CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I don't think Mobil is "falling behind" so much as Valvoline leaped ahead. And by Valvoline's own admission, the leap was serendipity.
Valvoline Restore and Protect skepticism
- Thread starter TomYoung
- Start date
I don't think some here quite fathom the technological leap that R&P is and more importantly that other cos. are rendered essentially 'impotent' by patents viciously defended by hordes of $500+ per hr. legal teams. The "self cleaning" factor has literally changed the playing field. Whatever Mobil, Chevron, et al, may do they will have to work around the R&P patents. I am sure these other cos. have reverse engineered what exactly is the new synthetic molecule in R&P, but they are nonetheless legally hamstrung by patents. That's gotta hurt, but it's business. 
Being visibly clean in the valve train doesn't guarantee the piston rings are also clean. If your engine isn't burning oil, then the rings are most likely free and working well. Here's an engine that was spotless inside, but the oil control rings were filled with oil deposits and stuck. Look near the middle of the video to see how clean the rest of the engine looked.
Luddite Alert.
There is zero evidence of any issue with my pistion rings. I can sit and dream or imagine they are dirty, but I´ve got no sort of performance issue in any of my engines to indicate they have any problem, dirt, whatever. I am only running the VRP as a preventative or precautionary move because there is simply no downside to it other than a jug being $4 more than the usual Mobil 1 I tend to run. But $4 ain´t a big deal.
The cleanliness of the valve train is, in fact, evidence (I did not say proof). So the preponderance of evidence....including performance and economy along with the clean valve train, leads the judge (me) to conclude the engine is clean.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
I don’t think stuck piston rings have been a problem for me.
If there was ever a real database - we’d see a few engines way worst than others. We also have 2nd/3rd owner used vehicles with an unknown history of lubes and fuel used.
My current worry would be with lubes not holding some type of OEM approval - less likely to know they were forced to - or decided to cheapen the formula …
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
As mentioned earlier, if your engine isn't burning oil then the oil control rings are probably working fine. Still doesn't mean they are spotless, and as you say running some VRP certainly isn't going to hurt, just in case.
It's evidence that the valve train is clean ... but not evidence that the pistons and rings are clean, just like that video proved. You'd have to tear down the engine and pop the pistons out to verify their condition.
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4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Anyone think we have more short block failures than valve train failures … And not talking 20 year old stuff …
Hopefully VRP (used up to 5 OCI’s) will free up stuck oil rings ?
It should if the rings are gummed up. How long is each OCI? ... don't go too short.
And Valvoline should reap the rewards. They came out with a great product.I don't think some here quite fathom the technological leap that R&P is and more importantly that other cos. are rendered essentially 'impotent' by patents viciously defended by hordes of $500+ per hr. legal teams. The "self cleaning" factor has literally changed the playing field. Whatever Mobil, Chevron, et al, may do they will have to work around the R&P patents. I am sure these other cos. have reverse engineered what exactly is the new synthetic molecule in R&P, but they are nonetheless legally hamstrung by patents. That's gotta hurt, but it's business.
I don't think Valvoline has *any* patents protecting their Restore & Protect oil. If anyone thinks they do, please post the patent numbers. or some other information supporting your belief. Thank you.I don't think some here quite fathom the technological leap that R&P is and more importantly that other cos. are rendered essentially 'impotent' by patents viciously defended by hordes of $500+ per hr. legal teams. The "self cleaning" factor has literally changed the playing field. Whatever Mobil, Chevron, et al, may do they will have to work around the R&P patents. I am sure these other cos. have reverse engineered what exactly is the new synthetic molecule in R&P, but they are nonetheless legally hamstrung by patents. That's gotta hurt, but it's business.
Indestro
This patent is for Valvoline Premium Blue Restore.
The connection is that Valvoline R&P may be based on the same basic technology that specifically mentions cleaning piston rings, etc. Valvoline Premium Blue Restore is recommended to use for only one OCI. VRP may basically just be a watered down version of Premium Blue Restore that can be ran in every OCI if so desired. If they developed the technology for Premium Blue, why reinvent it or come up with a totally different technology for R&P that does the same basic thing?
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No that's what I'm saying. It is literally nothing like it at all. It's been discussed a lot. It's an entirely new molecule. It's not based on polar ester/AN molecules.
Guess I missed that, so what official technical information shows that to be the case with VRP? What would say they aren't using a controlled aniline point in the formulation to do the deposit cleaning at a slow pace, and formulated in order to be used infinite OCIs?
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Back on topic...
I am approx. 1,000 mi. into my #4 OC with R&P 0W-20 in my 2009 Toyota Corolla LE which has a little over 227,000 mi. on it. Last Mon. I had the timing chain tensioner replaced as oil was seeping around the plate. I read it's quite common on high mileage Toyotas. This coming Mon. I am replacing the PCV valve and hose as well as the oil pressure sensor switch which are original. My valve cover gasket was replaced at approx. 98,000 mi. as it was leaking and the replacement is still working perfectly.
In essence, I am trying to completely halt any oil loss that is feasibly possible with OEM parts via necessary as well as preventive maintenance to supplement R&P.
I am approx. 1,000 mi. into my #4 OC with R&P 0W-20 in my 2009 Toyota Corolla LE which has a little over 227,000 mi. on it. Last Mon. I had the timing chain tensioner replaced as oil was seeping around the plate. I read it's quite common on high mileage Toyotas. This coming Mon. I am replacing the PCV valve and hose as well as the oil pressure sensor switch which are original. My valve cover gasket was replaced at approx. 98,000 mi. as it was leaking and the replacement is still working perfectly.
In essence, I am trying to completely halt any oil loss that is feasibly possible with OEM parts via necessary as well as preventive maintenance to supplement R&P.
Aniline point with esters kinda late to the Redline game, anyway solvents in there also <.5% read sds