Finally the difference between XLF & Premium Plus

**jwall116** · 11-13-2016, 03:26 AM

Whats going on S&F!

I don't have popcorn... only movie theater butter.

Have done plenty of reading on this site regarding the differences between Pennzoil Prem plus and XLF. Seems most of everyone likes the stuff and no one really knows the difference between the two. I attempted to contact Pennzoil without any real answers. So I have dug deeper and have the below virgin oil analysis for both oils. Also added in one for the quicksilver oil for comparison. The data is from Bobistheoilguy, I take ZERO credit for the data. You can google search "virgin oil analysis #####" to find the raw data.

Penz Prem Plus - Has a small amount of Moly and little zinc/phosphate (ZDDP)
XLF - has similar amounts of zinc and Phosphate (ZDDP) to the merc stuff and no moly
Quicksilver Prem Plus - Tons of moly, zinc and phosphate (ZDDP)

XLF and Quicksilver oil have about the same amounts of Zinc and Phosphate in them. The biggest difference is the moly.

Per the results.... looks like the XLF does have a better additive package to it.

Pennz Premium Plus -- on the left and quicksilver Prem Plus on the right for comparison

Pennz Premium Plus VS Mercury Premium Plus
Copper - 0/0
Iron - 0/3
Chromium - 0/0
Aluminum - 0/6
Lead - 0/0

Additives(PPM):
Molybdenum -2/1050 <<< Wonder why it causes carbon/soot !
Phosphorus - 9/32
Zinc - 15/39
Magnesium - 0/0
Calcium - 38/120

XLF

PPM:
copper - 0
iron - 0
chrome - 0
lead - 0
aluminum - 0
silicon - 2
sodium - 1
potassium - 0
moly - 0 <<<<<
boron - 2
barium - 0
calcium - 14
magnesium - 0
phosphorous - 28 <<<<<
antimony - 0
zinc - 38 <<<<<<

**Markus** · 11-13-2016, 03:55 AM

If you look at a bottle of Quicksilver Premium Plus, you will see that there are a whole bunch (eight or something like that) different TC-W3 test numbers on the label, i.e. a whole bunch of different possible formulations inside that bottle.

So there apparently is no single Quicksilver Premium Plus formulation - they probably just buy what they get the best price for on a given day in a given region.

**SANTAFE** · 11-13-2016, 12:44 PM

I saw Pennzoil full synthetic at Academy for 44 bucks a gallon.

**jwall116** · 11-13-2016, 02:04 PM

I have never ran quicksilver and don't plan to start

At Academy i've been paying $17.99 for XLF. Prem plus is $19.99, same as the quicksilver prem plus. Fully synthetic is $44.

No need to run the fully synthetic stuff with my setup. She's bone stock but loves WOT.

**David - WI** · 11-13-2016, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Markus

If you look at a bottle of Quicksilver Premium Plus, you will see that there are a whole bunch (eight or something like that) different TC-W3 test numbers on the label, i.e. a whole bunch of different possible formulations inside that bottle.

So there apparently is no single Quicksilver Premium Plus formulation - they probably just buy what they get the best price for on a given day in a given region.

I don't think that's it at all. The TC-W3 "standard" or "certification" keeps changing to include more types of oils; I imagine they just want to make it clear that their's still meets all the old standards as well as the new ones. It's really all kind of a mess; except that it doesn't really mean much. LOL

https://www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets...20TCW3%206.pdf

**Mr. Demeanor** · 11-13-2016, 07:28 PM

I thnk XLF is likely just marketed different. I've run both and see now difference in soot, apparent viscosity, etc.

**jwall116** · 11-14-2016, 05:03 PM

XLF clearly has an increase in in anti-wear additives (ZDDP) over the Prem plus. I will gladly take the extra additives... oddly XLF is $2 cheaper than its counter part.

**WILDMAN** · 11-15-2016, 01:17 AM

You guys may think I'm crazy, but I have always run WALMART oil! Never had an issue in 20 years. I have run my Flamed 21 Liberator with twin 280's at 9000 rpm and never had a problem. It has the TCW-3 rating and has never fouled a plug or had an oil related failure. Say what you want and spend what you want, but I'll stick with the Walmart oil!

**home made tunnel** · 11-15-2016, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by WILDMAN

You guys may think I'm crazy, but I have always run WALMART oil! Never had an issue in 20 years. I have run my Flamed 21 Liberator with twin 280's at 9000 rpm and never had a problem. It has the TCW-3 rating and has never fouled a plug or had an oil related failure. Say what you want and spend what you want, but I'll stick with the Walmart oil!

<--- Also a walmart oil guy

**JohnR** · 11-15-2016, 05:10 PM

For what I can get the Premium Plus for at Advance Auto ($14/gal after using the 30% coupon code) it doesn't make sense to get the Walmart stuff. If for no other reason than it keeps me out of Walmart.

**Capt.Insane-o** · 11-15-2016, 05:26 PM

I bought 36 gallons of Cabellas semi synthetic when it was on sale for 10 bucks a gallon

**eli** · 11-15-2016, 08:30 PM

we used to run injex in boats and snowmobiles 1992 thru 2002 seemed good in the day i just finished my 55 gal drum of merc hi perf blend 2 lasted 13 years
so i,m on to different oil i believe oil today is pretty good so i guess the price is where it is at

**olboatman** · 11-15-2016, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Capt.Insane-o

I bought 36 gallons of Cabellas semi synthetic when it was on sale for 10 bucks a gallon

Hey Capt. That should get ya through to next season!!!!

Gary

**Capt.Insane-o** · 11-15-2016, 09:05 PM

I have 1 gallon left

**ssv1761982** · 11-15-2016, 11:07 PM

Wouldn't the Molybdenum in the Merc Premium Plus make it a better lubricant? It looked to me that Merc had more of all the additives listed.

I don't understand the comment about Merc oil creating carbon/soot because of it.

I suppose it would take a lot of hours running each oil to actually see the difference, if it is even measurable.