Valvoline MaxLife???
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Ferndale,MI (Detroit)
Valvoline MaxLife???
Hi folks, I just got my first Ford truck ever and I am getting attatched to it already; its kinda wierd. I have always been in Jap cars but got sick of having to take my latest car (Subaru) to the dealership for anything besides an oil change. So I got rid of it and got into a '95 4.9L 4x2. Its in need of some work but I do have a simple question. Has anyone out there tried Valvoline's MaxLife on their older engines? What do you think of it? I researched their website and they have testimonials claiming that using it stopped oil leaks. My truck has a leak and I wonder if this would be worth my while. I wonder if it really does condition the seals like they claim. Any advice?
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 1
Maxlife and other high mileage oils generally have two things going for them. They are on the thick end of the viscosity range and they empoly ester technology to swell the seals. It may fix a small leak and it may not. Wear metals analysis I have seen on the web says it is a good oil and produces low wear metals. Give it a try, you certainly would be using a quality product.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
I started using MaxLife almost two years ago, believing that it would stop or slow down the leak on the rear main seal. Didn't happen, in fact, the leak actually increased. Perhaps the Maxlife removed some sludge and allowed the leak to increase. Then again, perhaps the MaxLife had nothing to do with it and the leak just worsened on its own. Regardless, I think it is a good oil and continue to use it for its other qualities. At some point, I may have the rear main seal repaired, but right now, it is not so bad that I just monitor my oil and add a little if necessary. I haven't let the seal drive me crazy to have it repaired. Good oil is less expensive over the cost of the repair. Also, wife doesn't mind has I put lots of newspaper on the garage floor to catch any drips.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
I have been told the seal is less than $20.00, however the labor could be in the high $300.00 range. Not sure of the complete accuracy of the cost, so perhaps some other members will jump in on this thread.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by scionti 94
I have been told the seal is less than $20.00, however the labor could be in the high $300.00 range. Not sure of the complete accuracy of the cost, so perhaps some other members will jump in on this thread.
None of them are made the same though it seems but one constant is none of them work overnite .
I like the 10w-30 Citgo Ultra Life . Man , whatta oil
. I also like the Mobil HM oil and the Castrol HM but for different reasons .The topic Valvoline HM oil gets bad press on the internet because it does not have moly . Moly smoly , a good additive that does not make the world go round .
Valvoline knows what they are doing . I like the 10-20 percent PAO in it that they are using solely as a cold weather performance additive .
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
All I used in my truck Is max life and a motor craft filter. The oil stays clean for a good amount of time it gets really dirty before the change at 3000 miles. Ive noticed that my rig uses less oil so far. It burned a half a quart now it burns 1/8 of a quart. Ive always like valvoline though. Its not really that much more than regular valvoline.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TallPaul
But the new SM Maxlife is listed to have 300 ppm moly, apparently to make up for the reduced zinc and phosphorus of GF-4. Still seems like it will be a decent oil.
Without actually knowing if Valvoline has stopped using group I , I'll argue till the cows come home that the reason they now use moly according to the above post is they use cheaper group I and needed moly to help with oxidation and not anti-wear .
I guess we will see if this new generation oil is better or worse when analysis come in and if a new MSDS becomes available and this oil still shows some PAO in it.
Last edited by DOHC; Nov 5, 2004 at 05:37 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Actually, I was hoping that GF-4 would force Valvoline into using better base oils, but since the cold properties don't look as good, I am starting to wonder if the PAO evaporated. I suppose one could get the SM Maxlife and throw in a quart of Mobil One for the PAO. But I think I will take advantage of the $1.99 sale at Pep Boys to stock another case of the SL Maxlife 10w30.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 6
I just read an Amsoil testimonial the other day that a guy didn't change his oil for 400K miles and he took the engine apart and it was in brand new shape. Don't fall for the testimonials. In life you will always find extraordinary things. I've also read of guys living to be 120 years old who smoke and drink daily. I don't think that means we should all do it. Just stick to what works. Regular old oil that meets the specs your manufacturer requires and routine oil changes and maintenance. That's your best bet.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TallPaul
Actually, I was hoping that GF-4 would force Valvoline into using better base oils, but since the cold properties don't look as good, I am starting to wonder if the PAO evaporated.
Now the new oil with moly , some of the deal there is to aid with lowering of phos and zinc .
Search my user name here for High Mileage Oils and look at the adds in some VOA's of HM's Ive posted . The Citgo SL 10w-30 Ultralife looks like a racing oil
Low cost too and does NOT use a seal swell agent . It operates with cleaning in mind like the Mobil HM . Both those HM's are recommended for newer engines too last I saw .
Last edited by DOHC; Nov 11, 2004 at 07:24 AM.