sahlbom

My first oil change was at 2200 miles this weekend. I added magnetic drain plugs and 2 filter magnets to the stock GM filter.

The drained oil was passed through a 400 micron filter, with the only notable debris being a couple of slivers of sealant or gasket material about 0.3" x 0.08 inches.

The filter was opened using a JEGS filter cutter, which worked fine. After the media was cut from the core, it was agitated in solvent to clear the surface oil on the media, so particulates could be seen more easily. The solvent was allowed to settle and decanted, but very few metal particles were recovered.

After the solvent evaporated, the filter media was stretched out and examined with a 5x magnifier and a 10-20X stereo inspection microscope with ring light.

Most of the metal particles were aluminum flakes less than 0.010" D. and most were <0.003" thick. There were six long, straight slivers of aluminum ranging in length from 0.15-0.25, about 0.010" wide and < 0.003 thick.

About 20% of the larger particles were steel, as determined with a magnetized micropick. The largest was about 0.08 x 0.06" and somewhat curled. The dark particles in the first two photos are steel.

Four pleats (peak-valley-peak) were selected for a rough visible particle count using a 5X magnifier. The counts ranged from 18-40+, averaging about 30 per pleat. The smaller particles tend to concentrate in the valleys, so its hard to count them. There are about 50 pleats in the filter.

The photos below are typical and were taken with a Canon Elph 310HS in macro mode. The smallest particles are much more visible in the microscope, but taking photos through its eyepiece wasn't worth the extra effort.

I'm sending an oil sample to Blackstone for standard analysis and particle count. I was a little surprised by how dirty the oil was after 2200 miles, although about 70% of that were short trips < 20 miles.

I plan to replace and inspect the filter at about 4500 miles and send another oil sample in for analysis. I'm saving the first filter media to compare with the second one.

My only prior experience inspecting oil filters was with our Cummins 8.3L ISC and 8.9L ISL diesels. That is not a pleasant experience due to the size of the filter and how sooty the oil is! Doing it on a C7 isn't bad at all.

I didn't see anything in the filter or oil that concerned me, but if anyone has a different opinion, feel free to comment. Hopefully the second filter will have less metallic debris. i'll post the oil analysis results when they're available.

BlueDevilZ51

Not surprised you had a little metal in the filter being it was your first oil change. Do you have a Z51, if so GM suggest the first oil change at 500 miles.

sahlbom

Yes, it's a Z51. I had 1500 miles on it when the advance notice of the 500 mile first oil change was posted on this forum. I believe the notice was sent to dealers in late December. My dealer hadn't heard about it in early January, but did call back and confirm it the next day.

But i had already bought everything to do the change at 1500 miles, then life got in the way....

I did inspect the air filter and throttle body for oil residue due to foaming and they were absolutely clean. I obviously haven't been exercising my car hard enough!

VETJAZZ

Interesting. I look forward to the follow up oil analysis.

VNAMVET

Looks like the filter is doing a good job. My Z-51 had is first oil change at 20% and had 5,000 miles on it. No dealer would change it unless it had 20% or less showing. This was on a new car I purchased on 11 Oct 2013. Oil was changed with oil and filter I purchased and brought to dealer, as they would only use dextrose stuff. I had them use Mobil 1.

Seems like a lot of new information has come out since then.......

$$$frumnuttin'

I'm at 2200 miles as well, and will get the first oil change as soon as the Mobil One doodoo is straightened out. But I won't have an analysis performed....I trust the engine guys at GM..if they can't get it right by now, they never will.

Steve_R

See the sticky at the top of the section; it's straightened out.

stab1991

Is the Z51 first oil change suggested at 500 miles?? Thanks. Just got mine yesterday and put on a bit of miles already

4thC4at60

After more than 600,000 miles in Corvettes over the past 26 years and no engine failures I'm just gonna keep doing what I've been doing - change the oil at 5000 or so mile intervals and be done with it....

Treat my Ferrari the same way. It hasn't complained either, but, it only has 35,000 miles on it - C7 has 8,000...

Old Yellow

I understand your position completely, and agree with you to the extent that I would still at least do it once a year.

Keep in mind that the 500 mile oil change on the Z51 isn't a recommendation by Chevy, It's now a warranty requirement.

Ed

4thC4at60

Am not disputing the Z51 requirement.... just saying my maintenance schedule on my cars - 5000 mile oil change intervals - has served me well.....

I put slightly more than 1,000 miles per month on each of my cars (the C7 and the 328 B model Ferrari).... so, I change the oil between 2 and 3 times a year on each car.....

In more than 50 years of driving cars I've had one catastrophic engine failure - back in '66 on a 356 model Porsche that I had just purchased - dealer fixed it zero questions..... I have no idea what caused the failure....

WelderGuy

I don't see how some of that stuff made it through the oil pump.



I'd be concerned that some similar stuff is still lodged in there, and that couldn't be good.

When I cut open the first filter on my 350Z, there were no visible metal particles.

sahlbom

I downloaded the LT1 crate engine installation guide, which includes engine break-in procedures.

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam...2019328729.pdf

It requires an oil & filter change after 30 miles (or 1 hour) with an oil and filter inspection for metal particles. The again after 500 miles (12-15 hours of engine operation). Again, with an oil and filter inspection for foreign particles.

No criteria is given for what is an acceptable level of contamination in the oil or filter.

I think I will change my filter again after a few more hundred miles and see if any further debris has collected.

I only found one other documented C7 first oil change filter inspection, which claimed no visible metal particles on the filter element. No close up views of the filter media were given, just a long shot of the stretched out media.

Does anyone know what engine break-in and oil inspection is done at the factory?

nmvettec7

Is there an oil filter magnet that is recommended for the C7?

This would be attached to the outside of the filter.

Has any C7 owners bought one?

Any input or suggestions are most welcome.

Here's a few I found:

sahlbom

I don't believe a bottom mount magnet provides any benefit, since there is no oil flow there.

The side wrap FilterMAG product would be better. It is available in the SS series for light duty use and the RA series for high performance use. These appear similar to the AeroMag product use in aviation.

Better prices at: http://www.innate.com/green/filtermag/filtermag.htm

I'm waiting for my oil analysis results before I do anything.

Shortimer

Sahlbom,
Thanks for the write-up and photos. I got my 2014 Stingray in March of 2014 and at that time GM was not recommending the first oil change at 500 miles. I replaced the factory filter myself when I had about 2,000 miles on it and did a full oil change and another oil filter just before 5,000 miles. I still have the factory oil filter and might open it up and see what's inside.
Look forward to an update on your post once you get your oil analysis back.

sahlbom

I decided to install a FilterMAG SS300 on my current filter, since I'm going to change the filter and inspect it soon. Ordered it from jegs.com.

I'll post photos of what the magnet attracts in a few weeks.

trumanjd1

Is this FILTERMAG SS300 FOR A Z51? Is there a difference in oil filter dia. BETWEEN Z51 and non Z51. I have a 2015 Z51 and would like to try this. thanks

sahlbom

They both use a PF64 filter, which has an O.D. of 2.92", which is in the range for the SS300. The magnet's height is 1.9", which is OK, except it may require sliding the magnet pad down a little to use a filter cutter.

It's better not to remove the magnet before the filter is cut (if you are going to inspect the element), so you can see how many particles were caught. But sliding it down won't cause the particles to dislodge.

nmvettec7

Yes, the SS300 is confirmed by Jegs to me today to fit the 2015 C7 Stingray or Z51. My order was placed today after the news from Jegs for proper fitment.

There are some remarks that the magnet is not needed, while other forum members feel it is a good idea. So for just under $49.00 with free shipping I placed my order with Jegs.

I plan to keep the new C7 for 7 years, so why not spend a minor amount to possibly keep the engine running good, even though it's under warranty. It a gadget, I thought I'd try.