07 Mazda CX-7, 2.3L Turbo, Pennzoil Plat. 10W-30

[Last_Z]

This PP run isn't as good as on QS RPM 10W-30 (previous oil), but I'm still satisfied. This Pennzoil did see most of the winter weather, from January 08 until a week ago. This winter was very cold and seemed very long. Also, my drive is now shorter and more city-like.....but not by much. The fuel is an inherent property of this direct-injected, overly rich engine. It broke the oil down pretty good. The silicon is amazing....consistently in the low single digits.

Questions, comment and all else....feel free!

Rick

EDIT: As for the comment from Blackstones "you almost nailed it", they are referring to my prediction fuel was going to be at 1% or less. It didn't smell as bad as before, so I figured it was going to be better this time. I guess I was quite off on that.

 

[addyguy]

All I can say, is MAN, do those direct-injection turbos ever tear-up oil! Still, results aren't bad!

RI_SI4(?) used to go on about how the 4.2 V-8 in his Audi is harsh on oil, but I think we have another competitor for the title of 'hardest engine on oil'...this makes Toyota/Chrysler sludgementers look tame....

 

[astraelraen]

Why do they always comment about taking the engine out to warm it up to burn off the fuel in the oil?

I mean, if you are a city driver and fuel is in the oil probably 95% of the time, wouldn't it be more accurate of a representation to have fuel dilution in the uoa rather than take it out on the highway one time to burn off the fuel and "show a good uoa"?

I'm going to have a 5-6 month, ~2000 mile OCI with 95% city driving coming up soon that I will do a UOA on for my CX7. That should be interesting.

 

[ericthepig]

Originally Posted By: astraelraen
Why do they always comment about taking the engine out to warm it up to burn off the fuel in the oil?

I mean, if you are a city driver and fuel is in the oil probably 95% of the time, wouldn't it be more accurate of a representation to have fuel dilution in the uoa rather than take it out on the highway one time to burn off the fuel and "show a good uoa"?


My thoughts precisely. If fuel is in there most of the time, tearing up your oil most of the time, then why hide from it on your UOA?

 

[Last_Z]

Yes, these engines are really hard on oil, no matter what oil. Looking back, you can see the highest fuel % was back at 9700 miles with 2% fuel. I'm sure the cold weather added to the problem, so I'm hoping the warmer months are easier.

astraelraen,

Is that you from mcx-7.com? I'm Rick, screen name "Rick's CX-7" Good to see you here.
You do have a valid point on the fuel thing, although I doubt a short highway run would get rid of much fuel. In fact, I did drive on the highway right before sampling.

FYI, I replaced the Pennzoil Platinum with Valvoline Maxlife 10W-30. Hoping it turns out good.

Rick

 

[Nederlander75]

You are getting decent results with OTC oils, despite my trash talking on other threads. Not a bad report.

 

[LexusAussie]

Originally Posted By: ericthepig
Originally Posted By: astraelraen
Why do they always comment about taking the engine out to warm it up to burn off the fuel in the oil?

I mean, if you are a city driver and fuel is in the oil probably 95% of the time, wouldn't it be more accurate of a representation to have fuel dilution in the uoa rather than take it out on the highway one time to burn off the fuel and "show a good uoa"?


My thoughts precisely. If fuel is in there most of the time, tearing up your oil most of the time, then why hide from it on your UOA?

I think the intent is to remove the potential factor of fuel dilution caused by stop and go traffic (which is normal)from the analysis. If you remove this factor and still have a fuel dilution problem, then there is another cause and you can't put the fuel dilution down to "stop and go" driving.

 

[Eddie]

I prefer to submit my oil sample that represents my typical driving. I don't wish to skew the results by artificially making a long drive or adding oil just before sample taking. JMO Ed

 

[SubLGT]

I have to shake my head at Blackstone's comment that 1.5% fuel is not a problem. Your data clearly shows a strong correlation between iron concentration and fuel concentration.

 

[Last_Z]

Well, sometimes you have to take some of their comments with a grain of salt. I know fuel is a problem in this car and If I could just keep it at or below 1%, then I'll be a happy camper. Although wear did increase some, I'm still happy with the results. If it does as good on Maxlife as it did with the QS oil, next OCI is going to be very good.


FYI; just in case I have you guys lost....from left to right on the report:

Pennzoil Platinum 10W-30, QS RPM 10W-30, Motorcraft 5W-20, Motorcraft 5W-20 and Havoline 5W-30

This car calls for 5W-30 without mandating synthetic

 

[addyguy]

I think Maxlife 10W-30 will do very well in your engine - it shows very good results, and seems very robust against insults like fuel, too-long oci...etc...how long are you planning to run it?

If it doesn't do as well as you'd like, have you given any thought to trying a 10W-30 HDEO, like Delo 10W-30, or Rotella 10w-30?

 

[Last_Z]

I'll run Maxlife somewhere between 4 and 5k miles. I have thought about an HDEO, but those 10W-30s are hard to find. If I do, I may run RTS 5W-40 with some 5W-30 mixed in. Total capacity is 6qts.

 

[Scott P]

I have a MazdaSpeed 6. I've had small amounts of fuel dilution in my two samples. I'm down to 5 or so miles per trip now, so I wonder who that will affect things. I have Mobil 1 5W-30 in there now.

 

[Last_Z]

One thing I forgot to mention, this oil does have a 1700 mile trip to San Antonio, TX. Still, I think the cold and fuel account for the increased wear.