First Oil Analysis

[GFoley]

I did a search and read some of the earlier posts about engine analysis. This is the first oil analysis I have done on my engine. I have 95,000 miles on engine, 15,000 miles on this sample and the filter. Oil sampled is Amsoil 15-40 synthetic. At 15,000 miles I just fell like I should be changing the oil even though the report says it is OK for continued service. Here is what I got back.

If anything is high, could it be reduced by more frequent filter changes?



Glycol Neg

Water <0. 05%

Fuel <1. 0

Viscosity @100C 14. 5

Solids NA



Soot <1. 0

Oxidation <1. 0%

NOX 12. 9%

TBN 12. 6

TAM NA



Spectrographic Analysis

Fe 32

Cr 0

Pb 5

Cu 14

Sn 2

Al 8

Ni 0

Ag 0

Si 5

B 34

Na 34

Mg 10

Ca 4390

Ba 0

P 1257

Zn 1361

Mo 0

Ti 0

V 0

Cd 0

 

[abledog]

15,000 miles on one oil filter! Things that make you go HMMMM. Oil filters are cheap, I change mine every 7,000 miles and currently have close to 30,000 miles on the engine oil.



Who did you send the oil sample to? Your sample analysis looks good, nothing out of spec. I would keep on running the same oil and sampling every 7,000 miles.



Terry



ps I'm running Amsoil series 3000 5w30.

 

[GFoley]

Sent it to Oil Analyzers, I guess they are related/connected to Amsoil.



I'll swap the filter this evening, top it off, run it a few thousand more miles and check it agin.

I have a few road trips in the next 6 weeks so it'll be on the road rackin' up more miles.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

GFoley, I go 20,000 miles on my synthetic oil changes using stock filters (I use Stratapore). I change the filter 3 times during an oil change (about every 7k).



I started off with Amsoil 15W40 and got great numbers like you did (my Iron count was 41ppm after 20k miles). I then tried the 5W30 oil but my Iron count more than doubled (88ppm), so on this change I went back to a heavier oil. . . Delvac 1 5W40. I'm anxious to see how this oil does.



After I settle on an oil to go with in the long run I want to add one of the bypass filtration systems available (Amsoil or Frantz). That will happen about the time I hit 100k



Vaughn

 

[DEZLPWR]

Vaughn,

I have had very good #'s with Delvac1. I'm a Mobil 1 synthetic fan though..... I have used it in ALL of my vehicles. (both gassers & diesels)

 

[Don M]

Vaughn,





You cant go wrong with the Delvac 1 oil. I have some interesting info you might want to look at.

The first picture is of a ferrography sample of Amsoil 5/30.

The second is Delvac 1.

Both samples were taken at the same mileage interval. A ferrography test is to tell you exactly what parts of the engine are wearing or the source of the particles. It is also able to show you the larger than 4-5 micron size particles that normal oil analysis cant. Normal oil analysis cant see the large particles that sometime wear off of internal engine components. Further, both oils were showing very good oil analysis results, but the ferrography really told the story of what was going on inside the engine.



this one is amsoil. the large chunck is not going to be read on normal oil analysis. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=1345&width=0



this one is Delvac 1. No large particles at all

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=1344&width=0





After you digest the pictures I can tell you comments the lab gave on both samples. Its pretty bad for the thin oil. There is no substitute for viscosity and film strength.



Don~

 

[amsoilman]

GFoley,

Your oil analysis results are very good! There is no need to change anything. The lab will tell you what to do in the "remarks" area. If they think the filter/s need changing, they will tell you.



When it comes to oil analysis, there are a wide variety of tests that can be done. The "Spectrochemical" analysis has been around for many years. I beleive it was first used in 1946 by the D&RG railroad research laboratory. It is the most common used as is less costly to perform and gives results that can be interpreted very easily. Some tests can be done for as little ae $5. 00, some in the hundreds of dollars! The biggest thing that come from oil analysis is "trending". Which simply means to take oil analysis at specified intervals and then watch for trends that will develope.

No two pieces of equipment will wear at the same rate, even identical equipment. How the equipment is used will also effect wear rates, such as hard working stop and start engine vs. an engine that is driven at a steady highway speed.

The age of the equipment can also effect wear metal rates. The amount of time on the oil can also effect wear rates.



Wayne

amsoilman