Bavalin Restore and Protect cleans piston ring grooves in a 500,000-mile Ford EcoBoost

Roger England from bavalin allowed inspection of a Ford EcoBoost engine that had run 500,000 miles on conventional oil, then was run for about 150 hours on Bavalin Restore and Protect before teardown. Used-oil analysis (first, middle two, last samples) and a physical teardown tell a consistent story: Restore-and-protect activity liberated deposits from pistons and ring grooves without causing measurable wear increases.

Particle counts rose as the product cleaned deposits: the initial sample showed "5,401 particles greater than 4 micron" (ISO cleanliness code '2017-11'), the middle sample rose to "17,070 particles greater than 4 micron' (ISO '21-18-12'), and the final sample recorded ISO '21-17-12', indicating ongoing cleanup rather than catastrophic contamination. Fuel dilution fell over the test—0.82% at the first 24-hour sample, mid-tests at 0.76% and 0.75%, and 0.66% in the final sample—consistent with restored ring sealing reducing blow-by and fuel ingress. Wear-metal levels (iron, copper, aluminum) showed "no change," while silicon dropped (attributed to RTV sealants), so the protect claim appeared supported: cleaning occurred without increased wear.

Teardown evidence was direct and dramatic. Before the treatment all four second rings were stuck and three of the oil control rings were stuck; after running Restore and Protect the speaker describes the piston as "completely clean" and shows un-stuck ring grooves. The presenter highlights that modern thin, low-tension rings are more prone to sticking from deposits and that restoring groove cleanliness can improve oil control, reduce deposits, reduce detonation-triggered timing pullback, and recover fuel economy. The video also notes compatibility claims: Bavalin Restore and Protect is API, SP and SQ rated and passes HNBR material compatibility tests relevant to Ford's wet-belt EcoBoost design, and cautions that aftermarket additives do not undergo the same compatibility testing. The presenter offers a possible comparison test with "mobile one advanced clean" and expresses surprise at how effectively the product cleaned this high-mileage engine.