Well, I finally got my oil changed and sent my oil sample off to Blackstone Labs on Thursday, Feb 22nd. I had precisely 8,000 kilometres on the oil and had run Gumout Regane fuel injector cleaner through the fuel system for 415 kilometres just prior to changing the oil. I advised Blackstone of these details.
The oil filter used was an OEM Nissan filter. The oil used was Esso Extra XD3 0w30 PAO full synthetic.
I ordered the regular test ($22.50), plus TBN ($10). I bought a mailer to put the can in and sent it off through Canada Post ($0.95 plus $5.05 postage).
So for a cost of about Cdn $40 all in, I should have some useful information and peace of mind. I am particularly interested in the silica levels given I use a K&N panel filter.
The oil in question was initially installed on January 24, 2007 and changed out on February 8, 2008, and was in use for 12.5 months. The ratio of highway to city (Richmond miles) was about 75/25 for the 8,000 km sample.
I will update the results when available.
I have a few litres of Esso XD3 0w30 to spare, at cost, if anyone is interested as I won't be changing my oil for another 12 months. I paid $4.99/litre plus tax for a case of 12 at the Cloverdale Esso bulk plant.
PS The vehicle had 115,380 one-owner kilometres on the clock when the oil was changed on Feb. 8th.
Wow, 8000km in 12.5 months. I go through 5000km in just under 4 months. I wish I only had 115,380 km on my car.
More like 240,000kms. wanna trade?
hahahahahahahahahahaha
I can't believe that I have my UOA results back already. It is Monday and I mailed the canister last Thursday. It had to go from Vancouver, BC (Richmond) to Fort Wayne, Indiana via surface mail, not air mail.
Following is a Reader's Digest version of the results.
1)universal averages show typical wear metals for an oil from this type of engine after 8600 km (sample was at 8000 km). All elements showed average levels, with the exception of chromium which was a bit high at 9, with the universal average being 2.
They said this was something to keep an eye on. Chromium is from the rings. I will send in another sample in one year or 8,000 kms, whichever comes first.
2) Air and oil filtration looked ok. Silicon was at 8, compared to a universal average of 12. I won't worry about the K&N panel filter at this point. It has been in use since May 2004(31735 kms) and has never been cleaned and re-oiled.
3) The TBN read 3.8, showing lots of active additive left in the oil. However, they don't recommend extending the OCI beyond 8,000 kms until they know what is going on with the chromium level.
4) I am not using oil and have no exhaust poof upon start-up.
5) On par with universal averages - aluminum, nickel, silver, titanium,
6) Above universal averages - chromium, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, barium. All were just slightly above with the exception of chromium.
SUS viscosity @ 210 F - 60.1 Values should be 58 - 65
cST Viscosity @ 100C - 10.25 Values should be 9.6 - 11.9
Flashpoint in F - 390 Values should be >385
Fuel % - <0.5 Values should be <2.0
Antifreeze % - 0.0 Values should be 0.0
Water % - 0.0 Values should be <0.1
Insolubles % - 0.4 Values should be <0.6
TBN 3.8
Comments on these readings please. What do you make of the chromium?
hmmm that is interesting. I can't believe that you got it back so fast either.
As for the oil change interval being shown at 8600km and you claimed you changed at 8000kms. Have you thought about changing every 6 months regardless of the km's on it?
You are averaging 640 km/month. maybe a bit low for such an extended oil change interval.
I know that nissan and some of the other manufactures are now advising OCI of 8000km's, but I still change at 5000 regardless. Maybe I"m just flushing money away, but I don't care. Due to the lack of km's/month, I would wonder if the rings are retaining the fluids/lubrication that they need to do their job properly? Maybe you could send in a newer sample at the 6 month interval? But then again, you use great oil.
Also, would the Gumout regane additave have anything to do with it?
That's all I can think of. Did they say anything else about the rings?
Guys have like 300,000miles on their orginal motor. What gives?
Approximately 75% of the 8000 kms were highway. I drive to my mother's residence and back which is 72 kms round trip. On the highway I am at 110 to 120 kms/hour.
Also included in the 8000 km was a 1000 km summer road trip.
The car is never used for short hops where it is driven say 2 kms then turned off.
I specified in the sample that I had used the Gumout Regane.
Given the high TBN #, the oil was still in great shape. I may send in a sample afte 6 months and see what that brings. I would have 4,000 to 5,000 kms on the OCI and would time it to after my summer road trip. Perhaps I will take 2 this year and be up to more like 6,000 kms by 6 months .
This time I went with a Napa Gold filter for the 1st time, not OEM.
Linear Mode
