This UOA is for my sister's 2019 Subaru Ascent. This OCI includes approximately 2k of highway miles for a heavily laden summer drive from WA to ID and back, with the remainder probably 30/70 city/highway. We drained it a bit earlier than normal in order to get the lab sample. Overall I think it's pretty good, and that her dealership is trying to rip her off.
TL DR: Sister went 12k on a previous OCI, dealer told her that her engine is damaged. This sample was drawn 6k miles after she was told that, and I think it refutes their claim. What do you think?
Here's the more detailed story for anyone interested:
She accidentally did about a 12k mile OCI from approximately 20k miles to 32k miles. She has been having the dealer where she bought it do her oil changes; according to them they use some type of Castrol synthetic 0W-20, but they were not specific as to the exact formula. When she was finally able to take it to her local dealer for an oil change they told her that her long OCI had caused leaking from the oil pan and probably done serious engine damage. They said that there were metal flakes visible in the used oil, and wanted to start doing expensive diagnostic procedures.
When she told me about it I thought that was absurd that a synthetic would fail that badly after 12k miles, considering that many manufacturers are recommending OCIs up to 10k. As far as driving styles, we are polar opposites - She's very cautious and doesn't use boost very often, so it's not as if she's hard on the engine.
I had her bring the car to me and I got it up on ramps. There is minor weeping from the oil pan gasket, nothing serious, but a little disappointing for what was at the time a 32k mile vehicle. We decided to do a UOA to find out the truth about the significant metal flakes she was told about. Due to scheduling issues the dealer did her next oil change at about 35k miles, then I did the 38k mile change where we drew this sample.
She's been monitoring the oil level closely since 32k miles and the oil level is remaining constant with no measurable changes.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
TL DR: Sister went 12k on a previous OCI, dealer told her that her engine is damaged. This sample was drawn 6k miles after she was told that, and I think it refutes their claim. What do you think?
Here's the more detailed story for anyone interested:
She accidentally did about a 12k mile OCI from approximately 20k miles to 32k miles. She has been having the dealer where she bought it do her oil changes; according to them they use some type of Castrol synthetic 0W-20, but they were not specific as to the exact formula. When she was finally able to take it to her local dealer for an oil change they told her that her long OCI had caused leaking from the oil pan and probably done serious engine damage. They said that there were metal flakes visible in the used oil, and wanted to start doing expensive diagnostic procedures.
When she told me about it I thought that was absurd that a synthetic would fail that badly after 12k miles, considering that many manufacturers are recommending OCIs up to 10k. As far as driving styles, we are polar opposites - She's very cautious and doesn't use boost very often, so it's not as if she's hard on the engine.
I had her bring the car to me and I got it up on ramps. There is minor weeping from the oil pan gasket, nothing serious, but a little disappointing for what was at the time a 32k mile vehicle. We decided to do a UOA to find out the truth about the significant metal flakes she was told about. Due to scheduling issues the dealer did her next oil change at about 35k miles, then I did the 38k mile change where we drew this sample.
She's been monitoring the oil level closely since 32k miles and the oil level is remaining constant with no measurable changes.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.