oil analysis - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Dave Wilson · 04-28-2011, 08:54 PM

Anyone out there having their engine oil tested, esp from day one (break in period etc). I've had the Joe Gibbs break in oil (used for first 250-300km) tested and most recently a sample from an oil change at about 6000km. Both samples tested higher than normal levels of various metals with a caution that these levels should decrease substantually next test. I'm using Blackstone Labs but will also send a sample to Finning (local Canadian Co.) next time for comparison.

coolman · 04-28-2011, 08:59 PM

And this is in what year and model of car. Corvette? What model?

The Stig · 04-28-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolman

And this is in what year and model of car. Corvette? What model?

+1

Dave Wilson · 04-28-2011, 09:10 PM

Sorry, 2010 SS/RS V8 M6

coolman · 04-28-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Wilson

Sorry, 2010 SS/RS V8 M6

Wow that doesn't sound good for a car with such low miles. What made you think to have it tested in the first place?

Dave Wilson · 04-28-2011, 09:26 PM

We have planes that we test regularly to give a heads up in case anything is wearing/breaking down prematurely. More of a 'need to know' thing rather than a concern. In the case of the Camaro if something is going on that shouldn't be I'd rather catch it sooner than later. BTW car has ARH/Corsa exhaust and CAI cai, no tune.

coolman · 04-28-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Wilson

We have planes that we test regularly to give a heads up in case anything is wearing/breaking down prematurely. More of a 'need to know' thing rather than a concern. In the case of the Camaro if something is going on that shouldn't be I'd rather catch it sooner than later. BTW car has ARH/Corsa exhaust and CAI cai, no tune.

I get you now. I have a buddy that works on planes for a living. It makes him anal about everything his does. He's the most meticulous person I know. I'm sure that a car motor doesn't need to meet the same standards that a plane engine needs to meet. Could it be that the testing lab is trying to hold the results of your camaro to those same high standards?

Sin · 04-28-2011, 09:44 PM

What metals are testing high?

BIGSWOLE · 04-28-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Wilson

Anyone out there having their engine oil tested, esp from day one (break in period etc). I've had the Joe Gibbs break in oil (used for first 250-300km) tested and most recently a sample from an oil change at about 6000km. Both samples tested higher than normal levels of various metals with a caution that these levels should decrease substantually next test. I'm using Blackstone Labs but will also send a sample to Finning (local Canadian Co.) next time for comparison.

Was wondering how much something like this would cost to get done?

Dave Wilson · 04-28-2011, 10:08 PM

The test results ( plane, car, lawnmower, etc.) are compared to universal averages and unit location averages (check out website for more info blackstone-labs.com) and cost about $20+-. The metals that show high on my last test were copper, iron, aluminum. Some of these and other metals and the silicon levels are likely residual from wear-in process. I'm using Castrol SLX 5w-30 syn the only other GM approved for this car (warranty) oil other than Mobil 1 in Canada, as I've been told. I'd be particularly interested in hearing about any test results for supercharged V8's.

jehartley · 04-29-2011, 06:00 AM

Well, if high iron is a concern, I wouldn't go to Mobil 1. Use oil analysis consistently shows high iron in all Mobil 1 runs except for the Mobil EP line. Blackstone can be a tad generous with things sometimes on the UOA's...sometimes the TBN is a bit low too.

I'd do a few more UOA's before worrying...let those break-in metals settle down. GM engines are notorious (according to UOA's) for throwing wear metals well up until you get around 30,000 miles on the clock of a new engine.

NavyDood · 04-29-2011, 08:38 AM

I'm more interested in the acutal numbers also.

Dave Wilson · 04-29-2011, 07:19 PM

Once I figure out how to post test results I'll do it

pdesanctis · 05-18-2011, 04:42 PM

I blame the Joe Gibbs break-in oil :P

04-28-2011, 08:54 PM	#1
Dave Wilson Drives: Corvette/Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 21	oil analysis Anyone out there having their engine oil tested, esp from day one (break in period etc). I've had the Joe Gibbs break in oil (used for first 250-300km) tested and most recently a sample from an oil change at about 6000km. Both samples tested higher than normal levels of various metals with a caution that these levels should decrease substantually next test. I'm using Blackstone Labs but will also send a sample to Finning (local Canadian Co.) next time for comparison.

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04-28-2011, 08:59 PM	#2
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	And this is in what year and model of car. Corvette? What model?

04-28-2011, 09:10 PM	#4
Dave Wilson Drives: Corvette/Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 21	Sorry, 2010 SS/RS V8 M6

04-28-2011, 09:26 PM	#6
Dave Wilson Drives: Corvette/Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 21	We have planes that we test regularly to give a heads up in case anything is wearing/breaking down prematurely. More of a 'need to know' thing rather than a concern. In the case of the Camaro if something is going on that shouldn't be I'd rather catch it sooner than later. BTW car has ARH/Corsa exhaust and CAI cai, no tune.

04-28-2011, 09:44 PM	#8
Sin Drives: DEAD Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 348 View My Garage	What metals are testing high?

04-28-2011, 10:08 PM	#10
Dave Wilson Drives: Corvette/Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 21	The test results ( plane, car, lawnmower, etc.) are compared to universal averages and unit location averages (check out website for more info blackstone-labs.com) and cost about $20+-. The metals that show high on my last test were copper, iron, aluminum. Some of these and other metals and the silicon levels are likely residual from wear-in process. I'm using Castrol SLX 5w-30 syn the only other GM approved for this car (warranty) oil other than Mobil 1 in Canada, as I've been told. I'd be particularly interested in hearing about any test results for supercharged V8's.

04-29-2011, 06:00 AM	#11
jehartley Drives: Red LT1 & Silver LS3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 221	Well, if high iron is a concern, I wouldn't go to Mobil 1. Use oil analysis consistently shows high iron in all Mobil 1 runs except for the Mobil EP line. Blackstone can be a tad generous with things sometimes on the UOA's...sometimes the TBN is a bit low too. I'd do a few more UOA's before worrying...let those break-in metals settle down. GM engines are notorious (according to UOA's) for throwing wear metals well up until you get around 30,000 miles on the clock of a new engine.

04-29-2011, 08:38 AM	#12
NavyDood Retired Navy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NW of DFW Posts: 915	I'm more interested in the acutal numbers also.

04-29-2011, 07:19 PM	#13
Dave Wilson Drives: Corvette/Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 21	Once I figure out how to post test results I'll do it

05-18-2011, 04:42 PM	#14
pdesanctis i like to go fast Drives: 2011 SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: jupiter, florida Posts: 154	I blame the Joe Gibbs break-in oil :P