My First Oil Analysis on the GT350

[Mike02z]

I did my first oil change at 1250 miles and sent it to BlackStone to get the analysis. It just came back yesterday. It's what I expected. I have every new car checked and they all have silicon and metal from break-in. I'll test again when I change it next year.

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[dron_jones]

If you don't mind me asking, what do they charge for this service?

 

[Mike02z]

28 dollars for the standard test. If you want to know how long your oil will last, get the TBN test which adds 10 bucks. I don't bother as I change my oil every year and I rarely put more than 5k on per year.

You can get free sample kits below:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

 

[dron_jones]

Oh wow that's really reasonable. Thanks for posting

 

[shiraz]

Thanks for posting, I'll definitely try this out!

 

[Tomster]

I'll have to find mine, but the results were similar. I changed mine at just about the same milage as you. I'll have a look for it later.

 

[Optimum Performance]

Your local Caterpillar dealer will sample your oil for less than $20. Just go to the parts department and ask for a couple SOS kits. Once you send them in and you get in the system you have a live record. They include the pre-postaged bag to drop it in the mail box. Although they do not compliment our samples typically ;)

The only thing I am ever interested in is Viscosity at 100C. Any contaminates are a bonus. I usually send in a sample of new oil so we can compare what the Manufacturers spec says and what the actual oil tests like so you have a better trend for the used oil and the particular lab you use.

 

[rb92gt]

Interesting, but what are you doing with this information? I would expect that it should improve with your next oil change, but what if it doesn't? My OCD is ridiculous and even I can't find a need for such a test, educate me please.

 

[Itisfun]

I did my first oil change at 1250 miles and sent it to BlackStone to get the analysis. It just came back yesterday. It's what I expected. I have every new car checked and they all have silicon and metal from break-in. I'll test again when I change it next year.

I am having the senior mechanic at my Ford dealership do my first oil change on Thusday. (1250 miles). Other than making sure oil filter is torqued to spec any thing else I should make him aware of? Thanks

 

[JAJ]

Your local Caterpillar dealer will sample your oil for less than $20. Just go to the parts department and ask for a couple SOS kits. Once you send them in and you get in the system you have a live record. They include the pre-postaged bag to drop it in the mail box. Although they do not compliment our samples typically ;)

The only thing I am ever interested in is Viscosity at 100C. Any contaminates are a bonus. I usually send in a sample of new oil so we can compare what the Manufacturers spec says and what the actual oil tests like so you have a better trend for the used oil and the particular lab you use.

Viscosity at 100C isn't particularly meaningful in a UOA. The two numbers that matter the most, and which are in the CAT tests but not Blackstone, are Oxidation and Nitration. They indicate the extent to which the oil is actually breaking down and forming varnish and other deposits inside the engine. Even that data isn't easy to interpret. Most oils start with little or no Nitration, but many have a baseline level of oxidation from the Group 5 esters that are used in the manufacture of top synthetic oils. For both, it's the increase that matters, not the absolute level. An increase of more than 10% means you're running the oil too long.

 

[Mike02z]

Interesting, but what are you doing with this information? I would expect that it should improve with your next oil change, but what if it doesn't? My OCD is ridiculous and even I can't find a need for such a test, educate me please.

I track the reports to determine if there is any potential issues with the engine over time. Typically metals and silicon's will all settle out after 4-5k miles. If you continue to see higher than normal metal compared to the universal averages, you may be having an engine issue.

I had a car that showed abnormal metal in the oil and the dealer would up replacing the engine based on the oil reports. I believe they also did their own independent test. I'd prefer to know about a potential issue before I'm stuck by the side of the road. It is probably overkill but it's 28 bucks a year and it makes me feel better.;)

 

[Optimum Performance]

Viscosity at 100C isn't particularly meaningful in a UOA. The two numbers that matter the most, and which are in the CAT tests but not Blackstone, are Oxidation and Nitration. They indicate the extent to which the oil is actually breaking down and forming varnish and other deposits inside the engine. Even that data isn't easy to interpret. Most oils start with little or no Nitration, but many have a baseline level of oxidation from the Group 5 esters that are used in the manufacture of top synthetic oils. For both, it's the increase that matters, not the absolute level. An increase of more than 10% means you're running the oil too long.

I partially agree except no one on this forum and anyone actually getting an oil sample is very likely going to leave the oil in their engine long enough to see those numbers move enough to receive an alert :cheers:

Commerical/Industrial recip's run 24hrs/365. They are not getting shutdown for scheduled maint. until they have a yellow or red alert. Mustangs have a tiny (relative) engine with a massive oil capacity. Keep in mind that old 5.0L's held 5qts and the new 5.2 holds 10. Thats a lot of reserve to contaminate. Now if someone wanted to overheat their oil constantly and never change it eventually I suspect the additives in the current quality oils would finally breakdown enough to see a large swing.

I can tell you that when we tested Mobil 1 virgin and used oil the numbers were higher than the Motorcraft Blend. So testing the new oil is critical to have any kind of reliable data. Getting an accurate sample without contaminating it is also a challenge, no sample port

 

[Old Car Guy]

I partially agree except no one on this forum and anyone actually getting an oil sample is very likely going to leave the oil in their engine long enough to see those numbers move enough to receive an alert :cheers:

Commerical/Industrial recip's run 24hrs/365. They are not getting shutdown for scheduled maint. until they have a yellow or red alert. Mustangs have a tiny (relative) engine with a massive oil capacity. Keep in mind that old 5.0L's held 5qts and the new 5.2 holds 10. Thats a lot of reserve to contaminate. Now if someone wanted to overheat their oil constantly and never change it eventually I suspect the additives in the current quality oils would finally breakdown enough to see a large swing.

I can tell you that when we tested Mobil 1 virgin and used oil the numbers were higher than the Motorcraft Blend. So testing the new oil is critical to have any kind of reliable data. Getting an accurate sample without contaminating it is also a challenge, no sample port

Tommy, what is the secret to getting a oil sample that you do not contaminate. Thanks, John

 

[Optimum Performance]

Tommy, what is the secret to getting a oil sample that you do not contaminate. Thanks, John

The best way on a car is to drain it hot, wipe off the pan before you start, pull the plug and have your sample bottle ready. Once the initial surge stabilizes stick the bottle in there. Its a little messy, wear gloves Normally you can use a sample hose with the pump but the dipstick tube diameter is so small that you risk scraping the goo that collects in the tube. Then you pull that into the sample.

The Industrial units I work on have a Parker type test port which you screw a hose on while the unit is running to get a clean "as operated" sample. Of course the sample hose is cleaned and get in a sealed bag in between uses.

You could install a tee on your engine with a test port but it's getting a little too scientific for a street car that gets the fluids changed likely way more than needed.

I have actually taken a sample from a "clean" Mobil 1 bottle as a new comparison and had it come back with excess dirt. :headbonk: Keep in mind that all packaged oil once opened and sits around your garage can still collect contaminates. A good Lab will detect it. So now when I send in a control sample I use the new unopened oil that I'm putting in or if I change product I use an unopened bottle of the product I'm taking out.

 

[Voodooo]

This doesn't mean much unless you also sample the oil that's used in the engine when new from the bottle.

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