Valvoline Restore and Protect drawbacks?

[altaylar]

Because I legitimately believe other companies have not yet figured out whatever particular chemistry Valvoline has discovered.

Valvoline has said it was an “accidental”discovery. The cleaning action is novel and unlike existing chemistries.

Mobil 1 Advanced Clean for example, appears to be using PAO, which is a known entity. It can help “clean up an engine” in very general terms, but note that Mobil makes no specific claims of cleaning piston ring lands, which is the #1 culprit of oil consumption on most modern engines.

Whereas Valvoline, with their proprietary formula, specifically calls out Valvoline Restore and Protect’s ability to clean piston rings, and provides photographic proof from their testing. Valvoline Restore and Protect has now been on the market I believe nearly 2 years now, and plenty of real world use across many different engine designs has seemingly backed up their claims.

While I am optimistic that Mobil 1 Advanced Clean may be a “next gen” cleaner like Valvoline Restore and Protect clearly is, I’m not so sure that it has any “special sauce” beyond a good dose of PAO, which can already be had in their Mobil 1 ESP line for example.

Good points. I think what makes Valvoline Restore and Protect credible is not the photos they shared, but all these members of the forum sharing their experience.
And I don't think having PAO matters much in a cleaning oil. AN might, or some esters, but thats about it.

 

[melk]

PAO has very little cleaning ability because there are very few polar molecules. In fact, its Aniline point is higher (worse for solvency) than group 2.

A big challenge is what to mix in with a PAO-based oil to give it a better solvency. Usually it is ANs and/or esters along with detergents.

Good to know, thank you. I am obviously still learning. I guess I have been confused because PAO seems to get thrown around as “oil X is better because of its PAO!” so further research is needed on my part.

 

[GW.]

Good to know, thank you. I am obviously still learning. I guess I have been confused because PAO seems to get thrown around as “oil X is better because of its PAO!” so further research is needed on my part.

PAO does make a great oil for many other reasons. But usually esters and an’s are added for solvency and seal conditioning.

 

[buster]

As Patman said I think it is truly unique to Valvoline. Both Active Clean and Liqui-Shield is proprietary tech to Valvoline.

It sounds potent too because Dr. England said they use a small amount of it and had to account for filters getting clogged. That's why they formulated it so it does job slowly over 4 OCI.

 

[GW.]

As Patman said I think it is truly unique to Valvoline. Both Active Clean and Liqui-Shield is proprietary tech to Valvoline.

It sounds potent too because Dr. England said they use a small amount of it and had to account for filters getting clogged. That's why they formulated it so it does job slowly over 4 OCI.

It really makes me wonder what protections Valvoline is using to keep others from using this additive? Patents, not pursuing Dexos? No one is even attempting to advertise cleaning pistons like Valvoline Restore and Protect does….Mobil 1 cleaning sludge in one oci is weak IMO. Not new at all.

 

[buster]

It really makes me wonder what protections Valvoline is using to keep others from using this additive? Patents, not pursuing Dexos? No one is even attempting to advertise cleaning pistons like Valvoline Restore and Protect does….Mobil 1 cleaning sludge in one oci is weak IMO. Not new at all.

Me too. It's a good question. I haven't even seen any patents for it. The patents we've seen online are from the Val Prem Blue Restore which is an entirely different oil. It's by far the most interesting oil to come out in quite some time. There really hasn't been anything like it until now.

It's interesting too because on paper when you look at it, it doesn't look special at all. That seems to be the general trend in oil formulating.

Mobil 1 Advanced Clean is clearly, 100%, a response to Valvoline Restore and Protect. But I don't think XOM cracked it either as their product doesn't prove or even speak of cleaning stubborn ring deposits. Maybe some varnish and sludge. They did state they based it on the Seq VH test which is a sludge test.

 

[altaylar]

Me too. It's a good question. I haven't even seen any patents for it. The patents we've seen online are from the Val Prem Blue Restore which is an entirely different oil. It's by far the most interesting oil to come out in quite some time. There really hasn't been anything like it until now.

It's interesting too because on paper when you look at it, it doesn't look special at all. That seems to be the general trend in oil formulating.

To me, that sounds like a new molecule discovery that is protected as a trade secret

 

[buster]

To me, that sounds like a new molecule discovery that is protected as a trade secret

I think you're right.

 

[4wd]

Have a look at 20210371778

 

[GW.]

It would be interesting to see some sales numbers. When I go to Walmart it’s 50/50 if Valvoline Restore and Protect is sold out/or needs to be restocked.

https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/...as-2025-product-of-the-year-usa-award-winner/

 

[altaylar]

Have a look at 20210371778

Interesting!

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210371778A1/en?oq=20210371778

 

[buster]

Interesting!

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210371778A1/en?oq=20210371778

I don't think that is it. They also make service chemicals for intake valve deposits. And the other patent in that list is Valvoline Premium Blue Restore.

My .02

 

[altaylar]

Interesting!

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210371778A1/en?oq=20210371778

The interesting thing is though, the inventor was a product develpment scientist at the time of the applicaiton, and then moved to become lead scientist for Grease. If he made such a major discovery in engine oil, why to move him to grease?

 

[altaylar]

I don't think that is it. They also make service chemicals for intake valve deposits. And the other patent in that list is Valvoline Premium Blue Restore.

My .02

Agreed

 

[buster]

I like looking at the patents. Makes you realize how involved the chemistry/testing is. Valvoline also clearly has a good technical side.

 

[GW.]

Have a look at 20210371778

Well if this is related it’s organic and expires in 2040. It will be a while before others can copy.

 

[mojoe]

It would be interesting to see some sales numbers. When I go to Walmart it’s 50/50 if Valvoline Restore and Protect is sold out/or needs to be restocked.

https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/...as-2025-product-of-the-year-usa-award-winner/

Here's what confirmed it to me: Earlier this year I did an oil change and took the old oil to the local dump for disposal. They have a big vat for pouring the oil into, and beside it are a couple of 50-gallon drums for empty containers. They were filled mostly with empty Valvoline Restore and Protect 5-gallon jugs! My local WalMarts are also always out of one grade or another.

 

[GW.]

I’m really getting curious about Amsoil’s next generation of SS!!

 

[GW.]

Here's what confirmed it to me: Earlier this year I did an oil change and took the old oil to the local dump for disposal. They have a big vat for pouring the oil into, and beside it are a couple of 50-gallon drums for empty containers. They were filled mostly with empty Valvoline Restore and Protect 5-gallon jugs! My local WalMarts are also out of one grade or another.

If I owned a shop it would definitely be a safe bet for customers!!

 

[tolian21]

Maybe it cleans so good, that after long term use gaskets will start leaking, lol