You CAN extend oil change intervals ( OCI )

[aldive]

Yes, you can indeed extend oil change intervals.

The data shown below is from my '99 SOHC using Amsoil Bypass filtration ( Dead Link Removed ). The oil used is Amsoil Series 2000 0W30 ( Dead Link Removed ). The mileage on this oil sample is 17,400 miles. The oil is 1 year 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 ( I have never added any makeup oil to this motor ).

As an experiment, LCD, Inc.’s ( http://www.lubecontrol.com/ ) LC20 (Dead Link Removed ) was used during this entire test. The usage was as follows: 1 oz/qt of oil for the initial dose, and then 1 oz every 1,000 miles. The appropriate amount of crankcase oil was removed when the LC20 was added to maintain the proper fill level.

Blackstone Labs ( Dead Link Removed ) performed the UOA. I have used them for years.

The first number is the current sample data, and the last represents Blackstone’s average of data collected for this type motor.

Aluminum 6 6
Chromium 1 1
Iron 24 24
Copper 9 10
Lead 3 6
Tin 0 1
Zinc 785 975
Molybdenum 10 9
Nickel 1 1
Manganese 0 0
Silver 0 0
Titanium 0 0
Potassium 1 1
Boron 7 16
Silicon 16 12
Sodium 10 4
Calcium 2834 2142
Magnesium 98 532
Phosphorus 645 792
Zinc 785 975
Barium 0 0


TBN 1.8

Viscosity @ 210 degrees F: 4.8 Typical Amsoil 0W-30: 56-64
Flashpoint in degrees F 410 >375
Typical Amsoil 0W-30: >365
Fuel % <0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubles % 0.3

Blackstone's comments: AL: Nothing much changed in this sample from the last. Wear improved a little, as this oil hasn't been run as long as the last. As nicely as this engine wears you shouldn't have a problem getting another few thousand miles out of this fill of Amsoil. We suggest resampling at the 21K-22K mile mark to keep an eye on wear. The TBN read 1.8 so you have enough active additive to make it to that mark but not much past. No fuel, coolant, or moisture was found and the air and oil filters are working well. This has to be one of the nicest wearing 4.0L we've seen this year!

This data further debunks the myth of the 3k OCI and it also demonstrates the worth of bypass filtration using high quality synthetic oil.

Furthe, I see no reason to continue using LC20; it did nothing for me ( as compared to the last UOA ).

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Al, would you care to break down the costs of full syn oil, the extra filtration, additives and analysis?

I am curious to see if there is a financial benefit to this.

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks Al, I'm going to get caught up soon, and add a bypass filter as well.

 

[aldive]

Al, would you care to break down the costs of full syn oil, the extra filtration, additives and analysis?

I am curious to see if there is a financial benefit to this.

I shall give it a go ...

Amsoil 0w30 Series 2000 oil $7.65/qt x 6 = $45.90
Amsoil Bypass filter $27.65
Amsoil EaO oil filter $11.65
Amsoil Bypass filter system $152.50

total $266.44 including sales tax and shipping

I would not use any additive $0.00

UOA $22.00
TBN $10.00

When comparing, remember that Amsoil rates this oil ( w/o bypass filtration for 35k miles.

Remember by using this oil your gas mileage will definitely increase as will the life of your motor.

You can also use less expensive Mobil 1 oil and get similar results. Be sure to use a high quality filter.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hokie]

Looking purely at cost savings on oil changes (using dino oil and a 3500 mile change interval)... it would take me ~ 60,000 miles to pay off this mod.

If you factor in engine wear and fuel mileage increases.

Right now I think i'll stick to Mobil 1 and a 7-8k change interval

 

[aldive]

Looking purely at cost savings on oil changes (using dino oil and a 3500 mile change interval)... it would take me ~ 60,000 miles to pay off this mod.

If you factor in engine wear and fuel mileage increases.

Right now I think i'll stick to Mobil 1 and a 7-8k change interval

Remember, my friend, that you can go 35k with the Amsoil Series 2000 oil without a bypass filter set up.

Recalculate and see where that puts you.

 

[Hokie]

Remember, my friend, that you can go 35k with the Amsoil Series 2000 oil without a bypass filter set up.

Recalculate and see where that puts you.

I did, I calculated for one oil and filter(s) change.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't criticizing. There is a strong business case for better quality oils. As a High Horsepower Service Engineer our customers ask me almost weekly what they can do to extend the oil change interval on their $250k engine.

We do oil analysis studies all the time at work. I could get monthly oil samples if I wanted to - might have to have one done on my truck.

For me, with 130k miles on my engine, I doubt I'll have it for another 60k miles.

For someone with a brand new truck, I totally think its worth it.

 

[Jason94sport]

I've seen tests on other cars & older cars that say otherwise. I guess it depends on the car, kind of oil, oil filter, weather & driving habits.

I change my Acura at 7,500K mile intervals, & my X gets 4K.

I drive both hard also

 

[aldive]

90% of my driving is short in town trips of 2 miles or less. This is the worst possible conditions for motor oil.

Care to share these reports?

 

[CDW6212R]

Al, have you thought about adding an oil pressure reservoir? The regular starting can be helped by priming the engine with oil first.

Those devices are common, but I've always wanted something which was more automatic. I'd like to be able to turn the key to start, and the starter would not engage until oil pressure rose high enough to trigger a pressure sensor. This doesn't affect mileage, so I hadn't mentioned it before. I could use the improved oiling at my startups. Regards,

 

[kert0307]

Al, I'm not trying to discount any of your results, they all seem to be done very well, but one thing you have to realize is that not all members on this forum live in Florida. I'd like to see this test redone with a vehical that had seen some freezing temperatures, and high temps in the same run. It's not uncommon to change fluids in tractors and other engines up here and actually have some visible water in it if it hasn't been run in the last few months just because of the temp differences and humidity.

Seems to be working great for you though.

 

[aldive]

There are a lot of testimonals on the Amsoil website from users all over the country.

Forme, I have no intention of being where its cold ; however, I feel the results would be similar.

 

[aldive]

Al, have you thought about adding an oil pressure reservoir? The regular starting can be helped by priming the engine with oil first.

No, I have not considered using such a device ( I am, however, familiar with them ).

My truck gets pretty good gas mileage, has great UOA reports and makes over 200 RWHP. I think its doing pretty good.

 

[Jason94sport]

90% of my driving is short in town trips of 2 miles or less. This is the worst possible conditions for motor oil.

Care to share these reports?

I don't have them any longer. They were from a another website I had bookmarked.

2 cars were 93 Mazda's & another was a 91 sable. It was regular 10W30 though.