aldive
Elite In Memoriam
- Joined
- January 17, 2001
- Messages
- 24,569
- Reaction score
- 30
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1999 XLT
Used oil analysis ( UOA ) is the only way to determine the health of a motor oil. A UOA can identify any problems on the increase in a motor long before they cause an costly headache. Anyone using an extended oil change interval ( OCI ) should have the oil tested.
The data shown below is from my '99 SOHC using Amsoil Bypass filtration ( Dead Link Removed ). The oil used was Amsoil Series 2000 0W30 ( Dead Link Removed ). The mileage on this oil sample is 25,300 miles. The oil is 15 months old.
Neither the full flow filter ( Amsoil EAO-15 [ Dead Link Removed ] ) nor the bypass filter ( Amsoil EABP-90 [ Dead Link Removed ] ) was changed at this sample interval nor was any makeup oil added.
LCD, Inc.’s ( http://www.lubecontrol.com/ ) LC20 (Dead Link Removed ) which was used in the first 17k miles of this oil’s life was no longer used during this test period, nor will it be used again by me. I have not seen any merit in using this product based on UOA data.
Blackstone Labs ( Dead Link Removed ) performed this UOA as they have for all of my samples for years.
The first number is the current sample data, the second number is the 17k UOA data and the last represents Blackstone’s average of data collected for this type motor.
Aluminum 6 6 6
Chromium 11 1
Iron 26 24 24
Copper 8 9 10
Lead 3 3 6
Tin 0 0 1
Molybdenum 11 10 9
Nickel 1 1 1
Manganese 0 0 0
Silver 0 0 0
Titanium 0 0 0
Potassium 0 1 1
Boron 18 7 16
Silicon 13 16 12
Sodium 13 10 4
Calcium 2558 2834 2142
Magnesium 173 98 532
Phosphorus 671 645 792
Zinc 801 785 975
Barium 0 0 0
What do the preceding numbers indicate? Take a look at Dead Link Removed .
TBN 2.0
Viscosity @ 210 degrees F: 68
Typical Amsoil 0W30: 56-64
Flashpoint in degrees F 410 >410
Typical Amsoil 0W-30: >365
Fuel % <0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubles % 0.3
Blackstone's comments: AL: Universal averages for typical wear from the Ford 4.0L V-6 are based on 4867 miles of oil use. This oil is still in service after 25,300 miles according to your info slip. If that's correct, we are very impressed with the low and steady iron level. You might have one of the best wearing Ford engines we've ever seen. Silicon was a bit higher than average, but it's right around the level we typically see from your Explorer. The TBN was 2.0, some active additive left. Wear metals were okay. Try another 2000-3000 miles and check back. Great engine!
This data not only debunks the myth of the 3k OCI, it completely blows it out of the water. Further, it also demonstrates the worth of bypass filtration and high quality synthetic motor oil.
These great wear numbers could indeed contribute to the gas mileage I get.
The data shown below is from my '99 SOHC using Amsoil Bypass filtration ( Dead Link Removed ). The oil used was Amsoil Series 2000 0W30 ( Dead Link Removed ). The mileage on this oil sample is 25,300 miles. The oil is 15 months old.
Neither the full flow filter ( Amsoil EAO-15 [ Dead Link Removed ] ) nor the bypass filter ( Amsoil EABP-90 [ Dead Link Removed ] ) was changed at this sample interval nor was any makeup oil added.
LCD, Inc.’s ( http://www.lubecontrol.com/ ) LC20 (Dead Link Removed ) which was used in the first 17k miles of this oil’s life was no longer used during this test period, nor will it be used again by me. I have not seen any merit in using this product based on UOA data.
Blackstone Labs ( Dead Link Removed ) performed this UOA as they have for all of my samples for years.
The first number is the current sample data, the second number is the 17k UOA data and the last represents Blackstone’s average of data collected for this type motor.
Aluminum 6 6 6
Chromium 11 1
Iron 26 24 24
Copper 8 9 10
Lead 3 3 6
Tin 0 0 1
Molybdenum 11 10 9
Nickel 1 1 1
Manganese 0 0 0
Silver 0 0 0
Titanium 0 0 0
Potassium 0 1 1
Boron 18 7 16
Silicon 13 16 12
Sodium 13 10 4
Calcium 2558 2834 2142
Magnesium 173 98 532
Phosphorus 671 645 792
Zinc 801 785 975
Barium 0 0 0
What do the preceding numbers indicate? Take a look at Dead Link Removed .
TBN 2.0
Viscosity @ 210 degrees F: 68
Typical Amsoil 0W30: 56-64
Flashpoint in degrees F 410 >410
Typical Amsoil 0W-30: >365
Fuel % <0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubles % 0.3
Blackstone's comments: AL: Universal averages for typical wear from the Ford 4.0L V-6 are based on 4867 miles of oil use. This oil is still in service after 25,300 miles according to your info slip. If that's correct, we are very impressed with the low and steady iron level. You might have one of the best wearing Ford engines we've ever seen. Silicon was a bit higher than average, but it's right around the level we typically see from your Explorer. The TBN was 2.0, some active additive left. Wear metals were okay. Try another 2000-3000 miles and check back. Great engine!
This data not only debunks the myth of the 3k OCI, it completely blows it out of the water. Further, it also demonstrates the worth of bypass filtration and high quality synthetic motor oil.
These great wear numbers could indeed contribute to the gas mileage I get.
