oil analysis

Matt82 · 11 Oct 2010 at 12:08

Without a reference or a bank of data on previous samples it will be hard to say what is normal

oh, because ill just flick through my bank of data whilst sat with my breakfast?

id imagine you do have access to loads of oil analysis, you didnt offer access to it at all though, you just said where i could find the info i needed... so no need for a high horse really

Simon · 11 Oct 2010 at 12:11

Problem is none of it would be useful as it's not from your car.

Matt82 · 6 Jan 2011 at 19:05

4k later, the level on the dipstick has moved 2mm-3mm. debating whether or not to top it up as its not long to go until its reached its 5k-6k interval.

as for the results, comparing new to old and then to whatever else i can find on the web might make it a useful exercise

Matt82 · 6 Jan 2011 at 19:17

could be fun

http://triumph2000register.co.uk/?p=994

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oil-Spy-insta...CarParts_SM&hash=item27b771823e#ht_719wt_1139

still reading it. seems to tell more about the condition of the engine rather than the qualities of the oil though

Matt82 · 8 Apr 2011 at 10:51

i have totally overshot the oil change.

it has done nearly 8k and required about 200-300ml top up.

where can i send it to get some meaningful data back that will make sense to laymen like us?

~~#M-Bizzle#~~ · 8 Apr 2011 at 10:59

I dont understand the point in this, or what you are expecting to see?

Matt82 · 8 Apr 2011 at 11:01

to see whether a cheap, effectively no brand oil, is actually any good.

Simon · 8 Apr 2011 at 11:02

Matt82 said:
i have totally overshot the oil change.

it has done nearly 8k and required about 200-300ml top up.

where can i send it to get some meaningful data back that will make sense to laymen like us?

An oil analysis company will tell you some absolute numbers, there's a few offering it online.

lordrobs · 8 Apr 2011 at 11:37

Matt82 said:
to see whether a cheap, effectively no brand oil, is actually any good.

But for what purpose? Surely you would only go for non branded oil to save a few quid... something that you would wipe out for a lifetime with the cost of analysing the stuff?!

Matt82 · 8 Apr 2011 at 11:53

curiosity, bust a myth, just because i want to know, but an A4 sheet of paper wont tell me a lot.

on the bmw boards ive seen a lot of analysis done by blackstones

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...iscussion/154499-blackstone-oil-analysis.html

the uk equivalent would be good though

~~#M-Bizzle#~~ · 8 Apr 2011 at 12:40

Matt82 said:
to see whether a cheap, effectively no brand oil, is actually any good.

And how are you going to know that?

What are you looking for that will tell you whether it is or not ?

Whats the benchmark?

Matt82 · 8 Apr 2011 at 13:25

the levels in the new oil vs used. there is info about "tbn" about other oils (where people have done analysis) on google

DM · 8 Apr 2011 at 13:29

Matt82 said:
to see whether a cheap, effectively no brand oil, is actually any good.

Whats the difference in price between the no name and something you know for sure is good out of interest?

Matt82 · 8 Apr 2011 at 14:15

not a huge amount, i buy them in 25 litre drums, the difference from one to the next wont be more than £20-£30.

im not trying to eeek pennies out of engine oil (by spending £s on analysis) im just nosy

DM · 8 Apr 2011 at 14:16

Matt82 said:
not a huge amount, i buy them in 25 litre drums, the difference from one to the next wont be more than £20-£30.

im not trying to eeek pennies out of engine oil (by spending £s on analysis) im just nosy

Ah right, oh well let us know how you get on if you find someone to do it.

~~#M-Bizzle#~~ · 8 Apr 2011 at 14:24

I suppose this could well be interesting, depending on whether the results can be interpreted into something meaningful.

After looking at that BMW thread, there is no way that I would be able to say first hand what a slightly elevated lead and copper content actually meant.

Interesting too that a poster in that thread said "you will always find trouble if you go looking for it!"

Simon · 8 Apr 2011 at 16:07

Matt82 said:
the levels in the new oil vs used. there is info about "tbn" about other oils (where people have done analysis) on google

TBN depletion is much more complicated than just looking at a number, in fact there is an argument that lower TBN is better as it's neutralising the acids better - all depends on the chemistry type though.

Dangerous Dave · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:02

Slightly off topic but an oil question for you Simon. My local VW dealer has stopped using Castrol oil and now using what appears to be UK VW approved Quantum oil, they claim this is made by Castrol and is the same oil as the Castrol SLX 3 they used to use just cheaper.

A quick google seems to confirm Castrol make this but a lot of talk that it is not approved by VAG worldwide and does not appear on the approved 504/507 oil list despite the 1L Quantum bottles clearly showing they are 504/507 VW approved.

Can you confirm if the oil is the same blend as Castrol SLX 3 ? and if it is 504/507 approved ?