Hi Guys,
I have a small request if you would be so kind.
i am a member on a UK M3 forum and unfortunately a member recently had their car serviced by what has turned out to be a rogue BMW specialist. After a few ugly truths came out about said rogue company the member grew suspicious about the oil in his M3 so sent a sample of the oil in his engine along with a virgin Oil sample of the correct oil for the S54 engine, Castrol TWS/Edge 10W60. The results are below and it is quite evident that the oil in the engine is not a 10W60, going by the cSt @ 40 deg C it looks to be a semi synthetic 10w40.
Could I please ask someone to have a look at the results of both samples and advice as to how bad the oil in the engine is or if you think any damage could have been done. It has only been in there for less than 1000 miles.
Thanks
Kash
Link to site
unknown E46 M3 engine oil vs castrol edge 10w60
Following on from previous threads, having had his Insp II carried out by AL tuning Sinths sent a sample of his engine oil to be scientifically tested and verified, to see if it was castrol 10-60 as AL claim, as you can see it was not
SYMPTOMS: Note level of : Water @ 0.7
DIAGNOSIS: This oil does not represent the new oil. Viscosity and additives level
ACTION: Please investigate cause of water
Date Sampled 30/11/2010
Date Received 06/12/2010
Date Tested 08/12/2010
Unit Life
Oil Life (hrs)
STATUS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Viscosity @ 40°C cSt 97.6
Water Content %wt 0.7 **
Total Insoluble Matter % 0.3
SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Iron ppm 27
Chromium ppm 0
Aluminium ppm 3
Molybdenum ppm 8
Copper ppm 12
Lead ppm 8
Tin ppm 0
Nickel ppm 0
Silicon ppm 2
Sodium ppm 5
Boron ppm 14
Vanadium ppm 0
Calcium ppm 2796
Phosphorus ppm 993
Zinc ppm 1164
Magnesium ppm 27
Barium ppm 0
SATISFACTORY***********SATISFACTORY************SAT ISFACTORY
SYMPTOMS: Analysis results are within our recommended limits for new oil
DIAGNOSIS: Unit satisfactory. Lubricant fit for further service.
ACTION: Continue sampling at scheduled interval.
Date Sampled 30/11/2010
Date Received 06/12/2010
Date Tested 08/12/2010
Unit Life
Oil Life (hrs)
STATUS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Viscosity @ 40°C cSt 158.1
Water Content %wt 0.0
Total Insoluble Matter % 0
SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Iron ppm 3
Chromium ppm 0
Aluminium ppm 4
Molybdenum ppm 2
Copper ppm 0
Lead ppm 0
Tin ppm 0
Nickel ppm 0
Silicon ppm 32
Sodium ppm 1
Boron ppm 172
Vanadium ppm 0
Calcium ppm 1570
Phosphorus ppm 885
Zinc ppm 989
Magnesium ppm 623
Barium ppm 0
The Oil Lab Ltd
15 Limefield, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 6PJ
Tel/Fax:- 01254 677101
www.theoillab.co.uk [email protected]
Company Registration: 6371143 VAT Registration: 917 2556 16
OUR GUIDE TO YOUR ENGINE OIL SAMPLE REPORT
Thank you for using our service, we are confident you will find the attached report useful. By analysing oil on a regular basis you can achieve a long trouble free life from your vehicle/ machine, and optimum life from your oil.
For your guidance we give below an explanation of the spectrochemical details that are shown on our reports. ( ppm = parts per million)
Total Insoluble Matter) Principally carbon generated by combustion 2.5% max.
Iron Generally results from ring, bore, cam, tappet or crankshaft wear. If the concentration quickly reaches 50 ppm inspect to determine the cause. Permissible maximum is about 100 ppm.
Chromium Usually from piston rings or plated bores, 30 ppm is the normal working maximum.
Aluminium Caused by piston or bearing wear, we would warn you at a level of 20 ppm or above.
Copper May originate from copper/lead bearings, oil coolers and pipework erosion or syncromeshes in gearboxes, we don’t like to see above 50 ppm .
Lead Usually derived from lead/tin bearings (white metal) or copper/lead main and big end bearings. Is also used as an octane boosting additive in petrol. If the lead originates from bearing wear, then over 50 ppm indicates a problem. Petrol engines running on leaded fuel can show levels of several thousand ppm.
Tin From lead/tin or aluminium/tin bearings . Levels over 25 ppm need investigation.
Nickel Used as an alloy in steel components and will rise as a function of iron wear.
Silicon Normally derived from sand/clay ie. dust. Over 20 ppm indicates need for attention to air intake filter/ trunking or excessive wear will result.
Sodium Indicates water ingress most commonly due to coolant leaking in to oil. Usually caused by faulty head gasket, liner seals or perforated liner. We would expect to see levels of 100 ppm and above if there is a problem
Boron Used either as an additive in antifreeze or as an extreme pressure additive
in some oil blends. Levels over 50 ppm if they come from antifreeze indicate a problem.
Vanadium Contained in surface coatings, turbine impeller blades, valves. Also a trace element derived from base oil or fuel - not of concern in normal applications.
CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, ZINC, MAGNESIUM AND BARIUM are additives used by oil companies in the manufacture of their lubricants.
Oil Analysis is such a useful maintenance tool for everyone, whether in industry or at home. Our aim is to make it affordable, accessible and easy to understand. We hope that we have achieved our objective and that we can continue to be of service to you.
the Oil Lab.co.uk Tel. 01254 677101
The Oil Lab Ltd
15 Limefield, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 6PJ
Tel/Fax:- 01254 677101
www.theoillab.co.uk [email protected]
Company Registration: 6371143 VAT Registration: 917 2556 1
I have copied and pasted the results to with hold Sinths home address. AL tuning have a copy and are adament their supplier sent them the wrong oil
I have a small request if you would be so kind.
i am a member on a UK M3 forum and unfortunately a member recently had their car serviced by what has turned out to be a rogue BMW specialist. After a few ugly truths came out about said rogue company the member grew suspicious about the oil in his M3 so sent a sample of the oil in his engine along with a virgin Oil sample of the correct oil for the S54 engine, Castrol TWS/Edge 10W60. The results are below and it is quite evident that the oil in the engine is not a 10W60, going by the cSt @ 40 deg C it looks to be a semi synthetic 10w40.
Could I please ask someone to have a look at the results of both samples and advice as to how bad the oil in the engine is or if you think any damage could have been done. It has only been in there for less than 1000 miles.
Thanks
Kash
Link to site
unknown E46 M3 engine oil vs castrol edge 10w60
Following on from previous threads, having had his Insp II carried out by AL tuning Sinths sent a sample of his engine oil to be scientifically tested and verified, to see if it was castrol 10-60 as AL claim, as you can see it was not
SYMPTOMS: Note level of : Water @ 0.7
DIAGNOSIS: This oil does not represent the new oil. Viscosity and additives level
ACTION: Please investigate cause of water
Date Sampled 30/11/2010
Date Received 06/12/2010
Date Tested 08/12/2010
Unit Life
Oil Life (hrs)
STATUS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Viscosity @ 40°C cSt 97.6
Water Content %wt 0.7 **
Total Insoluble Matter % 0.3
SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Iron ppm 27
Chromium ppm 0
Aluminium ppm 3
Molybdenum ppm 8
Copper ppm 12
Lead ppm 8
Tin ppm 0
Nickel ppm 0
Silicon ppm 2
Sodium ppm 5
Boron ppm 14
Vanadium ppm 0
Calcium ppm 2796
Phosphorus ppm 993
Zinc ppm 1164
Magnesium ppm 27
Barium ppm 0
SATISFACTORY***********SATISFACTORY************SAT ISFACTORY
SYMPTOMS: Analysis results are within our recommended limits for new oil
DIAGNOSIS: Unit satisfactory. Lubricant fit for further service.
ACTION: Continue sampling at scheduled interval.
Date Sampled 30/11/2010
Date Received 06/12/2010
Date Tested 08/12/2010
Unit Life
Oil Life (hrs)
STATUS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Viscosity @ 40°C cSt 158.1
Water Content %wt 0.0
Total Insoluble Matter % 0
SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Iron ppm 3
Chromium ppm 0
Aluminium ppm 4
Molybdenum ppm 2
Copper ppm 0
Lead ppm 0
Tin ppm 0
Nickel ppm 0
Silicon ppm 32
Sodium ppm 1
Boron ppm 172
Vanadium ppm 0
Calcium ppm 1570
Phosphorus ppm 885
Zinc ppm 989
Magnesium ppm 623
Barium ppm 0
The Oil Lab Ltd
15 Limefield, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 6PJ
Tel/Fax:- 01254 677101
www.theoillab.co.uk [email protected]
Company Registration: 6371143 VAT Registration: 917 2556 16
OUR GUIDE TO YOUR ENGINE OIL SAMPLE REPORT
Thank you for using our service, we are confident you will find the attached report useful. By analysing oil on a regular basis you can achieve a long trouble free life from your vehicle/ machine, and optimum life from your oil.
For your guidance we give below an explanation of the spectrochemical details that are shown on our reports. ( ppm = parts per million)
Total Insoluble Matter) Principally carbon generated by combustion 2.5% max.
Iron Generally results from ring, bore, cam, tappet or crankshaft wear. If the concentration quickly reaches 50 ppm inspect to determine the cause. Permissible maximum is about 100 ppm.
Chromium Usually from piston rings or plated bores, 30 ppm is the normal working maximum.
Aluminium Caused by piston or bearing wear, we would warn you at a level of 20 ppm or above.
Copper May originate from copper/lead bearings, oil coolers and pipework erosion or syncromeshes in gearboxes, we don’t like to see above 50 ppm .
Lead Usually derived from lead/tin bearings (white metal) or copper/lead main and big end bearings. Is also used as an octane boosting additive in petrol. If the lead originates from bearing wear, then over 50 ppm indicates a problem. Petrol engines running on leaded fuel can show levels of several thousand ppm.
Tin From lead/tin or aluminium/tin bearings . Levels over 25 ppm need investigation.
Nickel Used as an alloy in steel components and will rise as a function of iron wear.
Silicon Normally derived from sand/clay ie. dust. Over 20 ppm indicates need for attention to air intake filter/ trunking or excessive wear will result.
Sodium Indicates water ingress most commonly due to coolant leaking in to oil. Usually caused by faulty head gasket, liner seals or perforated liner. We would expect to see levels of 100 ppm and above if there is a problem
Boron Used either as an additive in antifreeze or as an extreme pressure additive
in some oil blends. Levels over 50 ppm if they come from antifreeze indicate a problem.
Vanadium Contained in surface coatings, turbine impeller blades, valves. Also a trace element derived from base oil or fuel - not of concern in normal applications.
CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, ZINC, MAGNESIUM AND BARIUM are additives used by oil companies in the manufacture of their lubricants.
Oil Analysis is such a useful maintenance tool for everyone, whether in industry or at home. Our aim is to make it affordable, accessible and easy to understand. We hope that we have achieved our objective and that we can continue to be of service to you.
the Oil Lab.co.uk Tel. 01254 677101
The Oil Lab Ltd
15 Limefield, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 6PJ
Tel/Fax:- 01254 677101
www.theoillab.co.uk [email protected]
Company Registration: 6371143 VAT Registration: 917 2556 1
I have copied and pasted the results to with hold Sinths home address. AL tuning have a copy and are adament their supplier sent them the wrong oil
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