Pennz vs Mobil1

I have been a 100% Mobil1 pure synth user for years. Last week I read an article comparing lab stats on wear. I switched to Pennz Platinum last Saturday, noticible difference in engine noise.

Also noticible difference in the oil. Both 5W30, but Mobil1 is way thin and almost cooking oil looking, Pennz, a little thicker and tad darker shade.

Just FYI. Will keep posted.

 

I've read good things about Pennzoil lately. I just used it for the first time in my 04 and have been happy with the results so far after about 5k miles (full synthetic High Mileage). Looks new still. Previous oil change with Mobil1 at 5k and it was dark as night. Not that the color is the end all be all but I'll be sticking with Pennzoil from now on.

 

A noticeable change in engine noise as in the tick got louder or quieter lol.

 

I’ve used Pennzoil Platinum for the last 20k and had oil analysis done by Blackstone Labs after each oil change. The results have come back great each time so I haven’t felt the need to change. First change was at 5k, second at 7.5k, third at around 7k. Intervals were around 6-9 months and ambient temps ranged from -55° to +95°.

 

How much do you guys pay to get those analysis done? I do oil analysis for the Navy, and the quality of the oil is not something we check, we only test for wear metals and water for aircraft. I have the ability to check the quality of the oil but that is only done on non aviation engines (diesel generators etc). We check wear metals, viscosity and Total Acid Number though and how much fuel has soaked into the oil. Half the time they have already changed the oil though and we are running a sample for paperwork purposes only lol

Once the machine has been calibrated, it literally takes 28 seconds to burn an oil sample, and another 10 seconds to test the amount of water that is in it. Once we start our lab back up, I will start testing my oil lol.

 

I used the Wix oil analysis because it includes the TBN value in the price. I buy the kit on Amazon when it is offered below $15; currently, it's over $25. I have four kits I bought at $12 each. We need data to compare the two oils. Subjective feelings don't do it for me. I may try it out at next oil change coming up soon. I can say Valvoline MaxLife full syn does not compare favorable over Mobil 1.

 

I guess I never thought of them actually testing the quality of oil, we are really more concerned with what wear metals are in the oil and what component it could possibly be coming from. Its away we can detect failing bearings in jet engines and gears/bearings in gear boxes. I do know this with all the sampling you guys do, they probably have enough wear metal data on the 4.0 to create a nice base line lol. Can you post a photo of your results?

I guess I change my oil to often for break down over time of it to be a real concern for me, its in the engine to do one thing, lubricate moving parts and really as long as that happens, with out it breaking down in 5,10,15k miles I am happy, so I do buy quality oil and filters, but it does give you data to argue what oil is good and what oil sucks. Personally Mobile 1 is pretty huge in the aviation world so that's who I trust and that's what I use. Not saying its the only good oil on the market, I just trust the oil to do what its supposed to do.

I will say this, oil analysis has saved the military/DOD countless lives and billions of dollars finding failing bearings in aircraft engines and gearboxes, its a program that will always be funded and always be around. They are gathering data on the F35 engine currently, weather it actually goes into a regular sampling program or not is yet to be seen.

 

@blefferd, an example Blackstone.

BTW, I agree about Mobil1. It is good oil. But so are Pennzoil, Castrol, Valvoline, etc. I figure trying to say which one is "best" is really splitting hairs, especially when discussing synthetics. Run a few tests to see how the oil wears out, pick an interval that has enough margin, use good filters and you'll be fine. Back when we were lucky if an engine lasted 100K this stuff was more important.

 

I’d doubt Pennzoil is any better or worse than any other name brand synthetic. Either way, Mobil 1 is cheaper when you belong to Costco and seems to be working just fine.

 

I wonder if they get the wear metal averages from Toyota or just there own historical data. I always figured the aluminum on these things would be pretty high but 4ppm seems low for having an aluminum block!

We go off more trend analysis for each individual component being sampled, so samples are taken at regular intervals and the current and historical data is tracked by the lab and performing the sample analysis, the records follow the component. We rely heavily on hours since last sample, and if any new oil was added to make an accurate recommendation to them. The squadron tracks this info also and makes the final call on weather the component or engine needs changed, we only make recommendations to them. Some guys are shady and will sample new oil, which we will promptly pick up in the lab or have to ask if they did an oil change recently lol.

We get our wear metal data from the manufacture, our pubs will tell you the likely cause of a high to abnormal wear metal or an abnormal trend.

 

@blefferd

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/used-oil-analysis-reports-2nd-generation-tacoma.182294/

 

I am going to let you guys in on a little secret when it comes to oil analysis and trending wear metals when you change the oil you rebase line the trend every time, so unless you sample the same oil every 1000k or what ever number or miles or hours on your engine you are more than likely are not going to see a jump in any wear metals or your physical properties.

I can tell you every time a squadron changes the oil in a gear box because the wear metals drop, metal in the oil does not disappear unless you drain it and replace it with new oil. Or add new oil to replace oil that has leaked out or burnt off.

If a squadron wants to rebase a component they know is going to get an abnormal code from the lab they will change the oil and the trend starts over. Wear metals increase over operating time using the same oil.

So only sending samples of oil you have changed really does nothing to help you other than give the lab historical data for that engine. You notice that “universal averages” change as the months wear on from the above posted thread that means they are using there own data gleaned from samples received by TW members.

It would be awesome to see someone go 20k on an oil change and sample every 1-2k miles then you will really see how the engine wears and the oil breaks down.

 

FYI, I drop lower oil pan when changing oil.

 

Running this shit lately. It’s clear as water

 

this stuff I use too, was clearance sale at Advance auto for almost nothing, runs very good in my 2.7l

 

Wish I bought a truck load

 

Never heard of that before, good to know!

 

I got all I could find I my area, what a deal, they just changed the formula over to a DEXOS that's why they clearance out the old formula stuff

 

I should have put 5/30 in for the summer and saved the 0/20 for winter but it is what it is. Ya, that is some thin shit!

 

5W20??? summertime