couple GC issues

[Russell]

For the first time, my bmw is using a bit of oil. only down 1/2 quart in a 5,000 mile fill of GC. I think it is too thin for this year/mileage of vehicle. Perhaps 5,000 is too long. I plan a UOA.

Also, I notice a random sharp tick/click at idle. It seems to be getting louder. Could it be related to GC? I plan to change the oil this weekend with Castrol syntec 5w50.

 

[warchildindy]

I have friend that owns BMW's. He said that it is normal for a BMW to consume oil. Is this the first time, that the car has used oil?

My understanding is that on some modern high performance engines (multiple valves, smaller engines), it is normal for oil consumption, between oci's.

 

[Russell]

Thanks for the reply, Yep, first time it has ever used oil to my knowedge. Of course, It does have 138,000 miles. I have sort of expected it to start at some point.

My biggest conceren is the random tick/click I hear at idle. Just wonder how related this is to GC, if at all.

 

[OriginHacker21]

GC is close to a 40 weight. In my 2.2L Ecotec 4 banger it caused ticking upon startup then goes away when the engine warms up. I notice that the Ecotec does not like to rev past 3,000 rpm very freely with GC 0w30 in comparison to Amsoil 5w30 (thinner).

As for using oil - if you've used 5w50 before - I might stick with that instead of going with GC 0w30. It is possible that the thicker oil "quieted" the ticking in your engine while GC 0w30 does not. I know with GC 0w30 in my engine, it is noticeably quieter in operation (idle/highway) than with Amsoil 5w30 (thinner).

 

[Russell]

it is possible that i just have a sticking injector. BTW, when I used mobil 1 0w40 I did not get this noise.

 

[ctrcbob]

I've used the GC in my Continental (does not use a drop) and also in my former Mercury Marauder, even when the Marauder was towing a trailer from FL to NM and back. Did not use a drop.

 

[LAGA]

I run GC in my daughters Ion with the 2.2 Ecotec and it runs like silk. I remember the day I switched over about a year ago and my daughter, who could not care less about cars, asked me what I did to her car because it was running so smooth. I did a 6 month OCI and had a UOA done and got back great numbers.

 

[warrior pilot]

Niece stopped by my place in Tx on way to New orleans from San Diego. Hundai Clanked so bad I thought it was gonna die in the yard. She said dealer said it needed a valve job. She was in a hurry so I just drained the oil and filled with GC. No filter . No time for one. She called from New Orleans and said the car ran like new . No Noise at all. More power. Couldnt tell it was running. Great job GC!

 

[Russell]

changed oil yesterday Mix of 4 quarts of Castrol Syntec 5w50 and 2 quarts Castrol Syntec 10w40. The clicking or ticking noise I had at hot/warm idle is NOW GONE! We shall see how long the noise stays away. Going to do an oil analysis on the removed GC fill. BTW, it really looked dark brown after 5,000 miles.

 

[Russell]

By the way I was wrong about using oil. It is apparently not using/buring/leaking the GC 0w30. I just misread the dipstick after not letting it set long enough for a reading.

 

[Russell]

Sent my GC oil to Blackstone on Tuesday for UOA with a TBN check. Hope to have the results by end of next week. Also no ticking sounds on warm idle with current fill.

 

[Russell]

Latest UOA on my 1995 BMW 525i. As Blackstone states below, 0wxx oil may not be the best for my engine. This is after two Auto R-x treatments and two runnof Castrol 4w50, 5w40 and then the 0w30. Think I will use heavier oil


Oil use interval 4,884 miles
Oil Castrol Syntec 0W30
No make up oil

Blackstone states
“We think you're on to something, with the 0W oil. That may very well be the reason that lead continues to read so high in your BMW. Other than lead, the engine looks fine. Thicker oils should protect the bearings better, so we suggest trying a different grade to see if lead improves next time. Keep your oil change at 4800-5000 miles for that sample, so you're comparing apples to apples in determining if the new oil works better. The TBN read 3.7, still active additive left. No fuel or other contaminants found. Lead is too high. Check back for another look.”


Aluminum: 3
Chromium: 1
Iron: 17
Copper: 2
Lead: 34
Tin: 0
Molybdenum: 6
Nickel: 1
Manganese: 0
Silver: 0
Titanium: 0
Potassium: 0
Boron: 12
Silicon: 3
Sodium: 1
Calcium: 1687
Magnesium: 557
Phosphorus: 810
Zinc: 1023
Barium: 0

SUS Viscosity 65
Flashpoint in F 505
Fuel % Anti-freeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubles % .4

TBN: 3.7 still active additive left

 

[ssj4]

interesting, I'm about to send my sample in to blackstone for my first UOA on GC. 1995 M3 128,000 miles total (3000 on the oil)

 

[Quattro Pete]

I'm finding it hard to believe that you'll find an oil that will do significantly better than GC. I suspect you have other issues that are responsible for your high lead. But I guess it doesn't hurt to try another oil just to see what happens.

FYI... that 505F flashpoint seems out of whack.

 

[Russell]

505F flashpoint seemed high to me as well sinceBlackstone says the values should be around 375. OK I used Techron and Valvoline Fuel Injector cleaners just at the end of the GC fill. Doubt if that is the problem.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Actually, I've seen reports where using Techron would cause elevated metal readings on UOAs. Not sure about the Valvoline one.

 

[Russell]

I heard the same thing. However, I told Blackstone about the cleaners, there was no comment on the UOA report. Sort of at a loss on what to do. I hate to take it to a mechanic and have him start tearing into it. It may be at 139,000 the motor is just a bit worn and i need to live with it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I'm no expert, but I don't think your figures are high enough to grant an immediate visit to a mechanic and begin exploratory surgery. I would wait for another UOA, without any additives this time.

 

[Craig in Canada]

I have also heard of Techron and Redline SI-1 causing high lead readings, regardless of the oil used.

 

[Russell]

FYI, I am now running a blend or Castrol 5w50 (4 quarts) and 10w40 (2 quarts) which raises the low end viscosity and lowers the high ed a bit. Seems to run fine with no warm idle tap like GC I promise no additives. OOPs! I just ran lucas UCL through a tank.