Oil Analysis I

[philip]

Back in January, I visited a NAPA store for oil change materiels. I noticed they offered an oil anaylsis service. (http://www.oaitesting.com). I bought an analysis kit ($20). The oil drained was Rotella 15w-40 that had 3,100 miles on it.


This particular sample may be a little better than expected because it included one make-up quart of oil & a 700+ mile round trip to Phoenix, AZ just before draining. Oil filter was a PH43. The oil's appearance was -dense- BLACK. I expected the soot number to be much higher.

[glenlloyd]

I've used these before, not from Napa, but now that I know they have them I'll go there.

I think the information they provide is good and they definintely can give you advance warning about problems.

great post.

steve a

[philip]

I've used these before, not from Napa, but now that I know they have them I'll go there. I think the information they provide is good and they definintely can give you advance warning about problems.

steve a

I've accumulated 3,000 miles since rebuilding the injectors. I also installed NAPA 15w-40 oil at that time. The engine has consumed only 1/2 qt. Typical consumption using Rotella 15w-40 is 2,500 per quart.

My intention this time is to run the engine until it uses one quart, add one replacement quart, drive around a little more and then drain it. This is the routine I used with the last oil analysis. I'll send another sample for analysis. I'm curious mostly about the soot and TBN numbers. One anecdotal observation about the NAPA oil is there is noticably less blowby from the road draft tube.

[asavage]

In case it's not known: NAPA oil is Valvoline (Ashland).

[philip]

In case it's not known: NAPA oil is Valvoline (Ashland).

I wrapped up my new oil test using Napa 15w-40.

4,500 miles. 1-1/4 quart replacement oil needed for the total distance!

Sent in the oil sample May 3.

See Oil Analysis II

[ecomike]

I wonder why there is so much calcium in the sample????

[philip]

I wonder why there is so much calcium in the sample????

Remember, NAPA 15w-40 is a diesel specific formulated motor oil. It must have a much greater capacity to keep soot in suspension than a gasoline oil.

Elemental Analysis by ICP (inductively-coupled plasma) detects up to 24 metals, measuring less than 5µ in size, that can be present in used oil due to wear, contamination or additives.

Wear Metals include iron, chromium, nickel, aluminum, copper, lead, tin, cadmium, silver, titanium and vanadium.

Contaminant Metals include silicon, sodium, potassium, molybdenum, antimony, manganese, lithium and boron.

Additive Metals include magnesium, calcium(a detergent dispersant additive), barium, phosphorous and zinc.

[Zoltan]

Hey Philip,

what's the purpose of spending $20/ analyis if you keep changing the oil? I'd change only the oil filter at your 3K-4.5K interval so you can figure out how much you can drive with your particular oil before it goes bad. You could use the oil from the oil filter to do the oil test. I see you drained the Rotella after only 3,100 miles and switched to Napa 15W-40.

[philip]

Hey Philip, what's the purpose of spending $20/ analyis if you keep changing the oil?

'Cuz I have loads of descretionary cash laying around to indulge myself.

I'd change only the oil filter at your 3K-4.5K interval so you can figure out how much you can drive with your particular oil before it goes bad. You could use the oil from the oil filter to do the oil test.

Your goals are more extreme than mine. The Owners Manual in 1982 called out for 3,000 mile intervals (or less). Yes I know diesel oils and fuels back then were quite different in numerous respects. My first sample was done in the interest of seeing how current quality oil and current fuel properties affected the analysis at the recommended 3,000 mile interval (actually, 3,100).

The next analysis will be from a 4,500 mile sample. I am simply NOT INTERESTED in going for a more extended drain interval without a bypass filter. One thing the analysis paper does not say is the micron size of debris floating in the sample.

[glenlloyd]

Hey Philip,

what's the purpose of spending $20/ analyis if you keep changing the oil? I'd change only the oil filter at your 3K-4.5K interval so you can figure out how much you can drive with your particular oil before it goes bad. You could use the oil from the oil filter to do the oil test. I see you drained the Rotella after only 3,100 miles and switched to Napa 15W-40.

The metals present in the sample can help to isolate certain components before catastrophic failure. Also, you can identify the presence of coolant which could suggest a failing head gasket or the potential for it.

Phil thinks it's taking more oil with the Rotella too.

steve a

[philip]

Hey Philip,

what's the purpose of spending $20/ analyis if you keep changing the oil? I'd change only the oil filter at your 3K-4.5K interval so you can figure out how much you can drive with your particular oil before it goes bad. You could use the oil from the oil filter to do the oil test. I see you drained the Rotella after only 3,100 miles and switched to Napa 15W-40.

The metals present in the sample can help to isolate certain components before catastrophic failure. Also, you can identify the presence of coolant which could suggest a failing head gasket or the potential for it.

Phil thinks it's taking more oil with the Rotella too.

steve a

The first oil survey was done out of curiosity ... to get a reference base using current quality diesel oil and the Owners Manual service mileage limit. As mentioned earlier, Rotella-T consumption has been about 2,500 miles per quart (checked with cold engine).

The second survey using NAPA 15w-40 has some changes, most notably an improvement in oil consumption. BUT there may be some contributing factors to the consumption improvement, ie the new fuel nozzles and leaned smoke screw. I'll detail the specifics when I recieve the second oil analysis results.