Oil Analysis

[sP3¢+@¢U£0Us]

I had my first oil analysis run on the used oil (Mobil1 AFE 0w20) from my first full-interval oil change (<1% oil life remaining/7558 miles on oil/8822 total miles on engine).

 

The report showed high wear metals and silicon, which is typical for new engines as they are broken in. Blackstone Labs suggested that I run up to 9500 miles on the next oil fill, since the TBN was still strong at 5.4..

 

Anyone else have their oil analyzed?

[surebuttercringe]

That's good news that they suggested running to 9500 miles. As I've said in multiple oil threads, oils and engines are not the same as they were 50 years ago and we need to stop treating them as such. This pretty much debunks the whole "break-in oil" and "change every 3000 miles" that has been ingrained into our culture.

[gone_fishing]

OP: Could you post the results of your UOA?

 

I just had my 2nd UOA done by Blackstone. Results look good and wear metals are trending downward. I'm glad to see no fuel was detected as this can be a problem for direct injection engines. Both oil samples on this report are the dealership's 0W-20 (GM Dexos1).

 

[sP3¢+@¢U£0Us]

My copper number is quite high. I'm wondering if it is an additive in the Mobil1?

 

from comparing your numbers to mine, it is looking like we can go farther with the Mobil1 AFE over the AC Delco dexos1... I am wondering if I should really push it to 9500 on the oil im running now or just stick with the OLM and change it when it hits 0%.

Blackstone Oil Analysis 140729.pdf

Blackstone Oil Analysis 140729.pdf

Blackstone Oil Analysis 140729.pdf

Blackstone Oil Analysis 140729.pdf

[RyanbabZ71]

I have in my camaro. I will post results later

 

My copper was high they said it's due to break in and typical in gm motors

[gone_fishing]

My copper number is quite high. I'm wondering if it is an additive in the Mobil1?

 

from comparing your numbers to mine, it is looking like we can go farther with the Mobil1 AFE over the AC Delco dexos1... I am wondering if I should really push it to 9500 on the oil im running now or just stick with the OLM and change it when it hits 0%.

 

Thanks for posting your report. I have never seen copper as an additive in any oil so the only source would be from the motor itself. I have read that a lot of motors have high copper levels when new because of copper components in the oil cooling system. I don't know the in's and out's of our cooling systems so it's hard to say. Some engines just shed more copper than others even after break in. Either way I'm willing to bet it will decrease substantially on your next oil change.

 

Your TBN of 5.4 is very good for 7,558 miles. I agree with Blackstone that oil could go further with TBN so high yet. Most Mobil 1 UOA reports that I have seen have their TBN levels slow as they get into the 2.X range. As far as extending the OCI, I personally don't plan to go past 0% on the OLM for warranty purposes. I don't know if there is anyway for a dealer to tell if you have brought the OLM past 0% but I figure why risk it. Maybe when the warranty is up, and a UOA shows potential for it, I would go further on the oil.

 

My current fill is Mobil 1 0W-20 so my next UOA will have the results on this oil. I'll be sure to share them on this board.

[RyanbabZ71]

 

Mobil 1

 

Just under 3k miles (3rd oil change). Car was just over 2 yrs old at the time of the analysis

[Z45]

If only the copper is high, but no other metals such as lead, tin, or aluminum are elevated, it is mostly an oxide of copper from the oil cooler. As the oil cooler is exposed to the heat from the engine oil, it can sometimes oxidize the copper, which will show up in the analysis report. This is considered a normal condition and no corrective action is required. This process usually will taper off or stop occurring over time but can reoccur when switching brands of oil.

[sP3¢+@¢U£0Us]

 

Thanks for posting your report. I have never seen copper as an additive in any oil so the only source would be from the motor itself. I have read that a lot of motors have high copper levels when new because of copper components in the oil cooling system. I don't know the in's and out's of our cooling systems so it's hard to say. Some engines just shed more copper than others even after break in. Either way I'm willing to bet it will decrease substantially on your next oil change.

 

Your TBN of 5.4 is very good for 7,558 miles. I agree with Blackstone that oil could go further with TBN so high yet. Most Mobil 1 UOA reports that I have seen have their TBN levels slow as they get into the 2.X range. As far as extending the OCI, I personally don't plan to go past 0% on the OLM for warranty purposes. I don't know if there is anyway for a dealer to tell if you have brought the OLM past 0% but I figure why risk it. Maybe when the warranty is up, and a UOA shows potential for it, I would go further on the oil.

 

My current fill is Mobil 1 0W-20 so my next UOA will have the results on this oil. I'll be sure to share them on this board.

 

ok, if the oil coolers have copper then that makes sense.

 

I agree with you 100% on following OEM reccommendations for any warranty purposes, so i'll continue to follow the OLM. I have no qualms with running it down to where it shows 1% left.

 

So, this UOA was my 1st. Are you doing them with every change? I'm thinking about maybe doing the next few changes to make sure my high numbers trend down, and then maybe go to UOAs every 2nd or 3rd oil change. These UOAs ain't cheap.

 

We probably need more data, but it is looking like Mobil1 will easily meet the OLM intervals. i would be interested to see a UOA from an Amsoil user in these engines to see if they can manage any longer extended intervals.

[gone_fishing]

So, this UOA was my 1st. Are you doing them with every change?

 

I plan to do at least a couple of them. It's somewhat of a "hobby" for me to do these UOA's. I like to see what is going on

[Black02Silverado]

I do a UOA on all my vehicles and a few others. I just got back a the UOA on our 2012 Cruze and it is showing seriously high iron. Going to gather all the info I can and take it into the dealer. It only has 15k miles on the engine and the oil only had 7k miles on it.

I use Blackstone and Dyson Analysis. Terry gives an indept interpitation. He sends the report back via PDF file along with sending a .wav file explaining each and every wear metal. So you can open the PDF and then listen to the .wav file as he explains the UOA. Very cool.