2.7L Engine Borescope Pictures of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 vs HPL 0W-30

[LSW]

I have 2 Broncos with the 2.7L Ecoboost Engine.

The first Bronco (Valvoline Restore and Protect) was purchased new in October 2023. At time of these pictures (two days agoa) it has 36,456 and has the following oil change history:
0 - 6914 miles - Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-30 (factory fill)
6914 - 13,477 - 20,378 - 24,500 - Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-30
24,500 - 25,000 - 30,000 - 35,000 - Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30

The second Bronco (HPL) was purchased new in March 2024. In these pictures it has 28,836 miles and has had the following oil changes:
0 - 491 miles - Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-30 (factory fill)
491 - 3069 - 7020 - 11,019 - 14,500 Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-30
14,500 - 15,000 - 20,000 - 25,000 HPL Premium Plus PCEO 0W-30

Here are the borescope images taken today at the above indicated mileages. They were taken through the oil filler neck and show the area inside the front cover of the engine around the timing chains on the driver's side.

Both are based in Alaska. They have both been run mostly on shell V-power premium fuel (90 octane because that is as high as it goes here). They both have auto start/stop defeated via wiring harness. They both get a 20 oz Chevron Techron Complete fuel system additive on the last tank of fuel before oil change. Neither has had any mehcanical problems. No towing done by either.

They are the same mechanically except for the following:
HPL Bronco: 4.7 axle ratio with 34" tires, "sasquatch" package (fox 3.0 shocks), metal skid plates, front locker
Valvoline Restore and Protect Bronco: 4.46 axle ratio with 32" tires, Hitachi shocks, plastic skid plates, no front locker.

Used oil analysis history for both engines (for the HPL engine on the top the 1&2 lines are the M1 AFE):

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[Squatch]

Love all the data and actual pictures.

 

[PowerBronco]

I've really been contemplating putting the Valvoline restore and protect into a rotation ever few oil changes. Also I am strongly considering running this in my 200k mile FJ to get the insides cleaned up. I recently had to change the cam phasers in the FJ (yea not just Fords have phaser problems) and while not bad, there definitely was some level of varnish build up in the valvetrain and timing system.

I saw a video from The Motor Oil Geek recently, and I have been researching this Valvoline oil ever since to see if I want to give it a go.

 

[GA2Dr]

Guts look great on both engines - kudos!

 

[SuperDave150]

THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO & PICTURES!
I grew up working on engines (my dad was an engineer & NHRA racer who did his own mechanic work). I was an early adopter of Mobil 1 after seeing what regular oil looks like after 50,000+ miles. Used it exclusively in my 1988 Toyota pickup since new. At 100,000 miles I had the valve cover off to adjust valves at it still looked clean & new! I’m sold on using high quality synthetics. This Valvoline product is quite interesting.

 

[iamcris]

6 QTS LOL.
Other than that great post.

 

[wiggledbits]

And inexpensive too.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

thanks for posting the data and pics

 

[23OBX2.7]

Very cool post. Alternatively just run 100% natural gas synthetic.

The affect of any restore / cleaner on various seats and seals is unknown I personally would never use it though it's very compelling.

 

[TLO]

"Removes up to 100% of engine killing deposits"...
Let's just hope the oil filter catches these deposits before the main bearings do!

 

[DALOLA]

I've been hearing more & more positive feedback from various sources about the VRP, seems like it's legit. I may put it into the rotation with my Mobile1 ESP.

 

[Cordycord]

Boy the historical "best color" has been a golden corn when you open up the engine. The VRP almost seems TOO clean! Oil's job is lubrication, heat dispersion, and to fight thermal breakdown, with the detergent additives in charge of cleaning duties. Racing oil doesn't include detergents because it takes away from oil's other main jobs.

I'm intrigued though. It seems like the VRP is "sticking" to the walls of the engine. Whether that's a molecular bond or something else, I'd like to know. Seems to be doing its job.

 

[NC_Oak]

I won't claim to know very much about oil. I do know whenever I rebuilt heads I always used assembly lube. To the post above regarding VRP clinging, it visually seems the opposite. I imagine theres a thin enough film to protect wear at startup. Curious about this. very interesting

 

[ScottyC]

Photos kinda remind me of a deep sea drone and footage of a sunken ship....lol

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Boy the historical "best color" has been a golden corn when you open up the engine. The VRP almost seems TOO clean! Oil's job is lubrication, heat dispersion, and to fight thermal breakdown, with the detergent additives in charge of cleaning duties. Racing oil doesn't include detergents because it takes away from oil's other main jobs.

I'm intrigued though. It seems like the VRP is "sticking" to the walls of the engine. Whether that's a molecular bond or something else, I'd like to know. Seems to be doing its job.

Perfectly said. I'm more concerned on wear metals in UOA and buildup versus complete cleanliness.

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