Amsoil 0w-30 4,589 Miles 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis

[ConfederateTyrant]

Amsoil Series 2000 0w-30 SL purchased February 2005
Miles installed - 101,000 miles/May 2005
SDF Filter changed at 104,000 miles/December 2005
Oil added - .75 quarts for filter change
Miles drained/tested - 105,589 miles/May 2006
Miles on oil - 4,589
Lab - Oil Analyzers

Iron - 14
Chromium - 1
Lead - 63
Copper - 18
Tin - 0
Aluminum - 5
Nickel - 8
Silver - 0
Silicon - 21
Boron - 43
Sodium - 0
Magnesium - 896
Calcium - 2644
Barium - 0
Phosphorous - 1136
Zinc - 1583
Molybdenum - 6
Titanium - 0
Vanadium - 0
Potassium - 0

Viscosity 100 C - 13.79
Fuel < 1
Water = 0
Glycol - NEG
Nitration - 18
Oxidation - 17
TBN - 5.14

Recommendation: NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL

I did a lot less driving during this year, unlike what was origially planned. I did a lot of maintenace during this OCI:
Replaced spark plugs and wires
Replaced all O2 sensors
Replaced fuel filter
Installed Amsoil EA Air Filter about 2,500 miles into the OCI.

That is all the work that is related to the engine. Also used Amsoil PI improver and Power Foam to clean the fuel system via PCV line and cleaning the throttle body. Most of these miles are short trips or city driving, very few highway miles.

Have drained this oil and I am now using the Series 3000 5w-30. Will sample again after it's full year of usage, unless I began doing a lot more driving, then I will re-sample after 5,000 miles.

My comments: I am not too impressed with these results when compared to my first run with Amsoil, http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003380 Anyone else agree that the amount of Silicon may be causing the higher copper, iron, and lead (unless Georgia is getting lead in the gas) metals? I made a attempt to clean my EGR ports back in December, so it's possible that I did not get the plenum completely sealed with the intake, or that gasket may have torn which is letting in unfiltered air. I got the plenum loose but discovered I did not have the correct gasket by a visual comparison of the mounting area so I put everything back together as it was, but will be fixing that soon as I just received the correct gasket. Any input on if the Amsoil EA filter is letting in too much dirt? My air housing is a lot cleaner than it was with the Fram air filter in there and the Amsoil filter is still pretty clean.

Engine runs smooth, the last 600 miles I drove gave me an average of 22 mpg, which is what I was getting when I first put in the oil, so the slight thickening did not affect my gas mileage.

 

[buster]

I think you have dirt getting through. Fix that and your numbers should drop.

*Did anyone notice that OAI said the oil is fine for continued use? Pb is 63ppm and they said it's fine. Kind of makes all the bickering about the small wear we normally come across seem pretty insignificant.

 

[KJA426]

The 63 lead caught my eye.

 

[Brett Miller]

63 lead! I had a UOA lambasted for 19 lead in 5,500 miles.

 

[Pablo]

Where does this much Pb come from when you have zero Sn and relatively low Cu?

Georgia!

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Perhaps there is some lead in the gas here in Georgia, but it seems that the silicon level is showing it's face with the amount of lead, copper, and iron. Last sample had 50 ppm lead with 2 ppm copper and 0 ppm tin, but also 4 ppm silicon. I see a correlation there, I looked at my filter assembly and everything is tightly sealed, I had a little fear about the plenum gasket leaving a leak for air to get through, so I'll take care of that very soon and see if the levels come down.

Pablo have you seen any data on how well the Amsoil EA filters are at preventing dirt ingestion, aside from the test on Amsoil's site?

 

[Pablo]

I've seen a couple UOA's with low numbers. I honestly don't think it's your air filter. It could be dirt ingestion, though. Although Al isn't super high.

Sure your Si is up, but at 50 your lead was higher before as well.

What engine - do these throw ONLY lead with dirt? Your Ni seems high as well - way out of proportion with the Fe.....very interesting.

Somehow this whole thing tells me your crankcase is open to the world.

Contact Terry.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

One other thing I did back in December was upgrade my exhaust from single to dual. I replaced from the Y pipe to the tail pipes so it became a true dual exhaust system and not a catback system. Is there a possibility that this could have caused any issues with engine wear?

 

[buster]

I'm surprised they did flag Pb as high or abnormal. I guess they focus soley on the oil which is technically still fine. ???

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Buster, I was surprised it wasn't high or abnormal either. The analysis was labeled normal.

 

[TooSlick]

I'd recommend:

1) Cease and desist the use of all fuel additives for the next 1-2 changes. I think this is partially the reason for the high lead.

2) Fix the obvious intake leak - here's a hint, your silicon level was 4 ppm the last time around after 4000 miles and now it's 21 ppm.

3) The presence of all that nickel is most likely part of the coating of your intake and exhaust valves, which indicates severe dirt ingestion.

TS

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Thanks TooSlick, I'll take care of it and see how everything goes on the next analysis.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Just to update, earlier I got done removing the intake plenum and cleaning the EGR ports. It was obvious that the gasket had separated slightly back in December when I loosened the bolts, but did not continue after that due to having improper supplies. After I got done reinstalling everything, I sprayed some carb cleaner around the mating surfaces while the engine was running to see if there was a leak, no change in RPMs, so it looked to me as I had no leaks.

Next analysis will hopefully show much lower silicon and wear levels.

 

[TooSlick]

I think you're on the right track....

TS

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I think I found a partial explanation to the higher metals, aside from the much higher silicon.

Terry made a post on another thread:

quote:

---

RL and Amsoils fuel additives are very similar in being equally ineffective in upping MPG, they will clean a bit, good detergency, but like many other adds used in a fuel diluting unit ( very common for a variety of reasons) they will react with softer alloys in the engine. Showing higher lead, copper,tin, al,levels.

---

I did use the Amsoil PI in the recommended doses, as well as injecting it via the PCV valve so it goes directly to the combustion chamber.

Next analysis will show if I've made some better decisions, as I have quit using the PI and believe to have fixed the intake leak.

 

[Bill]

Posted by ConfederateTyrant:

quote:

---

I did use the Amsoil PI in the recommended doses, as well as injecting it via the PCV valve so it goes directly to the combustion chamber.

---

You put PI (undiluted) into PCV valve?

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Yes, but very small amounts, not an entire bottle, probably 4-6 ounces, and squirted it in very slowly. Did this while it was running so it was burned quickly, but it could have worked it's way past the rings and into the sump and therefore reacting with the metals.

 

[TooSlick]

If you want to clean the intake, I'd simply use some Power Foam a few hundred miles before you plan on changing the engine oil. Back when engines had carbs I used this stuff with excellent results.

PI is best used @ 1 ounce/10 gallons of fuel in the tank....

TS