1996 BMW 740il M62B44 Mobil1 0w40 Waited for timer to run out ~3yrs

[DummDumm]

Hi guys can I get some help understanding this.

I decided to see what would happen if I let the timer run out and this is the results.

Engine runs great with 265,000 miles.

I acquired it with 150k and switched from the obvious dino to Mobil1 in 2008.

Also doesn't that viscosity look to high?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Viscosity is fine. Bearings OTOH.

 

[DummDumm]

Viscosity is fine. Bearings OTOH.

Yup, But is that due to the oil length between changes or just age and mileage?

 

[ripcord]

Yup, But is that due to the oil length between changes or just age and mileage?

We can only speculate. You would need multiple UOAs over time to get a better idea. UOA results are poor diagnostic tools.

 

[DummDumm]

We can only speculate. You would need multiple UOAs over time to get a better idea. UOA results are poor diagnostic tools.

OK so how often should I be checking it?

I went to mobile1 AFE 0w30 this time.

I only drive it ~60 miles a week tops.

 

[ripcord]

OK so how often should I be checking it?

I went to mobile1 AFE 0w30 this time.

I only drive it ~60 miles a week tops.

Personally, I would take the money you would spend on UOA's and just change the oil more often.

 

[DummDumm]

Personally, I would take the money you would spend on UOA's and just change the oil more often.

I always changed it every year but really wanted to see what would happen if I waited for the BMW timer to run out.

Its an old car that I won't cry about spinning a bearing.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Yup, But is that due to the oil length between changes or just age and mileage?

It's not the oil change interval because M1 0w40 is formulated to go 10k-15k miles.

Probably age related wear. I'd be interested in trying Redline High Performance 0w40. It has a high HTHS of 4.1

OK so how often should I be checking it?

I went to mobile1 AFE 0w30 this time.

I only drive it ~60 miles a week tops.

Dump that. M1 AFE 0w30 does not have the minimium HTHS required of your engine.

You want to use a EURO oil preferably with one or more of the following approvals in a 40 grade.
BMW LL01
Mercedes Benz 229.50
Porsche A40

 

[kschachn]

You want to use a EURO oil preferably with one or more of the following approvals in a 40 grade.
BMW LL01
Mercedes Benz 229.50
Porsche A40

This. Why anyone would spend essentially the same amount for an oil with no approvals is a bit odd.

Or an oil with Longlife-04 approval such as Pennzoil Euro L, available at most Walmart for $26.44. That's a steal for an oil with a demanding approval and same HT/HS requirement.

 

[DummDumm]

This. Why anyone would spend essentially the same amount for an oil with no approvals is a bit odd.

Lack of knowledge, I should have done the test and posted before doing the change but live and learn.

So I guess I should just test it again in 6 months and see the change.

I'm not going to do another oil change if I don't have to, I'm getting to the point where my health is being tested with even a simple procedure like this.

 

[DummDumm]

We can only speculate. You would need multiple UOAs over time to get a better idea. UOA results are poor diagnostic tools.

I thought these test were the best diagnostic tools, that literally the reason I did one.

 

[DummDumm]

Dump that. M1 AFE 0w30 does not have the minimium HTHS required of your engine.

I want to stick with M1 as its been running better than when I bought it since I switched it over.

So what M1 flavor should I be using?

I read all the descriptions on Mobils website and thought this one would be better than the basic one I have been using.

 

[BrendanC]

Lack of knowledge, I should have done the test and posted before doing the change but live and learn.

So I guess I should just test it again in 6 months and see the change.

I'm not going to do another oil change if I don't have to, I'm getting to the point where my health is being tested with even a simple procedure like this.

that oil doesn’t meet the minimum specifications of your motor and will not provide adequate wear protection. maybe find a decent indy mechanic that will put some euro 0/5w-40 back in it. with that mileage i’d be changing at a MAX of 6k miles.

 

[kschachn]

I want to stick with M1 as its been running better than when I bought it since I switched it over.

So what M1 flavor should I be using?

I read all the descriptions on Mobils website and thought this one would be better than the basic one I have been using.

If you are stuck on a brand then get one with a BMW approval such as Longlife-01 or Longlife-04, or has one of the approvals BMWTurboDzl lists. Either that or follow whatever your owner's manual says.

 

[kschachn]

I thought these test were the best diagnostic tools, that literally the reason I did one.

Where did you read that?

 

[RooflessVW]

Looks okayish to me.

Should have gotten TBN. I suspect it is low and causing the high wear metals. I'd stick with annual oil changes.

Let me know if you ever want to move on from this car. Always on the look out for a nice 7er.

 

[DummDumm]

If you are stuck on a brand then get one with a BMW approval such as Longlife-01 or Longlife-04, or has one of the approvals BMWTurboDzl lists. Either that or follow whatever your owner's manual says.

doing a search on "Longlife-01 or Longlife-04" I found this.

About 10 years ago, LongLife-04 was deemed unsuitable for BMW gasoline engines outside of Europe, not only because of a lower starting TBN with higher sulfur fuel, but also due to the presence of ethanol in countries like the United States. Mercedes-Benz did the same thing, specifying MB Sheet 229.5 over 229.51 for vehicles exported outside of Europe. I'm not sure if this is still the case, someone with more information can chime in.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...gives-better-protection-than-ll04-oil.329930/

So I have no clue what to believe.

 

[DummDumm]

Looks okayish to me.

Should have gotten TBN. I suspect it is low and causing the high wear metals. I'd stick with annual oil changes.

Let me know if you ever want to move on from this car. Always on the look out for a nice 7er.

I'll get the TBN next time, really didn't think I needed anything more than this as all I really wanted to know is if the oil was done or not after the bmw timer ran out.

And I still don't have an answer to that.

From the report I think "check back in 4k miles" means it can still be used so the timer is correct?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

doing a search on "Longlife-01 or Longlife-04" I found this.


https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...gives-better-protection-than-ll04-oil.329930/

So I have no clue what to believe.

US moved to ULSG in 2020 and BMW has been using a thinner grade of LL04 in the US since around 2018. In any case, just buy Mobil 1 FS 5w40 or the 0w40 or Mobil Super 5w40 Euro if you feel you must stay with M1.

M1 recommends FS 5w30 (LL01) or ESP 5w30 (LL04) for your vehicle.

 

[DummDumm]

US moved to ULSG in 2020 and BMW has been using a thinner grade of LL04 in the US since around 2018. In any case, just buy Mobil 1 FS 5w40 or the 0w40 or Mobil Super 5w40 Euro if you feel you must stay with M1.

It also states

but also due to the presence of ethanol