Oil burning update - try Valvoline VR1

[Paul Kelley]

I posted some months back about oil burning and various of you kindly posted replies and I promised to update you. So, a good 1,200 miles on and my oil consumption is much better than before and far less blue smoke. Here's what I did: followed Mick's advice to deglaze piston rings by working the engine hard uphill. Can't say for sure but I've been doing that and generally revving the car much more - 5,500 regularly.
But, the main point is this: on a tip from my local 'go to' mechanic (John at Old Forge Motors Harrogate) I ran the car for 200 ish miles with part flushing oil part Millers Classic as already in it and new. We then switched oils to Valvoline racing oil VR1 20/50 and - hey presto, instant result! Better oil pressure all the time, much less smoke, and consumption back to 1 pint 500-600 miles - which I can easily live with. John is ex-DB Aston and swears by Valvoline and says it works in old Astons every time - and in at least one Stag so far.
Hope this helps - if anyone out there knows a reason not to use Valvoline let me know now!! It's generally available, I paid £26 for 5 litres on a deal at Europarts.
Cheers, Paul

[Mark Shutt]

I just put 5 litre of VR1 in mine today, Europarts wanted to charge me £28+vat until I mentioned £26 all on website!! it took every drop of it though mine also smokes a little when revved a bit, will see if it's made a difference..

[wilf]

Another Valvoline convert here, been using it for the past 10 years and more. Great stuff for older engines.

[V Mad]

The evidence in support of VR1 seems to be mounting up. Even I could be reaching down in my pockets to fork out a bit more on oil (mind you I would probably only find old tissues, fishing gear, or other rubbish )

[mike@thenook]

I always use it now and when you compare the price against e.g Castrol GTX it's very reasonable and comes in 5l rather than the silly 4l of many others.
It maintains pressure and stays clean - brilliant!

[KOY 23]

Many of us have been using it for years, it has a high ZDDP content which us ideal for our engines. It has been strongly recommended by those on this forum who know what they are talking about.
i don't think I have ever paid much over £22 for 5 litres, which is little more than a shop branded product of unknown pedigree.
no brainer IMHO.

[Guest]

Take a look at Shell Rotella and other diesel oils for better value they have more ZDDP. Use it in my VMax.

John

[TR5convalescent]

Used VR1 in my TR5 for 11 years. Car had done 105k miles at sale with only a strip and rebuild at 78K. Apart from new shell bearings and oil pump rebuild no parts replaced in short engine. Oil consumption was a pint every 1000- 1500 miles.

Great oil!

My old chemistry master ran a 6 Cylinder Rover p4 in the 1970s and would only put Valvoline in it.

[Guest]

Used VR1 in my TR5 for 11 years. Car had done 105k miles at sale with only a strip and rebuild at 78K. Apart from new shell bearings and oil pump rebuild no parts replaced in short engine. Oil consumption was a pint every 1000- 1500 miles.

Great oil!

My old chemistry master ran a 6 Cylinder Rover p4 in the 1970s and would only put Valvoline in it.

Lots of great oil out there in fact Valvoline has a great diesel oil, but why spend more than you need. The only problem with oil with high ZDDP is that it often doesn't have friction modifying addictive's, which is just fine with a wet clutch as in my bike as they slip badly with friction modifiers, many a wet clutch has been replaced only to start slipping again because of the wrong oil used. GTX some years ago started using friction modifiers but not today boy did they get into trouble with us bikers, it was one of our favourite brands, as they sponsor a lot of bike racing.
I use oil with a high ZDDP in my bike because I beat on it and have broken the 2nd gear and in my (Muncie M21 in my old 68 Firebird not really relevant just braging). Motor cycle transmission's now run in gear oil and the zinc helps cushion the gears.

In truth recycled oil will probably be just fine as long as you find out what addictive pack is used and adjust to your preferences. Oil in fact doesn't wear out but gets dirty witch you can strain out but this removes the detergent and addictive's, though you can easily replace said.

In our engines extra ZDDP is a contaminant! which is only advisable in engines without hardened valve seats and can actually cause deposits in places which get very hot. Royal Purple oil is popular with the racers with it's high zinc content but remember they routinely strip and rebuild their engines.

There was a study conducted by some consumer organisation in New York City not long after synthetic oil was launched. (in fact I traveled to the states and imported a case for my own use, the newfangled Castrol synthetic oil as it was not then available here in Canada.) This trial tested every day ordinary oil over a MILLION miles the N.Y. taxis.
On strip down after the cabs had completed their assigned mileage the USAA club? reported no discernible wear. Remember this was over 20 years ago.

John

[Dieter H. Marschall]

Hello everybody,

For the last four years I have been quite happy with VR1 in my Stag. It might be one of the best mineral oils for oldies on the market.

After the engine of my TR6 was rebuilt the rebuilder made me swear that I use exclusively synthetic Castrol Edge Formula RS 10W60 though.

Best wishes,
Dieter - from Germany.

[Paul Kelley]

It's good to hear that Valvoline VR1 gets a general thumbs up - I'm impressed too. Also have learnt a new acronym - ZDDP - to drop into conversations. 'Well, it's all down to the ZDDP of course'! Cheers Paul