Valvoline Restore & Protect Oil: cleans upto 100% Deposits to Factory Specs?

[fe7565]

Claim: Valvoline Restore & Protect, the first and only motor oil that removes up to 100% of deposits – restoring your engine to run like new.

You supposed to run 4 consecutive oil changes and it should clean pistons (and else?) to factory original. The oil was designed NOT to clog the oil filter like other heavy cleaning detergent additives may, thus the slower 4 oil change requirement.

Any proof did anyone find? Or personal experience?

[fe7565]

Well, at least Valvoline is honest and not just doing marketing to sell products:

“Thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support,

Unfortunately, the Restore & Protect does not cover the ACEA B3/B4 or the BMW LL-01FE oil specification your vehicle requires. We do not recommend it’s use. Only our European Full Synthetic 0W-30 and 5W-30 meet this specification and are recommended for your BMW.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at 800 TEAM VAL or by email at productsupport@valvolineglobal.com for assistance.

Thank you and have a great day.

Valvoline Product Support”

[Tejas1836]

That is just a normal full synthetic, it will help clean up to 100% of deposits.
Pennzoil Platinum Euro Spec 5w/30 will do the same

[fe7565]

Looks like Pennzoil Platinum Euro Spec 5w/30 meets BMW LL-04 specs.


BMW-Specific Oil Info https://www.bimmerworld.com/BMW-Engine-Oil/

BMW Engine Oil Approvals
BMW revises their oil formulations every few years based on contemporary engine design, mileage and emissions requirements, fuel type and quality, region, service plans, and marketing. Each new spec is coded by year and roughly corresponds to new generations of BMW engines. This is not the same as oil viscosity and there can be multiple oil viscosities for the same Approval type. These types are just a guide so that the appropriate oil is used for your engine design.

LL-98 (1998). API SJ. ACEA A3/B3. SAE 5W30, 5W40. The oldest available specification. Anything with this rating has been approved for older model BMWs - all chassis before the E46 and engines before the M54. BMW no longer produces oil in this spec but LL-98 alternatives exist (Red Line 5W40). LL-98 oils are compatible with LL-01 oils.

LL-01 (2001 and 2018). API SJ/SL. ACEA A3/B3. SAE 0W30, 5W30, 5W40, 10W60. The first revision with detergents and additives brought in to work with the ridiculous 15,000 mile oil change interval that BMW promoted at the time. However, once cars and engines were out of warranty and mileage accumulated the nasty effects of extended oil changes were realized (i.e. oil sludge). This was also the start of the decline of ZDDP levels with more additives brought in to take its place. LL-01 is compatible with engines approved for LL-98. LL-01 is still coveted as the best of the "old" oil, and the most compatible with sulfur levels of US fuel. Revised standards were applied in 2018 so that more modern engines could meet the LL-01 rating.

LL-04 (2005). API SM/SN. ACEA C3 (similar to A3). SAE 5W30, 5W40. The LL-04 oils have been greatly misunderstood in the past but this is now in greater demand. Most LL-04 oils are intended for Diesels, although it was also approved for gas engines in Europe and other world markets. BMW never certified LL-04 for the US (see next paragraph). Diesel oil has long been valued by engine builders and tuners because of its higher levels of ZDDP content. LL-04 also has a lower SAPS value which is good news for direct-injection engines (all BMW turbo engines since 2007). You won't find Genuine BMW LL-04 sold here but Red Line Euro-Series oil and Pentosin SP III are produced around this spec.

BMW never certified LL-04 for the US market because a) there weren't many Diesels for sale here, b) it was incompatible with the high amounts of sulfur and Ethanol in US gasoline. However, since 2014 our gasoline more closely matches European sulfur levels and since 2017 it's been lower than the past European levels. Oil analysis can give you more insight how your local fuel is interacting with the oil. LL-04 and LL-01 are interchangeable/compatible but LL-04 is preferred for BMW turbo engines for its higher ZDDP and low SAPS. Food for thought: the official BMW Motorsport oil recommendation for the M4 GT4 race car is a LL-04 spec oil. Our race team has used the Red Line Euro Series 5W40.

LL-12 (2012). New specifications for European market Diesel engines.

LL-14 (2014). API SN. ACEA A1/B1. SAE 0W20. Formulated for certain gasoline BMW engines from the 2014 model year, including the N20 four cylinder engine and all new modular B-series engines. The reasoning for the N20 is unpublished but may have to do with making N20 models more fuel efficient and avoiding gas guzzler and CAFE penalties. LL-14 oils have much lower friction levels than all other BMW oils. The HTHS rating is 2.6cP which makes it unsuitable as a performance oil.

LL-17 (2018). API SN/SP. ACEA C5. SAE 0W20. Replaces the LL-14 spec for N20, B38, B46, B48, and B58 engines. This appears to be a minor update to the LL-14 formula and designed for improved emissions.

[Tejas1836]

If you want the best of the best- Redline Euro 5w30. Ester/PAO, very expensive, but is what I use, I want to keep this last non-hybrid X5M for a long time. See above post, re: BMW Motorsport oil...
If I didn't use Redline, most likely I would use the PP Euro above

[fe7565]

More empirical info on how the Valvoline Restore and Protect works. A caution: if you engine is dirty, keep an eye on your oil filter and replace it sooner vs normal interval while using this oil.

Some background:

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Tejas1836

That is just a normal full synthetic, it will help clean up to 100% of deposits.
Pennzoil Platinum Euro Spec 5w/30 will do the same

Watched a semi hype video from the oil geek about this oil. They went into a lot of detail about how it is not just a normal oil. It's also not formulated anything like their older cleaning oil because I guess that cleaned too quickly for automotive filters.

It's a semi interesting watch, but seeing as it also gave major infomercial vibes, I dunno that I'd take it at face value.

The real question is what do you think needs cleaned up, and why?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Looks like Pennzoil Platinum Euro Spec 5w/30 meets BMW LL-04 specs.


BMW-Specific Oil Info https://www.bimmerworld.com/BMW-Engine-Oil/

BMW Engine Oil Approvals


LL-01 (2001 and 2018). API SJ/SL. ACEA A3/B3. SAE 0W30, 5W30, 5W40, 10W60. The first revision with detergents and additives brought in to work with the ridiculous 15,000 mile oil change interval that BMW promoted at the time. However, once cars and engines were out of warranty and mileage accumulated the nasty effects of extended oil changes were realized (i.e. oil sludge). This was also the start of the decline of ZDDP levels with more additives brought in to take its place. LL-01 is compatible with engines approved for LL-98. LL-01 is still coveted as the best of the "old" oil, and the most compatible with sulfur levels of US fuel. Revised standards were applied in 2018 so that more modern engines could meet the LL-01 rating.

Proof? I have an N52 with 425,000 miles and an average lifetime OCI of 12,400 miles. I've opened up both the top end and bottom end for gasket replacements, not a speck of sludge. I've only ever used BMW LL-01 and OE/OEM MANN HU-816 filter. Several change intervals went 18,000 miles, numerous went 17,000 miles.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Watched a semi hype video from the oil geek about this oil. They went into a lot of detail about how it is not just a normal oil. It's also not formulated anything like their older cleaning oil because I guess that cleaned too quickly for automotive filters.

It's a semi interesting watch, but seeing as it also gave major infomercial vibes, I dunno that I'd take it at face value.

The real question is what do you think needs cleaned up, and why?

Yes, has some infomercial tone to it...but all claims are explained and not exaggerated. Lake Speed jr (the Oil Geek guy) may have some good relations with them (professional or otherwise), but he does stick with the facts he is aware of.

I do not see any issues with oil consumption in my car, but after 111K miles it must have some carbon accumulation on the rings and the intake valves. So I hope to clean the rings and the combustion chamber. Also, based on the info given in the videos, there may be a residual cleaning action from the exhaust recirculation system carrying the blow by gases mixed with the oil over the intake valves. But this is not something they measured or advertised. They only advertised the rings and combustion chamber.

Direct injection does not clean valves, so short of walnut blast or other invasive methods that require opening the engine block, this may be the safest way to try to ensure the intake valves are clean. If they are still clean, it will not hurt.

However, it supposed to take about 2-4 oil changes for the rings to clean up. So this is not a detergent flush type of process, but a regular oil (with mild detergent qualities) used during normal operation.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Proof? I have an N52 with 425,000 miles and an average lifetime OCI of 12,400 miles. I've opened up both the top end and bottom end for gasket replacements, not a speck of sludge. I've only ever used BMW LL-01 and OE/OEM MANN HU-816 filter. Several change intervals went 18,000 miles, numerous went 17,000 miles.

My car is about the same as far as BMW spec oil, change intervals, and MANN filter, but only 111k miles. During warranty BMW only changed oil every 15k-20K miles, and I only started to change oil myself after 50k miles, every 7.5k-12k miles. Recently, every 5k-7.5k miles. So, based on your observations, the BMW spec oils also do a great job cleaning. But you visually inspected, and I do not plan to do that, no need yet.

I do not see any measurable oil consumption, my oil level always stays at the max mark until changing oil. It's a bit strange, but not complaining. I figured that although the Valvoline R&P is not BMW specs oil...for 2-4 oil changes under normal driving and oil filter replaced after 500 miles, 1500 miles, 2500 miles, and 5000 miles should not hurt. Then will go back to BMW specs oil.

The Oil Geek guy (Lake Speed Jr) confirmed to me via email that in his opinion this will not harm my N26. He seemed to had some reservations about this method for BMW diesel engines, which mine is not.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Yes, has some infomercial tone to it...but all claims are explained and not exaggerated. Lake Speed jr (the Oil Geek guy) may have some good relations with them (professional or otherwise), but he does stick with the facts he is aware of.

I do not see any issues with oil consumption in my car, but after 111K miles it must have some carbon accumulation on the rings and the intake valves. So I hope to clean the rings and the combustion chamber. Also, based on the info given in the videos, there may be a residual cleaning action from the exhaust recirculation system carrying the blow by gases mixed with the oil over the intake valves. But this is not something they measured or advertised. They only advertised the rings and combustion chamber.

Direct injection does not clean valves, so short of walnut blast or other invasive methods that require opening the engine block, this may be the safest way to try to ensure the intake valves are clean. If they are still clean, it will not hurt.

However, it supposed to take about 2-4 oil changes for the rings to clean up. So this is not a detergent flush type of process, but a regular oil (with mild detergent qualities) used during normal operation.

Agreed, Lake is definitely knowledgeable and gives off vibes that he's a a corporate shill yet, but as with the way the world is, any time a YouTube video slightly gives off infomercial vibes, I assume it's a paid advertisement for the product, and it usually is.