]

Sometimes you can go to Costco pumps around 6-7pm and there are no lines. If you are only around on weekends then good luck.

The Costco near my girlfriend’s house is awesome, I typically get gas there at 5pm on a Saturday and I rarely have to wait for a pump. Worst case scenario I have waited maybe 5 minutes but that has only happened 2 or 3 times in the past 3 years.

 

[buster]

Also Glenda while I do agree they were not using VRP, I truly don't see their base oils or add pack being much different in VRP vs their other synthetics in my view. This may be controversial but there is no reason for me to believe at Longer OCIs (which I do not do) VRP could also leave a little varnish behind. Of course this is me speaking with no evidence of this. Just my own humble opinion lol.


As for M1 "vanilla" I will be the first to tell you I have been disappointed with what I see as vapor varnish in my valve cover. So I do agree there also.

At some point VRP will start to oxidize and eventually overrun the detergent/dispersant and whatever cleans to leave something behind. There is definitely a limit, for all oils, where it goes south.

From what I have read it seems to me that most of your off-shelf oils that don't appear to use POE/AN rely on really good oxidation resistance with good dispersant/detergent package. Torco's website has a nice blog that talks about their use of AN/POE/mPAO and they mention solvency benefits of esters. My guess is that is what separates ultra-premium from premium oils. You do get what you pay for generally speaking.

I wonder if Torco consults with Dr. Rudnick being they seem to also use that Tri-syn base.

 

[Glenda W.]

Also Glenda while I do agree they were not using VRP, I truly don't see their base oils or add pack being much different in VRP vs their other synthetics in my view. This may be controversial but there is no reason for me to believe at Longer OCIs (which I do not do) VRP could also leave a little varnish behind. Of course this is me speaking with no evidence of this. Just my own humble opinion lol.


As for M1 "vanilla" I will be the first to tell you I have been disappointed with what I see as vapor varnish in my valve cover. So I do agree there also.

You could be right. I’ve said before that besides cleaning nothing else seems extraordinary with R&P as it seems to shear in my Subaru between 3-4k miles.

 

[Titan]

Wax your chain - I'm at 5000km on my chains and they are still good

Mountain bike...not road bike. Just too much mud/grit/sand.

 

[tired]

Valvoline has always stated that four (minimum) or more, consecutive OCI are required, not "up to four".


https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/restore-protect/
"With continuous use, Restore & Protect Motor Oil removes up to 100% of deposits and prevents future deposit formation, restoring engines to run like factory clean.

*Piston deposit removal when used as directed for four or more consecutive oil changes at standard maintenance intervals based on adapted sequence IIIH testing."

Thanks. Appreciate the correction. I hadn't checked the claim myself and had always heard it was "up to 4 OCIs."

 

[tired]

You could be right. I’ve said before that besides cleaning nothing else seems extraordinary with R&P as it seems to shear in my Subaru between 3-4k miles.

Is this based on how the engine sounds around the 3-4k mark or have you done UOAs?

 

[Glenda W.]

Is this based on how the engine sounds around the 3-4k mark or have you done UOAs?

I’ve done UOA’s in the past and always drop a grade. I have not done a R&P UOA so it’s unscientific observations.

 

[ChrisD46]

Honestly I’m not sure either. The ester formula was highly regarded by Dave at HPL. AN’s are also thought to be a less expensive option. I’m running the 0w30 in all my vehicles and the ones I maintain currently. I’m also in the middle of a varnish removal test in which I’ll be reporting on in the fall.

My last fill in two vehicles was M1 0W30 ESP. I have a jug of M1 5W30 ESP to try next in one vehicle where as the other vehicle just started the first fill of VR&P . I thought the M1 0W30 ESP ran well in both vehicles. I also am curious if an ester based formula (M1 0W30 ESP) cleans better than the AN based formula (M1 5W30) or do they clean about the same ?

 

[Shel_B]

My last fill in two vehicles was M1 0W30 ESP. I have a jug of M1 5W30 ESP to try next in one vehicle where as the other vehicle just started the first fill of VR&P . I thought the M1 0W30 ESP ran well in both vehicles. I also am curious if an ester based formula (M1 0W30 ESP) cleans better than the AN based formula (M1 5W30) or do they clean about the same ?

That's a question that I have as well. But what does better mean? Might it mean that the ester formula is more aggressive, and cleane more rapidly? Or might it clean deposits tthat the AN formula is unable to clean?

If the AN is just slower to clean, I'm fine with that. A slower, more gentle approach is just fine with me. But if the AN formula leaves things that the ester formula gets, maybe that's not as satisfactory.

I'm also interested in what other differences there may be in the oils' chemistries, and why those differences may exist.

Honestly I’m not sure either. The ester formula was highly regarded by Dave at HPL. AN’s are also thought to be a less expensive option.

The cost of the AN is of little importance to me. I care about how well it works.

I saw your chart on the XW-40 oils. Do you have something similar for the XW-30 grades?

 

[Glenda W.]

That's a question that I have as well. But what does better mean? Might it mean that the ester formula is more aggressive, and cleane more rapidly? Or might it clean deposits tthat the AN formula is unable to clean?

If the AN is just slower to clean, I'm fine with that. A slower, more gentle approach is just fine with me. But if the AN formula leaves things that the ester formula gets, maybe that's not as satisfactory.

I'm also interested in what other differences there may be in the oils' chemistries, and why those differences may exist.


The cost of the AN is of little importance to me. I care about how well it works.

I saw your chart on the XW-40 oils. Do you have something similar for the XW-30 grades?

Sorry I do not. I believe it’s buried in one of LSJR’s vids.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Just passed 5k miles on my 4th and final oci of Valvoline R&P for a total of 20k miles. It’s been hard to keep my mouth shut but here are the details and results!!

2018 Subaru Outback that I bought new. Started burning oil right at about 60k miles. Before that it only used about a 1/4 quart in a 5k mile oci. It started using 1 quart in 5k miles and steadily increased to almost 3 quarts in 5k miles. I was adding a little over a quart every 2k miles when I started this test. I have done every service myself on this vehicle including the pcv valve on time. I’ve only used a couple high quality full synthetic oils at 5k mile oci’s since new. The internals have always been spotless. I used a borescope and found oil wash on 3 pistons confirming my suspicion of stuck low tension oil rings. Here are the oils I’ve used in detail.

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

Results with R&P:

1st oci=no change

2nd oci= no change(almost gave up)

3rd oci=added 1/2 qt at 2k miles, 1/2 qt at 4k miles! Used a little over a quart in 5k mile oci.

4th oci=added 1/2 quart at 3k miles and used a total of less than 3/4 quart in 5k mile oci.

So R&P has improved my oil consumption from almost 3 quarts per 5k miles to less than 3/4 quarts in 5k miles. Not 100% but not to shabby if you ask me. I highly recommend people give R&P a try for at least 4 oci’s.

My plan is to run M1 ESP 0w30 for the foreseeable future. I want to see if this oil will keep my piston rings as is. I will continue to update this thread with any changes.

I'm confused. Why not just run RP for the duration?

 

[Glenda W.]

I'm confused. Why not just run RP for the duration?

Just for the sake of experimentation and curiosity since I have the perfect test vehicle. I can always go back to R&P.

 

[JAG]

Alkylated napthalenes are generally less polar than ester types used in motor oils, but they still have been shown to clean deposits. I have never seen a thorough study of the cleaning capabilities of ANs and esters. Esters have weaknesses that are too rarely mentioned.
Source: https://issuu.com/kim0824/docs/4_jul_aug_2020/s/10807134

When used for the first time in a press, the alkylated naphthalene dissolved the old deposits on drive roller friction liners that had formed from oxidation by-products of the previously used oil.

 

[martinq]

Is everyone here keeping up with the DIYDave Corolla saga on YT? He just pulled out the pistons and they were very clean. Would be great if someone could do an engine cleaning shootout...

 

[tired]

Is everyone here keeping up with the DIYDave Corolla saga on YT? He just pulled out the pistons and they were very clean. Would be great if someone could do an engine cleaning shootout...

What is he running? I'm not following it.

 

[cammyfive79]

Is everyone here keeping up with the DIYDave Corolla saga on YT? He just pulled out the pistons and they were very clean. Would be great if someone could do an engine cleaning shootout...

I've watched a few of his videos just by searching VRP, HPL, etc. Poor guy has tried every suggested method to nurse that oil thirsty Corolla along. Last I watched, he was adding a quart just about every 400-500 miles; he certainly has more patience than I do.

 

[Bill7]

Sorry to go slightly off topic. I am considering a Valvoline R&P 10k OCI.

Would anyone know if the cleaning ingredient in Valvoline R&P would keep cleaning for the full 10k OCI?
Also, has anyone tried a 10k OCI with Valvoline R&P?

I've seen a few posts here on BITOG critical of Valvoline R&P as not an extended drain oil.
But wondering if the UOA's for 10K OCI with Valvoline R&P have shown it's just as good as Mobil 1, Amsoil, etc for a 10k OCI?

 

[martinq]

Sorry to go slightly off topic. I am considering a Valvoline R&P 10k OCI.

Would anyone know if the cleaning ingredient in Valvoline R&P would keep cleaning for the full 10k OCI?
Also, has anyone tried a 10k OCI with Valvoline R&P?

I've seen a few posts here on BITOG critical of Valvoline R&P as not an extended drain oil.
But wondering if the UOA's for 10K OCI with Valvoline R&P have shown it's just as good as Mobil 1, Amsoil, etc for a 10k OCI?

Valvoline does not recommend VRP for extended drain intervals. The directions say to follow the MFG recommended drain interval for a minimum of four, consecutive, OCI to achieve the cleaning affect.

If you want to try extended OCI with VRP I would recommend doing a standard used oil analysis.

 

[Cosa]

Is everyone here keeping up with the DIYDave Corolla saga on YT? He just pulled out the pistons and they were very clean. Would be great if someone could do an engine cleaning shootout...

DIYDave has been trying everything suggested by his viewers over the last 4 years. As an experiment, he wanted to try everything prior to doing a teardown, which he finally did.

TLDR or Watch: In order, he tried Seafoam, Marvel Mystery Oil, Motor Medic Motor Flush, PCV valve, Bar's stop leak, Replaced Valve stem seals, Supertech Motor Treatment, 2 rounds of Berryman's B12 Chemtool piston soaks, ATS 505 CRO, Yamalube Ring Free, BG 109 EPR, HPL EC, HPL 5W-30 No VII, BG Dynamic Platinum Engine Restoration (the 2 gallon treatment), Valvoline Premium Blue Restore.

Of all that, the Berryman's B12 soaks made the most difference in consumption, but not much.

On teardown, the rings were all quite clean.

What I found surprising was that despite all these treatments, the engine was still varnished upon disassembly.

 

[Patman]

I've watched a few of his videos just by searching VRP, HPL, etc. Poor guy has tried every suggested method to nurse that oil thirsty Corolla along. Last I watched, he was adding a quart just about every 400-500 miles; he certainly has more patience than I do.

He definitely has so much patience! Most people would have given up a long time ago but his saga has probably added tons more views to his channel so I’m sure he’ll gladly keep going with this as long as possible