EcoPower 10w-30, 5,000 miles 08 GMC Acadia 3.6L

[Rat407]

Here is my latest report on my 08 Acaida with the 3.6l engine. This isn't a DI engine and it has 75k mile on the vehicle and this oil run had 5k miles on it with a Pure One oil filter and a new STP air filter installed. Oil Life Monitor was at 56%. Mostly mixed driving. I also run 6qts not the 5.5qts that the manual calls for. Previous report was with RLI 5w-20 oil running a PO oil filter and new STP air filter.

 

[21Rouge]

Originally Posted By: Rat407
Here is my latest report on my 08 Acaida with the 3.6l engine.


You must be pleased to see the Pb fall so dramatically. It looks like you have finally got this element under control.

Another example of a thicker grade doing well in this application.

(Did you refill with the same oil)

Originally Posted By: Rat407
I also run 6qts not the 5.5qts that the manual calls for.


I do similarly.

 

[stubbakatt]

The lead is typical of RLI oils, and seems to trend down with continued usage.

Originally Posted By: 21Rouge
Originally Posted By: Rat407
Here is my latest report on my 08 Acaida with the 3.6l engine.


You must be pleased to see the Pb fall so dramatically. It looks like you have finally got this element under control.

Another example of a thicker grade doing well in this application.

(Did you refill with the same oil)

Originally Posted By: Rat407
I also run 6qts not the 5.5qts that the manual calls for.


I do similarly.

 

[CATERHAM]

Really can't refer to the EcoPower 10W-30 dino being heavier to the bio-ester RLI 5W-20 as both have similar HTHS viscosities of about 3.0cP and therefore is not the reason for the better wear numbers.

Although one UOA each of a mineral and a bio-ester is anything but conclusive, at the very least the bio-ester oil holds no wear advantage.

 

[21Rouge]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Really can't refer to the EcoPower 10W-30 dino being heavier to the bio-ester RLI 5W-20 as both have similar HTHS viscosities of about 3.0cP


Can you give me the reference showing the HTHS # for EcoPower...I don't see it shown at http://www.ecopoweroil.com.

 

[chubbs1]

Man the RLI is kind of disappointing. Nice UOA on the EcoPower! Oh wait, that is tree hugger oil. those must be false readings Thanks.

PS: I had to open my mouth because of recycled oil bashing by a very few on BITOG. I wish they would do their homework and realize there is NO physical difference between Virgin oil and Recycled oil.

 

[Brons2]

where does one buy this oil?

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: 21Rouge
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Really can't refer to the EcoPower 10W-30 dino being heavier to the bio-ester RLI 5W-20 as both have similar HTHS viscosities of about 3.0cP


Can you give me the reference showing the HTHS # for EcoPower...I don't see it shown at http://www.ecopoweroil.com.

We don't have a precise HTHS vis for either RLI or EcoPower but EcoPower being a basic 10W-30 dino will have a virgin HTHS somewhere in the 2.9cP to 3.1cP range. It has also sheared out of grade at least 10% vs only 4% for RLI. Bottom line is these oils have operational viscosities that are close.

 

[Rat407]

Originally Posted By: Brons2
where does one buy this oil?


That is an issue now. I can't get it like I used too online through SafetyKleen. Well I can but I have to buy it by the drum. Not practical for me. It would take me 12yrs to use up a drum. Kind of stinks since it was $3.50 a qt including shipping when I purchased a case last summer.

 

[INDYMAC]

Thanks for posting Rat407. I too have tried to purchase EP 10W-30 locally, but with no luck.

I don't think the low viscosity is a function of mechanical shearing (HT/HS), but due to high fuel dilution. Regardless, the EP chemistry still held up and offered excellent wear control...especially for the bearings!

 

[21Rouge]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: 21Rouge
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Really can't refer to the EcoPower 10W-30 dino being heavier to the bio-ester RLI 5W-20 as both have similar HTHS viscosities of about 3.0cP


Can you give me the reference showing the HTHS # for EcoPower...I don't see it shown at http://www.ecopoweroil.com.

We don't have a precise HTHS vis for either RLI or EcoPower but EcoPower being a basic 10W-30 dino will have a virgin HTHS somewhere in the 2.9cP to 3.1cP range. It has also sheared out of grade at least 10% vs only 4% for RLI. Bottom line is these oils have operational viscosities that are close.


It isnt hard to find 10W30s with similar viscosities to EP having (much) larger HTHS than your imposed max of 3.1.

For example just start with the ubiquitous M1 10W30. (In fact the 40C viscosity of the Ecopower is higher than the M1 ie 67.2 for EP vs 65.3 for M1). Anyways M1's published HTHS is 3.26. So if we give the RLI 5W20 a max of of 2.9 then this difference in HTHS isn't trivial.

(Of course I guess if you round with truncation the Ecopower # and round up the RLI # than you are correct in that they are both 3

.)

 

[Rat407]

I would run this 100% in the Acadia if I could get it. It has done well and since I can't go extended drains due to the fact that the 3.6L just beats up the oil I would just us the EP and Pure One filters and be happy. So now I have to find another alternative at a low cost. I liked the fact that it was recycled 100%.

 

[addyguy]

Results look really, really good.

I've thought for a while now, in observing these 3.6 GM engines, that the best course for them is a less-expensive 10W-30/5W-30 conventioanl oil changed more often, and this seems to be the case.

Longer runs, on even the best syn oil, just seem to invite problems from fuel dilution - either 'normal' fuel dilution, or 'freak' fuel dilution spikes that seem to happen with this engine.