Which Engine Oil Contaminant Brand Wins?
In our test we compared 5 engine oil contaminant options head to head. Anti-Seize came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Anti-Seize
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Sugar
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“Clearly, anti-seize is the least destructive additive yet.”
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
Starting compression
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantclose to50 psi
on this engine, versus about 45 psi baseline on the other four engines, ambiguity kept verbatim rather than treated as an error
- 2Sugar
very close to 45 psi
- 3Sand dirt contamination45 psi
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contaminationabout45 psi
- 5Valve Grinding Compound
very close to 45 psi
Runtime to failure
- 3Sand dirt contaminationjust over2 hours
outlasting the metal shavings engine's roughly 100 minutes
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contamination
very close to 100 minutes; developed a knock around 11 minutes, intensified through 35 minutes, began smoking badly around 1 hour 10 minutes
- 5Valve Grinding Compound2 minutes 7 seconds
developed an engine knock within about 1 minute of starting, heavy vibration caused the test stand to shift
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantnot tested
- 2Sugarnot tested
Internal damage
- 3Sand dirt contamination
valve lash about three times normal, a lot of aluminum glitter in the drained oil, camshaft wear present but less severe than the metal shavings engine, connecting rod cap worn but without deep grooves, moderate piston scoring, cylinder wall described as not looking too bad compared to the metal shavings engine
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contamination
the connecting rod cap's oil slinger arm broke off during the test, rod cap interior and big end badly damaged, deep scratches on the piston ring and crankshaft, deep gouges in the cylinder wall, visible camshaft wear, heavy carbon buildup on the exhaust valve and spark plug
- 5Valve Grinding Compound
by far the most damaged cylinder of any engine tested, piston rings completely seized, connecting rod cap destroyed, big end badly damaged, camshaft damage; engine would not restart afterward even with starting fluid
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantnot tested
- 2Sugarnot tested
All measurements (4 more)+
Runtime before test ended
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricant118 minutes
almost 2 hours, still no engine smoke and sounding good, test ended by the presenter rather than by engine failure
- 2Sugar
just over an hour, sounding perfectly fine throughout, test ended by the presenter rather than by engine failure
- 3Sand dirt contaminationnot tested
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contaminationnot tested
- 5Valve Grinding Compoundnot tested
Pull force to turn engine over after cooldown
- 2Sugar31.4 lb
up from a 22 lb baseline on a new engine
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantnot tested
- 3Sand dirt contaminationnot tested
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contaminationnot tested
- 5Valve Grinding Compoundnot tested
Restart after test
- 2Sugar
took two attempts but started and ran normally
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantnot tested
- 3Sand dirt contaminationnot tested
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contaminationnot tested
- 5Valve Grinding Compoundnot tested
Starting pull force
- 4Steel Shavings metal shavings contaminationabout22 lb
before the shavings were added
- 1Anti-Seize aluminum anti-seize lubricantnot tested
- 2Sugarnot tested
- 3Sand dirt contaminationnot tested
- 5Valve Grinding Compoundnot tested
How it was tested
- sustained running time until engine failure or test conclusion with each substance added to the crankcase of a new 212cc Harbor Freight Predator engine using Shell Rotella T6 15W40 oil
- compression reading in psi before and after testing
- force in lb required to turn the engine over via pull starter, before and after testing
- post teardown internal inspection of the spark plug, piston, piston rings, cylinder wall, camshaft, connecting rod, and valves
“Clearly, anti-seize is the least destructive additive yet.”
