Had My Oil Analyzed

[Bob In Ct]

Once a year I change my oil ( 5W-30 Mobil1). A few weeks ago I collected 8 + quarts out of my Windsor after 1,700 miles of driving (1 year). I sent a sample off to Blackstone Labs to see what they thought of it. Below are their findings. Any thoughts?

Bob

The oil's viscosity measured in the 5W/30 to 10W/30-grade range. We can't tell you the brand but it
has a pretty standard additive package. The TBN was 8.9, loads of active additive remaining, so we don't
think it has been in use very long. Universal averages for wear metals in oil from the Ford 5.8L are based on
a 3500-mile oil run. Most wear metals looked good. Lead was high and could be from a particle streak
through a bearing, which is temporary. We'll know more next time. We suggest a ~3000-mile oil change and
check back.

ALUMINUM 2 PPM
CHROMIUM 1 PPM
IRON 6 PPM
COPPER 1 PPM
LEAD 17 PPM
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 81 PPM
NICKEL 0
MANGANESE 0
SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 1 PPM
BORON 64 PPM
SILICON 8 PPM
SODIUM 6 PPM
CALCIUM 2385PPM
MAGNESIUM 16 PPM
PHOSPHORUS 656 PPM
ZINC 790 PPM
BARIUM 0


cSt Viscosity @ 100 C 10.05
SUS Viscosity @ 210 F 59.4
Flashpoint F 370
Fuel % < 0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubles % 0.2
TBN 8.9

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

Once a year I change my oil ( 5W-30 Mobil1). A few weeks ago I collected 8 + quarts out of my Windsor after 1,700 miles of driving (1 year). I sent a sample off to Blackstone Labs to see what they thought of it. Below are their findings. Any thoughts?

I think it looked fine, from my limited knowledge. From looking at several oil analysis's, it appeared to me that the results from Blackstone labs may underestimate the zinc/phos - anti-wear additives as compared to competing labs results for the same oil.

I used to think that all mobil 1's were good for "older" style engines, but now, the 15w-50, and the motor cycle 10w-40, 20w-50 have alot of zinc - anti-wear additives, as does the 5w-40 turbo diesel oils. They no longer make the 0w-30 racing oil that had a lot of zinc. The standard 5w-30, 10w-30, 0w-40 I donlt think has the anti-wear additives.

[STCinc]

Looks fine to me....

I get the oil from each of my cars tested by Blackstone on each oil change... Heck, I just had the oil from my Kubota tractor tested (yes, all is fine).

Worth the $22.

[bobcowan]

IMO, one of the big problems with oil analysis is that there isn't a set of base numbers to compare to. You know that zinc is 790. Is that good? or bad? Don't know, because you don't what it was in the new oil. I guess you would have to spend $22 and test some new oil out of the bottle.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

Fuel % < 0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0

Those are the numbers I paid attention to. All excellent. You want to minimize fuel wash down the cylinder walls and you don't want any head gasket leakage (though excess water in the oil would be obvious).

-Dean

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Anthony

From looking at several oil analysis's, it appeared to me that the results from Blackstone labs may underestimate the zinc/phos...

Having sent numerous samples to Blackstone, I would agree with Anthony's statement on the "low-balling" of Zn & P. But aside from just having the right amounts of the ZDDP additive it is just as, or more, important to have a quality oil that has a good "cling" factor so the ZDDP doesn't have to get involved in the first place (doubly important for solid flat tappets). Since Blackstone was mentioned I'll morph this thread over a little bit in to the "winter storage" topic. We all know that we should store our cars over the Winter with fresh oil in the crankcase. Yes, it's a PITA to do that, especially if you're going to change it again in the Spring. The little vacuum pump that I got from Blackstone just happens to fit the top of the gallon size glass wine jugs (the cheap table wines from the grocery store). As you can see from the photo below, using the vacuum pump and glass wine jug makes the last oil change before putting the car away for the Winter a breeze. You can't use a plastic bottle (it collapses). I tend not to drive my car if the temperature is below 60 degrees or so -- yesterday may have been the last warm day of the year so I filled the tank up, added a bottle of Sta-Bil, and drover her around a while. If I don't see warm weather in the next couple of weeks the last thing I'll do is give her this "half-a$$" oil change and then pop her in her bag with fresh desiccant (picture below) and she'll stay that way until the Spring. I don't start her up any over the Winter, I don't keep the battery tendered, but I do put an extra 10 lbs. of air in the Avids and pull the Moto-Lita off the quick release hub and store that in the closet for the Winter.