Respectfully, I have torn down an engine that had at least 40-50,000 miles (I dont remember precisely) of HPL and in that particular engine I would not consider it a magic eraser of engine deposits. Yes there was very good cleaning evidence. That engine had near perfect clean ringlands but also thick varnish elsewhere that had not existed 70,000 miles earlier. Engine also had various running and mechanical conditions causing deposits quicker than normal so I would not consider it a good engine to make assumptions of.
Thanks for sharing. Few base oils can clean existing deposits and HPL does use them (I believe). However the concentration needed is unknown. If you're adding say 6-10% of that base oil to your finished product it may run clean but not clean. That's the question.
I'm aware, but you don't know if it can clean piston deposits back to factory levels. Do a search there has been a lot of information about this, especially from Valvoline's lead engineer who worked at Infineum for 16 years. It's not that simple. Requires a great deal of solvency and correct aniline point.
And in the case of this particular engine I used it in and tore down, the ringlands and rings were mostly near perfect cleanliness. I'd say in at least this 1 engine HPL did fantastic in the ring cleanliness department. Elsewhere there was plenty of varnish which is likely from other factors. Which makes me question for the OP if the use of the HPL cleaner to help break down deposits like varnish on various components will help differently than say the HPL oil in the ringlands, or the use of VRP being more or less helpful for OPs engine as a whole cleanup picture unknown
No need. This engine is not a good subject engine for what HPL can do in my opinion. It had 174,000 miles of unknown oils and use contributing to its light varnish before my first eyes inside it (the heads and valve train at least) Then about 20,000 miles of m1 0w40, and then 50,000 of HPL before my eyes inside it again (heavier varnish deposits). In the process of rebuilding it now and it will see HPL for its life again. I have no doubt it will stay clean and have one of the best if not the best oils in it.
If that's the case, why this this Ecoboost still not clean after 50k on HPL? It cannot simultaneously be the case the HPL cleans so aggressively that it's plugging filters every 1600 miles and yet also that the engine is still loaded full of crud at 50k miles. You don't think nearly 15 oil filters supposedly full of crud is enough to expect the engine to be mostly clean?
So the engine went from light varnish at 174k on unknown oils to heavier varnish after another 70k miles of M1 and HPL? That doesn't seem right, what am I missing?
Running and mechanical conditions putting more deposits in the oil than the previous 174k experienced
An engine shouldn't any dirtier running HPL, in my estimation. Something seems off.
I know mt23 is an experienced mechanic. My guess is he’s talking about a mechanical/running issue that pollutes the crankcase. Maybe a burnt valve, blow by, or an engine not getting to operating temp. Nothing to do with the oil.
Driving needs changed on the vehicle to Multiple short trips daily, intake valve steam seals causing consumption to increase (still topped off with HPL) caused lots of soot to enter crankcase in combination moderate cylinder leakdown on 1 cylinder into crankcase. Fuel trims all near 0 and good, just life changes for the driver and car different than before in combination with oil consumption
Makes sense, thanks for bearing with me and patiently explaining.
I appreciate the thoroughness and scrutiny. No bother at all
Which engine is it? That would be helpful info too.
