My 2008 Honda Element is burning oil after switching to full synthetic. For the first 9 years and 110,000 miles I used Honda synthetic blend with a Honda oil filter changed about every 5k and I never had to add oil between changes. Then last year, I was invited to participate in the Pennzoil Oil Analysis Program and I switched to the Pennzoil Ultra-Platinum they provided and a Fram Ultra filter. Since the first Blackstone oil analysis of my drained Honda Synth Blend said I could run it to 8k with no problem, I decided to run the Pennz Full Synth to 10k. During that 10k interval, I noticed that I had to add over a half of a quart of oil. The Blackstone analysis of the drained Pennz Ultra Platinum after 10k said:
"Wear metals look good in this sample. There weren't a lot of increases since last time, despite this oil seeing almost twice as much use. There was some slight accumulation, sure, but no more than we'd consider normal with the longer interval in mind. Silicon did read high in this sample, so it wouldn't hurt to check for air intake leaks just in case some of it is abrasive contamination, but with wear metals looking
good, we're not totally convinced there's anything too harmful going on. No contamination from fuel dilution,
water, or coolant was noted. Try 12,000 miles."
Now during this second run of Pennz Ultra Plat, I have had to add almost a quart of oil during another almost 10k interval. Is this something I should be concerned about? What do you think is going on? Should I switch back to synth blend or stay with full synth? How do I check for air intake leaks like Blackstone suggests? BTW, I have no oil leaks that I can see.
"Wear metals look good in this sample. There weren't a lot of increases since last time, despite this oil seeing almost twice as much use. There was some slight accumulation, sure, but no more than we'd consider normal with the longer interval in mind. Silicon did read high in this sample, so it wouldn't hurt to check for air intake leaks just in case some of it is abrasive contamination, but with wear metals looking
good, we're not totally convinced there's anything too harmful going on. No contamination from fuel dilution,
water, or coolant was noted. Try 12,000 miles."
Now during this second run of Pennz Ultra Plat, I have had to add almost a quart of oil during another almost 10k interval. Is this something I should be concerned about? What do you think is going on? Should I switch back to synth blend or stay with full synth? How do I check for air intake leaks like Blackstone suggests? BTW, I have no oil leaks that I can see.
