Oil analysis on a 2000 Buick GSE 3.8L V6, Supercharged. Three samples reported, first column with OEM fill at 4365 miles, second at 12,190 miles and third at 12,947 miles. Oil and filter changed at each sample and for the last two samples the filter was also changed at about 6000 miles into the interval. Oil added in last two samples is about a quart including the filter change. No nitration or oxidation and the TBN and visc. available only for the last sample. Total engine mileage is 29,487 miles. Total sump capacity is 4 quarts 20 ounces. Oil in engine about 8 months. Filters were the Amsoil SDF 29
Note two things on these samples. The silicon level which has dropped to normal ranges after about 20,-000 miles on the engine from a high of 173 to 18 ppm. Copper which is still too high for me but reduced considerably from 423 to 194 ppm. Note that on a per 1000 miles basis this went from 97 ppm/1000 miles to 15ppm/1000 miles., quite a decrease. Either the copper components in question are wearing very quickly and the engine will blow soon or the abnormal manufacturing of components has worn down to acceptable levels in the future. May never know. Does show the value of trend analysis and using the same oil over time to evaluate engine wear. .
Oil used in the last two samples was Amsoil 10W30 full synthetic, not the XL series. However, based upon the TBN of just under 5, I would say I could probably go 15,000 on this oil but very doubtful it would make 25,000. I am going to stick with the 12,000 mile change on this engine, which is about 60% interstate use.
Miles 4365 12190 12947
iron 29 21 18
chromium 4 4 5
nickel aluminum 8 7 6
lead 14 13 16
copper 423 306 194
tin silver titanium silicon 173 47 18
boron 61 9 3
sodium 11 7 7
potasium 15 moly phosphorus 1067 1283 1215
zinc 1023 1502 1655
calcium 233 2575 3373
barium magnesium 977 457 355
antimonty vanadium fuel % vol ? ? 1.0
total solids .3 .3 .3
water visc 100C ? ? 11.5
SAE Grade ? ? 30
TBN ? ? 4.99
The lab is Analysts Inc. out of Hoffman Estates, IL. for all three samples. No oil additives used, gas additives are Amsoil PI, Schaeffer Neutra and Chevron Techron at various intervals.
[ August 30, 2002, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: Spector ]
Note two things on these samples. The silicon level which has dropped to normal ranges after about 20,-000 miles on the engine from a high of 173 to 18 ppm. Copper which is still too high for me but reduced considerably from 423 to 194 ppm. Note that on a per 1000 miles basis this went from 97 ppm/1000 miles to 15ppm/1000 miles., quite a decrease. Either the copper components in question are wearing very quickly and the engine will blow soon or the abnormal manufacturing of components has worn down to acceptable levels in the future. May never know. Does show the value of trend analysis and using the same oil over time to evaluate engine wear. .
Oil used in the last two samples was Amsoil 10W30 full synthetic, not the XL series. However, based upon the TBN of just under 5, I would say I could probably go 15,000 on this oil but very doubtful it would make 25,000. I am going to stick with the 12,000 mile change on this engine, which is about 60% interstate use.
Miles 4365 12190 12947
iron 29 21 18
chromium 4 4 5
nickel aluminum 8 7 6
lead 14 13 16
copper 423 306 194
tin silver titanium silicon 173 47 18
boron 61 9 3
sodium 11 7 7
potasium 15 moly phosphorus 1067 1283 1215
zinc 1023 1502 1655
calcium 233 2575 3373
barium magnesium 977 457 355
antimonty vanadium fuel % vol ? ? 1.0
total solids .3 .3 .3
water visc 100C ? ? 11.5
SAE Grade ? ? 30
TBN ? ? 4.99
The lab is Analysts Inc. out of Hoffman Estates, IL. for all three samples. No oil additives used, gas additives are Amsoil PI, Schaeffer Neutra and Chevron Techron at various intervals.
[ August 30, 2002, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: Spector ]
