Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis Questions
03-04-2009, 10:34 AM
#1
bringin lead
Thread Starter
Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis Questions
On this last oil change, I collected a sample and had Blackstone Labs analyze it. This is the report they sent me back and I have a few questions. Notice the run time on the sample was 7,750 miles. I wanted to extend my run time, but it appears, based on these results, that I shouldn't consider it and they're suggesting a shorter interval.
Aluminum was found to be 230% higher than it should.
Iron was found to be 210% higher than it should.
Lead was found to be 350% higher than it should.
Magnesium was only 10% of what it should have been.
I just installed the Unorthodox SC pulley (during this interval) and will be watching the lead figures for bearing wear on future analysis. Other engine mods include K&N air filter (resonator removed), P2R tb spacer, and obviously the pulley.
My questions are:
1) Should I be concerned with the amount of piston slap and bearing wear the report indicates?
2) What can I do (including a shorter run time on oil) to reduce this seemingly very specific wear?
3) Guys in the know or who have had the analysis completed before - what does this report tell me about my engine and what can I do to make it last another 100,000 at least?
4) Should I even be concerned until I can have another analysis completed to notice any trends?
Aluminum was found to be 230% higher than it should.
Iron was found to be 210% higher than it should.
Lead was found to be 350% higher than it should.
Magnesium was only 10% of what it should have been.
I just installed the Unorthodox SC pulley (during this interval) and will be watching the lead figures for bearing wear on future analysis. Other engine mods include K&N air filter (resonator removed), P2R tb spacer, and obviously the pulley.
My questions are:
1) Should I be concerned with the amount of piston slap and bearing wear the report indicates?
2) What can I do (including a shorter run time on oil) to reduce this seemingly very specific wear?
3) Guys in the know or who have had the analysis completed before - what does this report tell me about my engine and what can I do to make it last another 100,000 at least?
4) Should I even be concerned until I can have another analysis completed to notice any trends?
03-04-2009, 11:01 AM
#2
Ackniculous One
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Dammit Dan..i go about 7500 - 9000 on synthetic mobil 1 with K&N filter...i guess i should really be worried also...dang, i hope this isn't as bad as these numbers are showing..thanks for posting this up!
Last edited by CJITTY; 03-04-2009 at 11:03 AM.
03-04-2009, 11:35 AM
#4
Senior Moderator
Is this the first run with syn? Was the sample clean (taken from the stream and not from the oil catch pan).
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
03-04-2009, 12:13 PM
#6
Needs wheels
Is this the first run with syn? Was the sample clean (taken from the stream and not from the oil catch pan).
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
03-04-2009, 12:14 PM
#7
bringin lead
Thread Starter
Is this the first run with syn? Was the sample clean (taken from the stream and not from the oil catch pan).
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
If you have that much wear you have problems that nothing can fix. Run it again to 7500 and retest.
And CJITTY, thats not normal. My levels were never that high with 15k intervals.
Think the pulley is contributing to the abnormal piston and bearing wear?
what are you referring to? nobody said this first test indicates a trend.
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03-04-2009, 12:17 PM
#8
bringin lead
Thread Starter
03-04-2009, 01:08 PM
#9
Ackniculous One
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Well, i know our factory interval on regular oil is 7500, so i wasn't too concerned about going 8, 9 or 10K on synthetic..its nice to know we can go out to 15K like Kris has done. I guess initially, i was thinking that both Dan and I had pulley's installed and I was curious if that would have any impact to abnormal wear at all. I can't see how it could..either way, this is interesting stuff. My car has lasted 99,850 miles so far with no issues other than the 1st tranny, no other issues..leaks or anything like that going on right now..hopign for another 100K just like Dan
03-04-2009, 04:33 PM
#10
Senior Moderator
Well, i know our factory interval on regular oil is 7500, so i wasn't too concerned about going 8, 9 or 10K on synthetic..its nice to know we can go out to 15K like Kris has done. I guess initially, i was thinking that both Dan and I had pulley's installed and I was curious if that would have any impact to abnormal wear at all. I can't see how it could..either way, this is interesting stuff. My car has lasted 99,850 miles so far with no issues other than the 1st tranny, no other issues..leaks or anything like that going on right now..hopign for another 100K just like Dan
03-04-2009, 04:43 PM
#11
mid stream drain with warm oil from warm up drive- thats the most accurate way to sample or you get leftovers from the bottem of the pan
Do another run on current brand then try a different oil and see how it goes
Blackstone has found that 5000 is about the real life of the special additives in oil that prevent wear
Yours still had a good number for that, but the other crud floating around calls for a change
I average 6-8k and then change mine with the penz platinum and a K&N
If you want to run long intervals change the filter at 7 and send a sample in.
Kris does long cruising miles in a day so his useage is different, and his car seems to have double the life of parts over other members
Do another run on current brand then try a different oil and see how it goes
Blackstone has found that 5000 is about the real life of the special additives in oil that prevent wear
Yours still had a good number for that, but the other crud floating around calls for a change
I average 6-8k and then change mine with the penz platinum and a K&N
If you want to run long intervals change the filter at 7 and send a sample in.
Kris does long cruising miles in a day so his useage is different, and his car seems to have double the life of parts over other members
03-04-2009, 04:47 PM
#12
I wonder about seafoam in the oil before change- then next sample see if it has dropped anywhere--
03-04-2009, 05:01 PM
#14
bringin lead
Thread Starter
don't get concerned just yet - my sample was not taken to the letter of their directions. sample was taken COLD (they suggest warm or hot) and at the end of the drain stream (they suggest middle). i'll do another sample (correct this time) on the next change at 7,500 miles and see where it comes out.
03-04-2009, 05:19 PM
#15
9th Gear
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Hello all,
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
03-04-2009, 05:36 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Hello all,
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
In race conditions you might be correct. 3K on any oil is a waste. 7500k for regular driving is fine.
I got 15K on mobile extended performance without problems.
Food for thought.
03-04-2009, 06:17 PM
#17
bringin lead
Thread Starter
rob-2 - have you had your oil analyzed? i thought i had "no problems" too until yesterday when I got this report back.
03-04-2009, 06:20 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
Nope. I have the bottles here. I have 129K on the motor and it doesn't burn any oil. I'll test it the next round of 15K (a little over a year from now).
03-04-2009, 06:25 PM
#19
bringin lead
Thread Starter
mine doesn't burn oil either. i've never had to add oil to this engine between changes. don't let that be your (only) guide as to the wear your motor is experiencing.
03-05-2009, 12:05 AM
#20
Moderator
It's difficult to draw a conclusion from just one sample unless the results are alarming (which they are not), so I would maintain the same interval and sample again at your next scheduled oil change.
Blackstone's credibility when it comes to comments is fairly poor, so I would take what they say as a grain of salt in situations like these.
The wear metals are a tad on the higher side, but I wouldn't say that an imminent failure is likely or that there was any harm done.
I wonder if you sent this sample to the ExxonMobil tech line, what would they have to say?
Blackstone's credibility when it comes to comments is fairly poor, so I would take what they say as a grain of salt in situations like these.
The wear metals are a tad on the higher side, but I wouldn't say that an imminent failure is likely or that there was any harm done.
I wonder if you sent this sample to the ExxonMobil tech line, what would they have to say?
03-05-2009, 07:31 AM
#21
Senior Moderator
Hello all,
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
Perhaps I could shed some light on motor longevity. Any motor should be able to last until 300k provided with regular maintenance. 3000k intervals with regular oil and regular filter. 5000k intervals with full synthetic oil and with a superior filter (K&N or mobil1). However if you are constantly redlining your motor and putting it under a lot of duress then I would recommend changing the oil every 3000k on full synthetic.
I use to have a really fast civic with a fully built motor that was built and I would change oil every 2000k running full synthetic(0W-40. I would race on a daily basis and must have hit my 9500k redline more times than I have taken a piss in my lifetime. Had a oil analysis done with 30k and results were excellent.
Hope that helps. If you have any further questions feel free to ask.
03-05-2009, 08:14 AM
#22
kris- would you link your prior results page--so a normal readout can be seen
thanks~
thanks~
03-05-2009, 08:16 AM
#23
If your car isnt burning a small amount of oil you have real problems!!
The pressures inside should force a small amount of oil past the rings
Thats why many of us throw in a full 5 qts with new filter and the next change, it's down to the full mark,,,3/10 a qt in xxxxx miles
The pressures inside should force a small amount of oil past the rings
Thats why many of us throw in a full 5 qts with new filter and the next change, it's down to the full mark,,,3/10 a qt in xxxxx miles
03-05-2009, 09:57 AM
#25
Senior Moderator
03-05-2009, 10:34 AM
#26
I know you had some in a thread a year ago
03-05-2009, 10:37 AM
#27
Senior Moderator
03-05-2009, 11:40 AM
#29
Senior Moderator
07-10-2009, 12:41 PM
#30
bringin lead
Thread Starter
Alright everyone, the update is here. Just received the analysis below, which was a CLEAN sample and shorter interval period, meaning I changed the oil at 5,100 miles instead of 7,700 on the report above.
Honestly, I attribute the bad results on the last report to an unclean sample (it was taken from the drain pan instead of during the drain stream like this time). The report suggests a slightly longer interval this time, which I will do. Might send in another sample at the next oil change just to see, but all appears normal now I believe.
Thoughts? Questions?
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3...0710133159.pdf
Honestly, I attribute the bad results on the last report to an unclean sample (it was taken from the drain pan instead of during the drain stream like this time). The report suggests a slightly longer interval this time, which I will do. Might send in another sample at the next oil change just to see, but all appears normal now I believe.
Thoughts? Questions?
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3...0710133159.pdf
07-10-2009, 01:00 PM
#31
go 6500 miles and change oil- wait 2 oil changes for next sample-
always take a clean mid-stream sample into the plastic catch cup the lab provided
looks fine on the numbers- a normal TL engine~
always take a clean mid-stream sample into the plastic catch cup the lab provided
looks fine on the numbers- a normal TL engine~
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