OIL ANALYSIS
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
OIL ANALYSIS
I know this will not satisfy "hard 3,000 mile oil change junkies", but here goes.
I have a 1998 C5 Coupe with 64,168 miles on it (daily driver also used for short trips). I use 5W-30 Mobil 1 SuperSyn with UPF44 filter. My car never uses any oil. I changed oil when DIC said 3% left at 6,036 miles on the oil and sent it away for a $30 oil analysis from Blackstone Laboritories (www.blackstone-labs.com).
They said TBN (showing additives left) was 6.5 and I should try 7,000 miles on oil next time. Wear was normal.
I have a 1998 C5 Coupe with 64,168 miles on it (daily driver also used for short trips). I use 5W-30 Mobil 1 SuperSyn with UPF44 filter. My car never uses any oil. I changed oil when DIC said 3% left at 6,036 miles on the oil and sent it away for a $30 oil analysis from Blackstone Laboritories (www.blackstone-labs.com).
They said TBN (showing additives left) was 6.5 and I should try 7,000 miles on oil next time. Wear was normal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (Oldvetter)
There are 3k mile oil change diehards among us so I'm sure they'll chime in with their opinions.
My opinion is synthethic oil has the capabilties to go significantly further than the 3k mile change intervals of yesteryear's mineral based oils. Add the use of an excellent filter like UPF44. So I do follow the oil life indicator to determine when an oil change is required. Otherwise, in my opinion, it is a waste of resources and money.
My opinion is synthethic oil has the capabilties to go significantly further than the 3k mile change intervals of yesteryear's mineral based oils. Add the use of an excellent filter like UPF44. So I do follow the oil life indicator to determine when an oil change is required. Otherwise, in my opinion, it is a waste of resources and money.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: ann arbor michigan
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (Oldvetter)
Use Mobil 1 (5W30 in winter, 10W30 in summer) with a PF44 filter. Usually show about 38% at ^6k miles. Never go beyond 7.5K miles before an oil change. When I fisst got my '99 , it was the 3K oil change - which kept on increasing to the 7.5K change. Has the extended mileage hurt the engine? Don't think so as I don't use any oil between changes and tne car turned 283K this week. :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (duosy)
Use Mobil 1 (5W30 in winter, 10W30 in summer) with a PF44 filter. Usually show about 38% at ^6k miles. Never go beyond 7.5K miles before an oil change. When I fisst got my '99 , it was the 3K oil change - which kept on increasing to the 7.5K change. Has the extended mileage hurt the engine? Don't think so as I don't use any oil between changes and tne car turned 283K this week. :steering:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 364
From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (luvinc5)
Question? What if you don't put 6-7K on the Vette with in a 6 month period? Do you think it should still be changed due to time in the engine instead of mileage? The reason I ask, is I changed the oil after the first 1000 miles just before winter set in (I got the car last September) and I've only driven it a total of 3000 Miles since. The oil has been in there since November and was thinking of changing it since it's been in there soo long. Don't worry, the Vette only sits on snowy/salty road conditions. She is getting plenty of driving time now that the weather is nicer.
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (boblackhardtop)
Here's is a good link on the subject.
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html
LV
:thumbs:
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html
LV
:thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (LV)
Would you mind posting the rest of your analysis report? How was the copper level? Also, you might want to contact the folks in the link provided above, they are seeking other LS-1 oil analyses to include in a data base they are constructing. Mine is already there for my Amsoil test :cheers:
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (duosy)
Don't think so as I don't use any oil between changes and tne car turned 283K this week. :steering:
Just out of curiosity, have you done anything to the engine besides just changing the oil? I would assume new plugs and belts along the way, anything else?
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 25
From: Insert Wittty Comment here
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (jw02)
Oil analysis is the best tool to determine what is going on. Patman over on ls1tech is over on this site
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/
They discuss oil analysis, etc... If your analysis show ok, then you are good to go.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/
They discuss oil analysis, etc... If your analysis show ok, then you are good to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: Livermore CA
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (moncal90)
To answer your question moncal90, the only concern is the accumulation of combustion blow by products mixed with the accumulation of moisture over time. The end result is the formation of acids that can be detrimental.
As mentioned here in this thread already, an oil analysis will provide the best answer for you. In general, the rule of thumb is to change at least the filter at 6 months and the oil at 1 year for low mileage cars, unless the car will be stored for a longer period of time, then it is best to change the oil and filter prior to storage, and the oil after extended storage. This will ensure that acids do not affect the engine components. :cheers:
As mentioned here in this thread already, an oil analysis will provide the best answer for you. In general, the rule of thumb is to change at least the filter at 6 months and the oil at 1 year for low mileage cars, unless the car will be stored for a longer period of time, then it is best to change the oil and filter prior to storage, and the oil after extended storage. This will ensure that acids do not affect the engine components. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,891
Likes: 1,829
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (moncal90)
Question? What if you don't put 6-7K on the Vette with in a 6 month period? Do you think it should still be changed due to time in the engine instead of mileage?
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (vettenuts)
Vettenuts,
-Your link is great, I sent them a copy of my analysis, but since I could only get it down to 405KB JPEG file, I am not posting it here. Here are my numbers that are not in 0 mile oil from your link (not due to oil).
Aluminum 5
Chromium 1
Iron 23
Copper 3
Lead 7
Tin 1
Molebdenum 71
nickel 1
Manganese 1
silicon 8
sodium 10
sus viscosity 63.1
flashpoint 395
-Your link is great, I sent them a copy of my analysis, but since I could only get it down to 405KB JPEG file, I am not posting it here. Here are my numbers that are not in 0 mile oil from your link (not due to oil).
Aluminum 5
Chromium 1
Iron 23
Copper 3
Lead 7
Tin 1
Molebdenum 71
nickel 1
Manganese 1
silicon 8
sodium 10
sus viscosity 63.1
flashpoint 395
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,318
Likes: 2,066
From: Guelph, Ontario
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (Oldvetter)
23ppm of iron in 6000 miles is about twice as high as it should be, although if you drove in any extremely cold weather during this interval, don't worry about that number, as it'll be lower in the summer. Iron numbers tend to be high during the wintertime. The lead wear of only 7ppm in 6k is very good for a hard driven car, this shows the bearings are getting good protection. Copper of only 3ppm is excellent for an LS1, but proves that once these engines are fully broken in, the copper is low. When new you'll often see as much as 200ppm in a 3000 mile interval! It usually doesn't come down to a low level until after 40 or 50k.
You should try an interval with the K&N oil filter to see if your numbers come down. I'd be a bit worried about those iron numbers if you didn't see cold weather.
[Modified by Patman, 8:30 PM 6/4/2003]
You should try an interval with the K&N oil filter to see if your numbers come down. I'd be a bit worried about those iron numbers if you didn't see cold weather.
[Modified by Patman, 8:30 PM 6/4/2003]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (Patman)
Patman,
-Like I said, it's a daily driver and we had a BAD winter in Maryland this year! Blackstone Laboratories says 15 ppm iron is normal for 3600 miles ? AND the test Camaro at http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html had 26 ppm Iron after 6,000 miles?
-Does anyone know why copper is high at beginning? Something must be wearing in ?
[Modified by Oldvetter, 9:33 PM 6/4/2003]
-Like I said, it's a daily driver and we had a BAD winter in Maryland this year! Blackstone Laboratories says 15 ppm iron is normal for 3600 miles ? AND the test Camaro at http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html had 26 ppm Iron after 6,000 miles?
-Does anyone know why copper is high at beginning? Something must be wearing in ?
[Modified by Oldvetter, 9:33 PM 6/4/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 364
From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (pewterhdtop)
Pewterhdtop
Thanks for answering my question. The explanation you provided is pretty much what I've heard over the years but since I'm relativily new to the Vette crowd and have never had a car that only gets used on nicer days, I thought I'd check to make sure. Since it's been 6 months but only about 2500 miles, I'll replace the filter this weekend and replace the oil this fall.
Thanks for answering my question. The explanation you provided is pretty much what I've heard over the years but since I'm relativily new to the Vette crowd and have never had a car that only gets used on nicer days, I thought I'd check to make sure. Since it's been 6 months but only about 2500 miles, I'll replace the filter this weekend and replace the oil this fall.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: OIL ANALYSIS (Oldvetter)
Here is a link to my first analysis using a Mobil-1 filter and Amsoil 5W-30. About the same mileage as you. My car didn't see cold weather, and my iron is about half of yours. However, note my copper :eek: This is typical of the LS-1 and the theory I have seen is it is the center cam bearing wearing in. The copper typically drops by around 20K miles.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...=000286#000000
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...=000286#000000