Probably not synthetic used. Also, wasn't that one of the Toyota engines that had sludging back in the day? Anyone remember that? I think they had like a warranty extension and everything.
Varnish Clean up (3MZ-FE under valve cover pic)
- Thread starter DV0993
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I think I'd just keep running Valvoline Restore and Protect and see if the varnishing improves. The cam surfaces look flawless so probably not much to worry about.
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That was the 1MZ-FE (3.0). That wasn’t an issue with the 3MZ-FE (3.3).
10-4…I was hazy on it. Been a while!
dnewton3
Staff member
Allow me to be the voice of reason ...
- this is a poorly applied "experiment". In fact, it's not an experiment at all; it's an anecdotal observation AFTER something was changed, with no prior baseline established for comparison/contrast
- the OP used Valvoline Restore and Protect for an unstated reason, because he had no prior knowledge of the varnish, so just what was he trying to achieve with the Valvoline Restore and Protect in the first place?
- now, in an effort to make things "better", the OP now wants to try a Mobil 1 ESP lube which, to the best of my knowledge, has never made any claim towards cleaning varnish (nor has Valvoline Restore and Protect for that matter)
- there exists a very important distinction between keeping an engine clean, versus cleaning an engine. And that desired "clean" needs to be defined as to location and effect. It is quite possible that no product will remove this varnish to a substantial degree, but may well clean the important parts (rings, lands, bearing surfaces, etc) quite well.
******
Threads like this have but one good use ... to provide the masses with a point of argument, where they can espouse their opinions on theoretical conditions and wishful results. The only thing which this thread proves is that most of you wouldn't know a good "experiment" if it jumped up and bit your keister.
I beg of you ... make BITOG a better place. Quit arguing about things which none of you have any reasonable position to prove or disprove, one way or another.
- this is a poorly applied "experiment". In fact, it's not an experiment at all; it's an anecdotal observation AFTER something was changed, with no prior baseline established for comparison/contrast
- the OP used Valvoline Restore and Protect for an unstated reason, because he had no prior knowledge of the varnish, so just what was he trying to achieve with the Valvoline Restore and Protect in the first place?
- now, in an effort to make things "better", the OP now wants to try a Mobil 1 ESP lube which, to the best of my knowledge, has never made any claim towards cleaning varnish (nor has Valvoline Restore and Protect for that matter)
- there exists a very important distinction between keeping an engine clean, versus cleaning an engine. And that desired "clean" needs to be defined as to location and effect. It is quite possible that no product will remove this varnish to a substantial degree, but may well clean the important parts (rings, lands, bearing surfaces, etc) quite well.
******
Threads like this have but one good use ... to provide the masses with a point of argument, where they can espouse their opinions on theoretical conditions and wishful results. The only thing which this thread proves is that most of you wouldn't know a good "experiment" if it jumped up and bit your keister.
I beg of you ... make BITOG a better place. Quit arguing about things which none of you have any reasonable position to prove or disprove, one way or another.
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I didn't expect this thread to turn into such a debate!
By way of further background - I've used Valvoline Restore and Protect on all of my vehicles for one purpose only - Cleaning piston ring deposts.
Unfortunately, I never pulled the valve cover when I acquired the RX330 so I have no pre Valvoline Restore and Protect comparison - only faith that the twice annual oil changes were carried out by the previous owner at the dealer.
My rationale for using ESP 0w30 was driven by this thread:
Unfortunately we don't have Mobil 1 Advanced Clean or HPL in Australia. (HPL hit me up if you want to sell here!)
By way of further background - I've used Valvoline Restore and Protect on all of my vehicles for one purpose only - Cleaning piston ring deposts.
Unfortunately, I never pulled the valve cover when I acquired the RX330 so I have no pre Valvoline Restore and Protect comparison - only faith that the twice annual oil changes were carried out by the previous owner at the dealer.
My rationale for using ESP 0w30 was driven by this thread:
The vehicle is my 2001 Chevy Blazer 4x4 with the 4.3 Vortec. The truck has about 120,000 miles as of Oct 20.
So the first picture shows the inside of the oil filter adapter area before using Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30. Taken on June 13, 2025, after draining Valvoline Restore and Protect. But the inside still looked the exact same, after Valvoline Restore and Protect. Its always looked just like this since 3 years ago.
As you can see there was lots of varnish and what almost looked like stuck on sludge in some areas. It’s been just like this since I got the truck almost 3 years ago...
So the first picture shows the inside of the oil filter adapter area before using Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30. Taken on June 13, 2025, after draining Valvoline Restore and Protect. But the inside still looked the exact same, after Valvoline Restore and Protect. Its always looked just like this since 3 years ago.
As you can see there was lots of varnish and what almost looked like stuck on sludge in some areas. It’s been just like this since I got the truck almost 3 years ago...
Unfortunately we don't have Mobil 1 Advanced Clean or HPL in Australia. (HPL hit me up if you want to sell here!)
really doesn't look bad to me. I don't see anything other than some color change.
Now, what if, and bare with me here... what if you picked an oil that meets the spec and changed it on time? If youre super worried you could even change it sooner based on the "severe duty" recommendation in your owners manual.
Nah, that sounds crazy. Probably should Valvoline Restore and Protect as much as possible.
Nah, that sounds crazy. Probably should Valvoline Restore and Protect as much as possible.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I believe Mobil had a chart that I saw comparing it to ESP & the FS was rated higher "Cleaning" ability. If that is true then some 0w-40 FS could work vs the ESP.I didn't expect this thread to turn into such a debate!
By way of further background - I've used Valvoline Restore and Protect on all of my vehicles for one purpose only - Cleaning piston ring deposts.
Unfortunately, I never pulled the valve cover when I acquired the RX330 so I have no pre Valvoline Restore and Protect comparison - only faith that the twice annual oil changes were carried out by the previous owner at the dealer.
My rationale for using ESP 0w30 was driven by this thread:
The vehicle is my 2001 Chevy Blazer 4x4 with the 4.3 Vortec. The truck has about 120,000 miles as of Oct 20.
So the first picture shows the inside of the oil filter adapter area before using Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30. Taken on June 13, 2025, after draining Valvoline Restore and Protect. But the inside still looked the exact same, after Valvoline Restore and Protect. Its always looked just like this since 3 years ago.
As you can see there was lots of varnish and what almost looked like stuck on sludge in some areas. It’s been just like this since I got the truck almost 3 years ago...
Unfortunately we don't have Mobil 1 Advanced Clean or HPL in Australia. (HPL hit me up if you want to sell here!)
That varnish is really hard to remove, it is worth trying since you are going to use the engine anyway, but do not expect fast results. It will likely take a very long time to remove to any noticeably degree, and many spots may need to be cleaned by hand.
It might look like an oil stain, but it is actually chemically bonded to the metal and is no longer in a form which is easily soluable.
It might look like an oil stain, but it is actually chemically bonded to the metal and is no longer in a form which is easily soluable.
The color matches my gold nitride barrel.
What's the going rate? Asking for a friend...
We have the 5w30 and 10w40 available in Australia - I have used the 10w40 mostly (it is a popular weight here!)
Was this the old SN formula of the FS though? I don't think the new SP version (called Mobil 1 "Triple Action Power +" in Oz) has the same cleaning ability
Nothing to see here for the mileage.
I think this is why you haven't seen this clean up with Valvoline Restore and Protect. It hasn't had enough time.
If you would like to continue cleaning it up, continue Valvoline Restore and Protect. Not sure why you're looking for something else.
This oil can easily do 5,000 miles. Do you hate money?
1MZ was the sludge monster.
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