BMW Z4 3.0L 4400 Miles GC 0W/30

[Scout1]

I bought this low mileage BMW last summer and this is my first run of GC through it. Not sure what the previous owner had in it before. Overall, I drive it pretty easy but jump on it once in a while. I had this oil in my stash for a couple of years and it's NOT the green stuff but I didn't just buy it recently. The miles on this run were kinda low, but it was a full year the oil was in the car so I felt that it was time to change it. Looks pretty good, no? These results are from Blackstone.

Code:


MAKE/MODEL BMW 3.0L I-6 (M54)

FUEL TYPE Gasoline (Unleaded)

OIL TYPE & GRADE Castrol 0W/30

OIL USE INTERVAL 4400 Miles







MI/HR on Oil 4400

M/HR on Unit 21000

Sample Date 4/30/2011

Make Up Oil Added



ALUMINUM 3

CHROMIUM 0

IRON 10

COPPER 2

LEAD 2

TIN 0

MOLYBDENUM 18

NICKEL 0

MANGANESE 1

SILVER 0

TITANIUM 0

POTASSIUM 5

BORON 13

SILICON 3

SODIUM 7

CALCIUM 1913

MAGNESIUM 458

PHOSPHORUS 890

ZINC 1192

BARIUM 0



Values

Should Be

SUS Viscosity @ 210 65 59-68

cSt Viscosity @ 100 11.629.9-11.9

Flashpoint in °F 360 >385

Fuel % 1.3
Antifreeze % 0 0

Water % 0
Insolubles % 0.2
TBN

TAN

ISO Code



Blackstone Comments

The only element reading high in this first sample from your BMW was fuel. At 1.3%, fuel is still within

acceptable limits, so we aren't about to call a fuel problem at this point, though we'll be watching fuel next

time to see how it reads. Wear looks just fine. Universal averages show that the average oil change interval

for this engine is about 6,000 miles, so your shorter oil use interval has kept the accumulation of metals to a

minimum. It's great to see that metals are mostly well balanced, and that indicates there are no mechanical

problems to speak of. Overall, nice report

 

[Quattro Pete]

Was there some short tripping involved just before you took the sample? That may help explain the slightly elevated fuel level.

Previous oil may have been M1 (0w-40?) judging by the leftover moly.

Looks like GC is doing well. I'm reverting to annual oil changes in my M54 as well since I don't drive it much anymore. I used to run 10K OCI on GC before.

 

[Scout1]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Was there some short tripping involved just before you took the sample? That may help explain the slightly elevated fuel level.


I don't think it was a short trip, but I have a theory. I always change on a warm engine and in this case I believe I had driven the car home from work, about a 22 mile freeway drive. But I let it sit for a short time and then run it a little bit to put the car up on ramps. Do you think that little bit of running may up the fuel level in the oil?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Scout1
Do you think that little bit of running may up the fuel level in the oil?

Probably not, but define "short time."

 

[chubbs1]

That was a good report, I wouldnt be concerned about the fuel because it doesn't seem to be causing any problems. Wear was very good and the oil did not shear, so it seems that you don't have a very serious problem with fuel dilution. You can definitely extend the OCI on this vehicle and "GC" seems to do well in your engine.

Excellent report, stick to what you are doing and extend to at least 7k. I would recheck with a TBN and park your vehicle where you can do your change without having to start it up again.

Thanks!

 

[Scout1]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Probably not, but define "short time."

To be honest, I don't really remember on this particular change. Usually I give it an hour or so to cool a bit before I go under... not really a set time.

I think I read on this forum that someone thought a brief run-up on a cold engine would indeed raise the fuel level in the oil. My engine would not be cold, but it wouldn't be up to operating temp either...