I think the Moly appears in modern engine oil nowadays are so called "soluble moly" or "organic moly" such as MoDTC or MoDTP.
Meanwhile, MoS2 considers as insoluble moly which is why it is in grey colour due to the nature of the solid particles suspended.
That's what my limited understanding on Moly.

The MoS2 actually binds to the metal through the sulfur atom, but perhaps not as strong as ZDDP binding to the metal parts of engine.
https://www.imoa.info/molybdenum-uses/molyb.../lubricants.php

As for Bardhal, C60, it uses MoDTC but coupled with polysulphide complex, as the other layer. Am I correct it the presumption?

I don't have any way to tell as sulphur is not tested for all my samples from Blackstone labs.

I would like to think Sulphur is added minimally considering the potential issue on oil becoming acidic (faster), and/or cat con poisoning.

And of course, the EU low SAPS agenda.
But I could be wrong since the MoS2 engine oil additive I've been using (also 2 sample reports done, 3rd Sample with Penrite and Sepang track day is coming very soon!) is by Tan Chong, and may very well ignore any EU regulations, despite it's been OEM/produced by Liqui Moly Germany.

Yes the additive is indeed in very dark grey/black colour. Visibly very powdery.


No idea with Bardhal. Never looked into that brand.

Finally Q&A from my end

Engine
1) Can we consider the up trend of aluminium and iron be related to the Moly additives? or just a negligible difference that's probably just from the slight increase of mileage ran?
I think this is more just a negligible difference based on changes in mileage/use.

2) What does Trace (TR) mean in the report? Specifically, what % of fuel is present as opposed to a number value of previous samples such as <0.5? Or is it a binary value "yes or no" that is either trace or below 0.5?
It means "trace" — not enough to quantify. So, yes, there's fuel present, but the way we measure fuel, we can't get precise enough to say how much.

3) Would throttle body cleaners contribute to fuel trace?
I'm not entirely sure. Depends on when you used them and how much you used, I would guess... but this isn't something that, to my knowledge, we've isolated as a variable and tested.

4) From what I've mentioned in the notes, would the increased Silicon be a result of the vacuum leak?
It could be, sure.


Manual Transmission
1) What does Boron and Magnesium do for transmission additives?
I'm not entirely sure. In engine oils they serve as anti-wear/anti-corrosion additives and detergent/dispersant additives, but I don't know that we know for sure what purpose they serve in transmission fluid. Might be the same purpose.

2) Considering the additives are quite identical, the only difference between Mobil and Motul is just the base oil?
I don't know that I'd call them identical, but very, very similar. There could be other things that are different between them — things we don't test. Like, for example, the base stock of the oil.

3) Does Blackstone Labs have any tests that can identify any samples's base oil?
Not at this time.


Rear Differential / LSD
1) As this is my first rear differential sample, and the car was manufactured in 2013, with a significant amount of mileage, it seems like the differential is still kinda running in from the wear trend? (nickel / silicon amount)
I'm not sure — I guess it depends on how many oil changes have been done. If it's been more than a couple oil changes, I wouldn't expect this metal to still be from wear-in.

2) My friend's previous report highlighted a lot more Nickel as I was slightly worried, and referred to his report [omit]
His unit was considerably newer; probably that was a break-in sample.

3) It does beg the question: Why do the universal averages differ quite a bit from both our differential sample reports? It's as if the universal average does not contain nickel at all while ours have a lot more.
Because our differential average files aren't as precise as what the engine average files are. Most people have no idea of the make/model of their differential, so anything that comes with a Toyota name is put together in the average file — Anything from Tundras and other pickup trucks to sportier cars. It would be ideal if we separated the units out a bit more and had precise averages, but we don't see as many differential samples as we do engine oil samples, so the number of samples (and the lack of information about the samples) prevents more specific averages from being created.

4) My friend's (assuming) factory fill seemed a lot thinner. How much does viscosity contribute in reducing wear?
I don't know that it does, necessarily. For differentials, this isn't something we've explored a lot. We've explored it a bit more in engine oil samples just because we get so many more engine oil samples than differential samples, so there's enough data to come up with some meaningful reults. Also, the frequency of sampling engine oil vs differential samples lends itself to a bit more comprehensive examination. It's hard with differentials when they're only sampled every 30,000 miles — and sometimes they're only sampled once or twice within a vehicle's life. It's hard to get any hard-and-fast data on how viscosity affects wear patterns.

5) Considering probably the only downside for thicker viscosity oils in a Torsen differential is only fuel consumption or efficiency, if reducing wear is the goal, just go as thick as possible?
I don't know; we don't have enough data to say. (see previous question)

Noted. Thanks for your input.

Just curious, I notice Valvoline Malaysia doesn't seem to bring in SynPower Eco 0w20. The one that able to be found from official is just SynPower 0w20 without the Eco labelling.
Mind to share where you get it from? Kind of interested in their oil especially the new Restore and Protect. Too bad, seems like Valvoline Malaysia not yet bring it in.

yeah i find it weird myself too as i never noticed that eco labeling Valvoline in Malaysia.
closest thing i found is Valvoline Thailand lol

i got it directly through a friend, through direct distributor or uh partnership?
https://greatoceanauto.com.my/valvoline-partnership/

https://dasmalaysia.com/sirim-certification...ed%20by%20SIRIM.

When the above requirement comes into effect, i guess we will be forced to purchase more expensive engive oil distributed my Malaysia local dealer.

Shopee reseller may not be allow to import engine oils from other countries.


I personally don't think it will solve the fake oil issues since fake oil makers can just reprint their label to include SIRIM logo.

This post has been edited by Thrust: Aug 2 2025, 08:22 AM

Price hike for most engine oil soon 😐

Hi, just wanna ask what difference is Castrol GTX with Magnatec. Both are fully syn. Currrently using GTX for my Iriz, contemplating should i spend bit more for magnatec?

Castrol gtx already enough, as long as genuine castrol engine oil

Anyone using caltex engine oil? How was it?

Any story for this?

Someome posted on paultan discussion group via facebook, im shocked what happened to them thru shopee platform, im not sure what cause of vanli been banned from shopee

Still can buy from them thru tiktok shop and lazada

This post has been edited by GamersFamilia: Oct 6 2025, 05:26 PM

Got ban? I still can see and buy

Few hours back vanli got banned from shopee, now already back to business

Ok.

Glad they are back to business via shopee 😃 trusted seller 👍

Hopefully they will promote to shopee mall

Lzd also got vanli

Even tiktok shop also got vanli