Awhile back I posted up a thread about how my engine was making oil disappear. I have been using "the almighty" mobil 1 for the past year and some 18,000 miles. Every oil change a full quart if not more would be gone, and I was even having to add anywhere from half to a full quart in between oil changes.

Well I spoke with a member on here -LU229- and with his 40 years? (correct me if I'm wrong) automotive experience was some I was willing to listen to. At his advice I switched to valvoline.

Now I am only on my first oil change, and at about 1500 miles since, but I have no missing oil, my psi's are higher than ever, and the oil is still transparent and caramel looking (aka it still looks new). where I can tell you from all my mobil 1 experience, my psi's were never this high, they were usually the mid 40s to 48 at higher rpms, where it is now in the mid 50s. and mobil 1 would turn black right away.

So for it just being 1500 miles, I am very pleased with valvoline, and beyond dissappointed with mobil 1.

Also to anyone who was a reader of that thread, LU229 knows his stuff, and well he may not know everything, but he definitely threw some good advice my way. So a big shout out to LU229, and to anyone else, maybe give valvoline a try?

I know its too early to really make a scientific conclussion, as I will need to give it plenty more thousands of miles of testing, but off the bat, I am impressed and pleased.

 

mdram43, I'm not questioning your results, I'm glad it's resolved your issue with missing oil.

I also was in on that thread and being the curious type, decided to give Valvoline a try. This is what I did; I looked at how many miles my Mobil1 had in my truck (3500). I then drove the truck until the oil temp on the evic read 195 degrees. I set the evic to the oil pressure monitor and recorded my pressures at 500 RPM (idle AC off), 600 RPM (idle AC on), driving at 70 MPH (under load), and then parked and took readings while in park and reved the engine to 2000, 3000 and 3500 RPMs. I recorded all the oil pressure readings and looked at the dipstick for the oil level (no oil was missing). I used the same type of oil filter and the changed the oil to Valvoline. I repeated the same steps with the fresh Valvoline and all of the readings were the same as with Mobil1. Right now, I have 1000 miles on the Valvoline and the readings haven't changed. I just looked at the level and color and the level is still where it was when fresh and the color looks pretty clean so I will see what it looks like at 3500 miles. So to me, the only difference so far has been the price and at my local Walmart valvoline is about $5 more for the 5 quart jug. Forgot to add that my engine is at 36000 miles now.

The fact that we are getting different results seems to point to the fact that your engine was missing oil and mine was not. So if Valvoline fixed that for you, then that's good to know for me if my engine ever starts to loose oil.

Here is what Quaker state says about oil color;



You can tell the condition of oil by the look, smell or color of it. And if it turns dark or black quickly, it’s no good.


Nothing could be further from the truth. If the oil is doing its job of cleaning the engine, then it should be dirty when it is drained. Quaker State® motor oil will start looking dirty a short time after it is put to use. In the case of diesel engines, the oil may look dirty within a few hours of operation. These are signs that the motor oil is doing its job of keeping soot, dirt and other combustion contaminants in suspension to be carried to the filter or removed from the crankcase when the oil is changed. Quaker State motor oils have been formulated to hold these contaminants in suspension until they can be removed with an oil and filter change.

 

I noticed i lose a bit of oil too but mostly when the truck is working hard like when towing my camper thousands of km's, which is normal i would assume. I use Royal Purple.

 

There is a common complaint that Hemi's burn oil. I forget where I read that. Anyways, if you love Vavoline then buy Napa if cheaper. Vavoline makes Napa oil. I've always used Napa oil or valvoline in all my cars until this one. No problems. I haven't noticed any problems with Mobil1 synthetic. Although this last time the oil change light came on after 2k miles. I let it stay on. It has always been 6k miles to the tee almost. My driving never changes.

 

Not to start an oil fire,but Ihad Mobil 1 in my 05 Daytona once,and sounded scratchy at start-up.I drained it immediately,drove back to the store for my beloved Valvoline.I researched Mobil on the net,and found that Valvoline actually has Mobil sued due to not passing the standard wear test.

 

Can someone please explain the effects of using mobile 1 on american vehicles cause i've being using mobile 1 for a while now and find no problem with it, i even recommended it.
My acura tl 3.2 (vtec) runs smooth on mobile 1...
AND MY CHARGER RUNS AWESOME ON MOBILE 1 SYTH. I WAS THINKING OF TRYING SHELL, IS IT A GOOD IDEA?

 

Nice bro! I actually started using Valvoline Syn-Power and I really like it so far! After 2500(ish) miles it's not black the oil level is good and the pressures and temps are looking gooooood! I've been a BIG valvoline user, that's all I ever put in my trucks and I love it. But I just recently switched to the syn-power, good stuff!

 

Thanks md, i appreciate the nice words, that was very kind of you.
Glad to hear things are hopefully lookin up for your truck. It`ll take some time to get that valvoline workin good, so hang in there.

By the way......
I was researching some info tonight, and thought of you md... i ran across another guy that had mentioned a test to another guy, that i always used over the years to test the PCV systems in a vehicle. This simple little test will allow you to check and make sure your PCV system is actually working. So here is what i want you to do, and then get back to me about the result. While your truck is running and idling in park, pull the dipstick out, take a small balloon, slip it over the dipstick tube approx an inch or little more, (pull it tightly around the DS tube so it can not leak by) if the balloon starts to rise rapidly, your PCV valve and or system is not doing its job. (the balloon should stay pretty much deflated, if it dosen`t, keep reading onward here) First thing to look at, is the PCV valve itself. It may be sludged up or possibly sticking, if it is, replace it. Be sure to check the PCV hose and the throttle body where the hose goes into the throttle body. Make sure the port is clean where the PCV hose hooks up to the throttle body as well. You should have very good vacuum at the throttle body port tube. If not, clean it out with carb cleaner, then recheck it again. Funny how time goes by and the little things like old tricks of the trade just slip away. Like i`ve said, i usually do this simple little test, i had just forgotten to remember it...lol. Anyhow, i dont think i have to tell you if the PCV system isnt working properly, it can surely cause oil consumption of some sort. Just tryin to cover every loophole and see if we can resolve any or all issues you`ve been having with oil loss or usage. Hopefully it has gotten better since getting rid of that snake oil...lol.

I think i read somwhere in this post, that black oil is a good thing, because it meens its doing its job.
I totally disagree, but i`m not going into details why. Black oil in a gas engine should be self explanatory anyway.

Take care my good friend

 

If you`re buying royal purple, you`re just wasting money... its your money though.
Royal purple isnt any better than most major brand synthetics... only difference is the higher price.

 

atta boy mikey....lol, hemi`s deserve the good stuff