Valvoline R&P Oil Burner Test Results

[buster]

In some ways, it could confirm why Valvoline doesn’t market their oils for extended drains as some engines may suffer deposits like this from extended service. Everything seems fine until oil consumption starts to increase. UOAs have limits in their usefulness to see evidence of change in the piston ring areas.

That said, it’s possible this could happen even on a boutique oil though less likely as they are formulated for extended service. It would’ve been interesting to see if Amsoil Signature Series kept consumption down with regular use prior, but all the same for ESP as the guinea pig; though by comparison is it marketed as an extended service life oil?

Good points. GDI have made it problematic to extend oil life in some engine makes.

The only concern I'd have with the ESP line is the lack of detergent. SA is a bit more complicated. You don't want too little or too much. But there are ashless dispersants and probably other things maybe to compensate for the lower detergent levels.

 

[buster]

They seemed to insinuate that it was developed in a lab. I'd imagine at this point it's no secret (or never) was for the guys with the tools to RE it. The results people are sharing clearly show it works and is cleaning piston deposits, even from using other top brand synthetics.

 

[Elmo Howe]

Costco gas stations are generally not that busy in the first few hours after they open or the last hour before they close.

I’m lucky that the Costco that is less than a mile from my girlfriend’s house is not super busy. Even when I get gas there at 4pm on a Saturday I usually don’t even have to wait for a pump.

Just saw a news article yesterday saying that Costco will be extending the hours of operation for their gas stations. The story didn't say if it was due to " customer feedback ". I didn't renew my Costco membership because of not having the time to wait in line for the 20+ cars ahead of me to fuel up. They do sell very good low priced top tier fuel though.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Just saw a news article yesterday saying that Costco will be extending the hours of operation for their gas stations. The story didn't say if it was due to " customer feedback ". I didn't renew my Costco membership because of not having the time to wait in line for the 20+ cars ahead of me to fuel up. They do sell very good low priced top tier fuel though.

They are all super busy where I live.

Like Atlanta International airport.

 

[zuluplus30]

Am I the only one scratching my head over this? The OP had undoubtedly used top shelf API SN or greater synthetic oils for 110k leading up to the VR&P test phase, 2 of which oils are renowned for their cleaning abilities (M1 and SS). The intervals used were shorter than factory recommendations and the vehicle appears to be routinely driven (15k~ per year). Yet despite all these ideal circumstances, it developed a 3 quart per OCI habit that only VR&P could fix? I’m somewhat skeptical to say the least.

 

[goblin]

...Yet despite all these ideal circumstances, it developed a 3 quart per OCI habit that only VR&P could fix? I’m somewhat skeptical to say the least.

I can add my case, not trying to sway you one way or the other.

Thread 'Valvoline Restore and Protect - 2017 Hyundai 3.3 V6'

Feb 25, 2025

Hi All,
Occasional lurker, first post here. Was planning on crashing @Avery4 's excellent thread about the two VRP tests, because I don't have that much info to share to justify yet another thread, but well, maybe it's not polite to crash other people's threads.

Anyway. I'm an oil snob. There's no other word for it. I'm like that British gentleman who got stuck on a desert island and built three identical huts. When he was eventually found he was asked "Why three huts ?", and he said "Well, the first hut is my house. The second hut is my club. And the third hut - that one...

• goblin
• Replies: 29
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

• 

I wasn't using M1 though. RP in my case. Never done short trips in the cold, but the first 70ish k miles were mostly NYC stop and go traffic.

And keep in mind that I have yet to do a full OC with VRP. I started with an engine full of RP, and VRP being added 1qt/1000 miles as the car was using 1qt/1000 miles.

 

[Hermann]

After all is said and rehashed, IT WORKED

 

[paulri]

Thanks for the detailed analysis. I have not seen any improvement in my Highlander, burning about a quart in 5000 miles, after 3500 miles with VRP, and I did buy a second jug, but after seeing your post, I think I'll try 3 or 4 OCIs. I know my consumption isn't that bad, but I just want to avoid it getting to the point where it burns through a quart every 1000 miles, before I try some of these things to address it.

Like others posting here, I'm surprised that quality synthetics would get you oil consumption at only 60K miles with 5K OCIs.

 

[Glenda W.]

Am I the only one scratching my head over this? The OP had undoubtedly used top shelf API SN or greater synthetic oils for 110k leading up to the VR&P test phase, 2 of which oils are renowned for their cleaning abilities (M1 and SS). The intervals used were shorter than factory recommendations and the vehicle appears to be routinely driven (15k~ per year). Yet despite all these ideal circumstances, it developed a 3 quart per OCI habit that only VR&P could fix? I’m somewhat skeptical to say the least.

I would think the same thing honestly. But it happened…and I don’t work for Valvoline.

Told you all they’d come up with something else in post 14.

 

[JAG]

Thanks…very interesting. Valvoline EP is probably the oil most responsible for the piston deposits and oil consumption. Amsoil SS wasn’t used as long as VRP was, so it may have improved consumption if used longer.

Gasoline is the main culprit of the ring lands getting stuck because it fills up with carbon.

I saw that this was called nonsense, but a piston deposit study showed that there was a significant amount of the piston carbon and it appeared to be due to the fuel. However, I am sure that the motor oil plays an important role as well. The key sentence in the paper’s conclusion probably should have been worded to not imply the carbon is entirely from the fuel. If it is entirely fuel-derived, there would be no point in so many engine tests of oils measuring piston deposits.
https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2005-01-3820/

2005-10-24

Characterization of Deposits Formed on Sequence IIIG Pistons​

In the latest passenger car motor oil specifications the Sequence IIIG engine test is used to determine the ability of lubricants to control piston deposits. We have analyzed the chemical composition of Sequence IIIG deposits in order to determine the source of the piston deposits and determine if the mechanism for deposit formation in the Sequence IIIG engine test is similar to previously published mechanisms for formation of high temperature engine deposits. These previous mechanisms show that combustion by-products react with lubricant in the piston ring zone. The mixture of combustion by-products and lubricant are oxidized to form deposit precursors which are further oxidized to form deposits. Since the Sequence IIIG engine test uses lead-free fuel it is important to reexamine the nature of piston deposits formed in gasoline engines and in particular in the Sequence IIIG engine test. Using thermogravimetric, infrared and SEM/EDS analyses we discovered that Sequence IIIG deposits contain a significant amount of carbonaceous material. This carbonaceous material appears to be a deposit formed by the Sequence IIIG fuel. In addition, the Sequence IIIG deposits are quite different from Sequence IIIE deposits since they do not appear to be nitrated or contain lead sulfate.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Good thing I never posted if it worked for me so far given I have used even better oils.

Two more VRP oil changes to go but I will keep the results to myself after the 4th oil change is complete.

All I care about is if it works for me, I don’t need to convince anyone either way.

 

[Glenda W.]

Thanks…very interesting. Valvoline EP is probably the oil most responsible for the piston deposits and oil consumption. Amsoil SS wasn’t used as long as VRP was, so it may have improved consumption if used longer.

My opinion as well. Base oil and volatility come to mind. I personally haven’t seen evidence of fuel deposits in oil control rings and the engine oil testing also points to that conclusion.

 

[4WD]

Good points. GDI have made it problematic to extend oil life in some engine makes.

The only concern I'd have with the ESP line is the lack of detergent. SA is a bit more complicated. You don't want too little or too much. But there are ashless dispersants and probably other things maybe to compensate for the lower detergent levels.

There are anti adhesion compounds in better fuels - in addition to UCL/detergents - so I also land on the side of good fuels and lubes in modern engines …

 

[Glenda W.]

Mobil and Citgo top tier regular fuels are what I mostly use as they are my local stations. I use Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System cleaner a couple times per year in all my vehicles. Also of note, my Outback is PFI.

 

[JAG]

Regarding VRPs ability to do semi-long OCIs, it has the advantage of being able to clean deposits, so if it is run long enough in prior OCIs to increase deposits, it will do some cleaning at least in the earlier part of the current OCI. I think the first aspect of a gasoline motor oil to fail is usually a spike in rate of deposit formation, happening prior to an increase in the wear rate. That assumes that air filtration is good. VRP doesn’t have high TBN, but neither do the lower SAPS Euro oils, yet they are touted as long-OCI-capable. I’m not saying VRP is capable of long OCIs, but we shouldn’t rule it out without more data.

 

[Nesterenko]

Honestly still considering a 5th oci. But I’m in a unique situation where I can be a BITOG guinea pig with some favorite oils to test.

Bitog can wait. Take care of yourself first.

 

[Kira]

I’m not saying VRP is capable of long OCIs, but we shouldn’t rule it out without more data.

Didn't somebody "say" that VRP shears rapidly compared to other oils?

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

I would think the same thing honestly. But it happened…and I don’t work for Valvoline.

Told you all they’d come up with something else in post 14.

I believe you.

It’s not even as if you said it completely stopped your oil consumption, it just reduced it.

I recall a member here saying they found carbon in their oil filter after the switched to HPL despite the fact they previously used a high quality synthetic at normal drain intervals previously.

Obviously HPL was able to clean stuff other oils couldn’t.

Same with VRP it seems.

 

[ka9mnx]

I usually use Bp but they aren’t top tier certified anymore. There’re the best option in my area. When I drive an hour away I go to the quiktrip or marathon because I refuse to use the circle k gas

Yea, I was not pleased when BP went away from Top Tier. I emailed them and their reply was it didn't boost sales and wasn't worth the cost of membership. I still use BP gas and it has invigorate! BP also told me they didn't change their formulation from when they were a Top Tier member so that was encouraging.

 

[ndarkside93]

Didn't somebody "say" that VRP shears rapidly compared to other oils?

It appeared that way in my test runs and for many others. There aren’t many uoas online but they all tend to show a low relative viscosity, but I can only find 4-5 with any real mileage on them. I’m sure there are more to be found.