Liqui Moly
This page deals with Liqui Moly brand oils
Introduction
Liqui Moly is one of the most divisive oil brands among enthusiasts. Some people claim its products are magic, others claim snake oil. So, how does it stand up to lubricity testing?
Legend
N/A = NO ADDITIVES
M# = SQUID INK ADDITIVE MIX VARIATION
C# = CUSTOM MIX, SEE UNDER CHARTS FOR MORE DETAILS
Results
Leichtlauf High Tech 5W40
Recommended blend: M5 or M7
"Leichtlauf" (meaning "smooth running" in German) High Performance looks like a 20 weight oil under pouring and running conditions despite being labeled as 40 (an SAE rated 20 weight oil should be nearly 3 times as viscous as a 40 weight). It weighs 15.720 g per 20 mL. Most 30 weight oils are 15.250-16.000 g per 20 mL, so this oil appears to be more in the W30 range in terms of mass.
The base performance of LMLLHT is average at 30 minutes, but starts to degrade quickly after the 45-60 minute part rising to very high temperatures and required power at the 60 and 120 minute marks. The 120 minute wear scar was relatively large (a good base oil like VR1 produced a wear scar nearly 50% of the size). However, with the M5 and M7 blends, significantly improved results were produced.
It has a very distinctive odor when heated. You can tell Liqui Moly apart from other oils just by smell.
It has little/no residual film left on components after oil stops flowing. It flows easily and cleanly. However, it has poor dry-start ability, and each time weight was applied it needed to be applied very gradually. Other oils were able to have full weight within a few seconds after rotation began. This oil took about 45-60 seconds to full load otherwise the machine would seize.
Very high temps after the 30 minute mark and high energy usage leads to the assumption that this is not a "racing oil", in that its performance degrades under long and extensive stress.
It is worth noting that this rather expensive oil ($40-$60 per 5 quarts), and is only SN rated, not SN-PLUS like many other oils in and below its price range.
This oil with no additives left the cylinder with rather large and deep scarring.
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This oil performed poorly for its price and deified reputation.