1988 Cadillac brougham MS5K 10w-30 4000 miles

[SS1970chrysler]

First run of oil through my caddy after it's resurrection from the junkyard. Used MS5k 10w-30 as the fill and used it for top-offs as well. Pronto oil filter used and same oil was used for adding. An STP "knockoff" was used about 3k into the run. Now it has QSGB 5w-30 and AC filter in the car. Despite the numbers, the car runs great and I really like driving it.

"This first sample from your Caddy showed high aluminum, iron, and lead readings compared to
averages, which are based on about 2,500 miles on the oil. Aluminum may show a little piston wear, and
lead shows bearing wear. Iron is from steel parts -- it's not as far out of line as other metals are, but it is still
somewhat high. Note the elevated viscosity as well, though no contamination was found in the oil. If the
engine runs well, our only suggestion for now is to check back at a similar interval for another look.
Hopefully metals hold steady or improve."

Car- 1988 Cadillac Brougham 307 4bbl
Miles on oil- 3,920
Miles on car- 111,598
sample date- 12/28/2012
make up added- 6 quarts

Aluminum- 23
Chromium- 5
Iron- 140
Copper- 6
Lead- 28
Tin- 1
Molybdenum- 11
Nickel- 0
Manganese- 2
Silver- 0
Titanium- 30
Potassium- 4
Boron- 8
Silicon- 10
Sodium- 298
Calcium- 2306
Magnesium- 19
Phosphorus-854
Zinc- 1081
Barium- 0

SUS viscosity @ 210 F- 66.2
CST viscosity @ 100 C- 11.93
Flashpoint in F- 400
Fuel%- Antifreeze%- 0
Water%- 0
Insolubles%- 0.5

 

[Lead Shoes]

6qts make up in 4k miles?! That's a lot...

 

[Brons2]

I'd use a 40wt personally. PCMO 10w40 for the wintertime and HDEO 15w40 the rest of the time.

 

[volk06]

Looks like it needs some rotella.

 

[jorton]

Holy smokes! That must be one smooth riding car. I would just like to know if that used oil felt gritty. If it ever does, you should change the oil early.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I bought this for a regular 92 mile highway round trip to work and back at speeds from 60mph to occasional 70mph. I like a car that I can see the ends of with one-finger steering and minimal road-feel. I've felt roads a long time and it's over-rated.
The oil drained out when I brought it home was very sooty and difficult to remove the staining from my hands. This oil I put in, looked streaky for a week or two until it blended with the remaining "goo" that was in there. After about 2k miles, consumption shot up rapidly. I don't even have to jack up this one to change oil. I will say that changing it is very messy on this model.

My approach to this car is going to be different from my others in that I'm scaling upwards in thickness until I find something that works good enough for me or it dies.
I do have QSGB 10w-30, QSGB 10w-40, T5 10w-30, VPB 15w-40 and Service Pro 30w for future use...
Of note: the owners manual for this one specs 5w-30 preferred, but also lists 10w-30 and 30w. The manual for my past '85 olds w/same engine strongly recommended against 10w-40 oils but may have to go that route.

 

[electrolover]

Sounds like you got a sludger. I bet all the metals are from old sludge breaking down. Dont know what to say about all the consumption. ....if its using that much I bet you would never have to change it, just the filter.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: electrolover
Sounds like you got a sludger. I bet all the metals are from old sludge breaking down. Dont know what to say about all the consumption. ....if its using that much I bet you would never have to change it, just the filter.


Could be... All I did was buy it and do minimal repairs/maintenance to drive it. Only things I've done was change air filter, oil change, grease job, and set of rear shoes. Only repairs done were the wiper motor and steering column. I've had UOA's that were worse, so no panicking here yet.

 

[caravanmike]

it might clean up after awhile!

 

[BobsArmory]

I think he may be right. A couple short OCIs with Rotella T6 5w-40 might be just the ticket to rid the engine of the metals trapped in the sludge that could be in there.

I've never said this before but doing the MMO thing near the end of the OCI "might" also help.

Originally Posted By: electrolover
Sounds like you got a sludger. I bet all the metals are from old sludge breaking down. Dont know what to say about all the consumption. ....if its using that much I bet you would never have to change it, just the filter.

 

[shell_user]

I would give the QSGB 10W40 or T5 10W30 a shot.

 

[Chris142]

I wonder if your losing a cam

 

[RTexasF]

That oil consumption is horrific! A case of oil in the trunk is a must.

 

[OVERKILL]

I'd step up to a cheap 15w40 HDEO.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Compared to my Riv, it's actually quite good and I do have about 5/6 quarts in the trunk. I refill them from larger bottles.

I believe most of it is due to leaks.
Originally Posted By: RTexasF
That oil consumption is horrific! A case of oil in the trunk is a must.

 

[daman]

Is that the Oldsmobile 307 engine?

 

[SS1970chrysler]

yes, it is.
Originally Posted By: daman
Is that the Oldsmobile 307 engine?

 

[shell_user]

Yeah, you could get some ST 15W40 as its what around $10 and change

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
yes, it is.
Originally Posted By: daman
Is that the Oldsmobile 307 engine?

Thats what i thought,strange tho I've had two of these engines in olds cutlasses in my youth and they were good little engines(bullet proof) ran smooth used no oil nothing like what your describing,maybe your wasn't taken care of,etc.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
yes, it is.
Originally Posted By: daman
Is that the Oldsmobile 307 engine?

Thats what i thought,strange tho I've had two of these engines in olds cutlasses in my youth and they were good little engines(bullet proof) ran smooth used no oil nothing like what your describing,maybe your wasn't taken care of,etc.


my last one of these motors leaked copious amounts of oil as well. the only wet area I can find is near the rear seal. If it was only driven locally like I used to drive, the oil loss would be far less for the same miles. The last 307 I had was only 15 years old at the time and had about 65k on it. This one is 24 years old with 112k on it presently. It starts right up and runs smoothly. no misses, sputters, klunks, or rattles and runs me 92 miles per day at 60?mph. I can't say I'd take any "heroic" measures to save this one or the Riv other than basic maintenance and repairs. These are just "ok" cars to me and not really anything special.