I’m really looking forward to @Glenda W. updates on if oil consumption returns for them or not after getting massive reduction using VRP. M1 had a small but consistent rate and then at some point after switching to Valvolive the consumption tanked. This already demonstrated a truth that even among “synthetics” there can be drastic differences in use; even if arguably the design and conditions driven contribute to the results. It would seem the oil choice can in fact matter.
What makes an engine require synthetic oil?
- Thread starter Chris142
- Start date
Evidence? Smells like opinion...
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Still doing well. R&P cut consumption from 3 quarts per 5k miles to a 1/2 quart. Switching to ESP 0W-30 improved it to 1/4 quart per 5k miles. Most likely due to less volatility. So far holding steady after 15k miles on ESP.
Actually smells more like majority group 2 and 3.
Oils with higher volatility contribute more to piston deposits and ring coking, and more frequent intervals can result in burning more volatile compounds more frequently. Less heat tolerant base oils are more prone to varnish, a result of reactions between NOx and hydrocarbons at high temperature forming ketones and aldehydes which condensate to form polymeric compounds that oxidize into a resin. Base oils that are more stable at high temperature are less prone to such reactions. The higher amount of higher SSI VIIs is vulnerable to fuel dilution, as well as allowing for further drop in viscosity than from just fuel dilution. When you use higher quality base oils with a lower amount of more shear stable VII, this is less of a concern. There's also the limited research into the chemical stripping of anti-wear films from fresh detergents right after an oil change. Changing the oil more frequently can mean putting the engine through this cycle more frequently.
Very interesting. Gives us something to think about.
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