Anything to be gained from low mile UOA?

[mkiv808]

I have a fair weather car (V8 Vantage 4.3) that’s driven about 2500 miles a year.

I change the oil once a year, no matter the mileage.

I have only had roughly 1000 miles on the car since the last change.

I’m curious about doing a UOA to see how the engine is wearing. Was just going to pump some out of the fill cap (it’s a dry sump system and no separate dipstick tube).

Is 1000 miles too little for any insight on wear metals etc?

It’s not due for an oil change until next winter/Spring and even then, will likely only have 1200-1500 more miles.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

That would still almost be a VOA. To be most economical, try to find a lab that would run just a water test and TBN. That way you make sure you’re not allowing corrosion. Also, probably start & run it every now and then to circulate & re-coat the engine parts with fresh oil.

Wait til at least 2500 miles, and suck out a sample. You may not need to change at that mileage.

 

[MRC01]

... Also, probably start & run it every now and then to circulate & re-coat the engine parts with fresh oil.

Yes, but if you do this make sure to drive it long enough for the oil to get up to full temperature. Otherwise, you're not removing the water and the combustion (especially running rich when it's cold) only adds more carbon, fuel and acid to the mix.

 

[fantastic]

I have a fair weather car (V8 Vantage 4.3) that’s driven about 2500 miles a year.

I change the oil once a year, no matter the mileage.

I have only had roughly 1000 miles on the car since the last change.

I’m curious about doing a UOA to see how the engine is wearing. Was just going to pump some out of the fill cap (it’s a dry sump system and no separate dipstick tube).

Is 1000 miles too little for any insight on wear metals etc?

It’s not due for an oil change until next winter/Spring and even then, will likely only have 1200-1500 more miles.

Test it at oil change time? No need to test it at 1k.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Yes, but if you do this make sure to drive it long enough for the oil to get up to full temperature. Otherwise, you're not removing the water and the combustion (especially running rich when it's cold) only adds more carbon, fuel and acid to the mix.

Umm… that’s why I said to make sure water content and TBN are tested

 

[mkiv808]

OK, will wait.

The Vantage has a nice feature where you can get the oil pressure up before starting when it's been stored a while. Basically the starter motor works without fuel. The oil light goes out when it's up to pressure. Then you start as normal. I use it quite often. On my old Lotus I used to pull the fuel pump fuse and do it manually after it was sitting for a long time.

 

[rstcso]

I look at VOAs and UOAs more from an entertainment perspective than gathering useful data which results can be quantified to help make informed decisions. Besides, the cost of a UOA isn't much more expensive than a cup of Starbucks these days.

For those old enough... waiting on UOA results is like waiting for the Sears Christmas Wish Book to show up in the mail, but in this case, email.

 

[lakestone]

You gain a baseline to start a trend. Then you sample let's say every 5000 miles when you change your oil filter (gas engine), if you run a very high quality motor oil like HPL.