Valvoline Restore and Protect 2AZ-FE Observations & Questions

[buster]

Stick with the VRP and give it the full 4x OCIs. My own yearlong experiment with it was STILL showing cleaning after the 3rd OCI. But this was also in a very varnished old Honda J35a7 with over 200k on it.

How effective was it with the varnish? I imagine that takes some time.

 

[DirectRejection]

You won't really know if the VRP is continuing to clean until you cut the filter or otherwise inspect it (if it's a toyota cartridge filter). VRP cleans and parks the residue in the filter.


VRP can undo deposits, but the long term effects of all the prior miles with deposits cannot be undone. Wear is wear and damage is damage-- they are the eternal entropy of engine life.

Exactly...once engines start to wear, rate of wear only accelerates.

VRP is great, and this story is compelling.

My 2005 Tacoma 2TR-FE 2.7L 4 cylinder consumed oil, but I got 750k miles out of it.

I have adopted a maintenance plan involving consistency and using highest quality synthetic from very early in vehicle life.

 

[tired]

How effective was it with the varnish? I imagine that takes some time.

He's posted photos here. The varnish removal is impressive.

 

[tired]

Stick with the VRP and give it the full 4x OCIs. My own yearlong experiment with it was STILL showing cleaning after the 3rd OCI. But this was also in a very varnished old Honda J35a7 with over 200k on it.

If you were continuing to see cleaning, why did you switch away? Just curious.

 

[tired]

He said replace them. That's how he makes money.

Before VRP, there really wasn't too much of a choice. BG EPR and Berryman's B12 I suppose, with variable success.

 

[Elkins45]

Before VRP, there really wasn't too much of a choice. BG EPR and Berryman's B12 I suppose, with variable success.

To be fair to TCCN new pistons and rings are absolutely the best solution for these engines. If either of mine qualified for the service campaign I would absolutely have it done. Since they don't I consider myself lucky that the piston soak is so effective because there's no way I'm spending 4K for new pistons on a 5K car with cosmetic issues.

 

[Hohn]

If you were continuing to see cleaning, why did you switch away? Just curious.

Because after the 4th drain the cleaning had drastically slowed and frankly I have oil ADHD. I have a lot of oil on hand and honestly I need to start using up some of the older stuff. My SN-rated 0w-40 FS is what's in there now.

 

[Hohn]

How effective was it with the varnish? I imagine that takes some time.

Almost complete removal in one year. If It had been driven more than just 8k miles or so, it probably would have been completely removed.

 

[buster]

Almost complete removal in one year. If It had been driven more than just 8k miles or so, it probably would have been completely removed.

Nice. Good to have a real world example.

 

[Hohn]

Nice. Good to have a real world example.

I need to grab an updated pic and post to the series of oil fill hole pics.

 

[tired]

I need to grab an updated pic and post to the series of oil fill hole pics.

Yeah please update us. A compilation from start to finish would be great.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I own an 03' Solara & an 06' Camry LE. Both have the 2AZ-FE engine. Solara has 128k Camry has 120k. 5W30 synthetic with OEM filters. None of them burn a drop of oil. Since they were used when I got them, I did the EPR 109 2X just to clean up the rings. They run FANTASTIC. And get outstanding gas mileage for such old vehicles. Serviced the tranny's and new plugs. Outstanding engines, until Toyota ruined them in 2007 due to CAFE issues. Solara is a bit uncomfortable for a person my age. Drop down like 30' into it. Tough getting out. Don't like the 2 door- 4 bucket seat set up either. Camry seat is much higher., and 4 door. Tranny's are fantastic too. They don't make cars like them anymore. Those engines are bullet proof. Don't leak a drop of oil either.

 

[NITester]

Here's a shot of one of my pistons. I don't know which and should probably do a systematic exam with the Borescope. I do know it was the peek I took about 10,000 miles ago. I had run some PEA in the gas tank. I said I didn't find anything horrifying, but now I wonder if I actually captured something not so good.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I'm no expert by no means, but that dark area is INSIDE the piston head. Looks more like a drip from a bad valve stem seal. You can see the edge of the piston where it meets the wall is clean. I actually see a little drop of oil at 5:00. Does it give a puff of blue smoke on start up, then go away ??? If so, it's a valve stem seal.

 

[NITester]

I'm no expert either, so that makes two of us. I don't see smoke on cold starts from the front seat looking in the rear view. I could set up the camera and record that.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Nah, don't bother. A bad stem seal lets out a nice puff of visible blue smoke on cold start. You would see it in the rear view. Time for the experts to jump in. Sorry. I tried There are some REALLY smart guys on this BITOG. You'll find one to help