Filter Media After 5.6k Miles Using AMSOIL Signature Series 0w20

[rstsco]

After changing the oil yesterday in the 2025 Pilot with 10k miles, I cut open the Amsoil EA15K13 filter and wrapped the filter media and core to help wick away some of the remaining oil. This morning I cut away the media and was surprised at the level of carbon after only 5.6k miles. This was the third oil and filter change since the car was purchased in May. Previous two changes were at 500 & 4k OCIs. There are a few metal specs in the media, which I tried circling, but the image does a poor job of capturing them. They are not widespread. Zero specs could be seen in the bottom of the filter housing.

Maybe this is normal, but I'm surprised by how dark the oil is and level of carbon deposits in the filter media. Oil samples will be sent to SpeeDiagnostix and WearCheck, as I'm transitioning away from SP.

Does this look as expected for a 5.6k interval using AMSOIL Signature Series? Thank you.

 

[TijY_]

Maybe this is normal, but I'm surprised by how dark the oil is and level of carbon deposits in the filter media.

You had a port injected vehicle before right? Expect more carbon with GDI I guess.
Looks like Amsoil filter and oil did their job well.

 

[buster]

After changing the oil yesterday in the 2025 Pilot with 10k miles, I cut open the Amsoil EA15K13 filter and wrapped the filter media and core to help wick away some of the remaining oil. This morning I cut away the media and was surprised at the level of carbon after only 5.6k miles. This was the third oil and filter change since the car was purchased in May. Previous two changes were at 500 & 4k OCIs. There are a few metal specs in the media, which I tried circling, but the image does a poor job of capturing them. They are not widespread. Zero specs could be seen in the bottom of the filter housing.

Maybe this is normal, but I'm surprised by how dark the oil is and level of carbon deposits in the filter media. Oil samples will be sent to SpeeDiagnostix and WearCheck, as I'm transitioning away from SP.

Does this look as expected for a 5.6k interval using AMSOIL Signature Series? Thank you.

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Typical, especially in a GDI engine. My sample was extremely black at only 5k miles.

 

[fantastic]

Your filter doesn't look too bad from the pictures.

 

[ltslimjim]

As we have learned, oil color is a natural reflection of oil in use but does not alone really tell you anything other than oxidation has taken place. Signature Series by Amsoil is among the best PCMOs you can find for resistance to oxidation and breakdown, but all oils will be exhausted faster the more fuel dilution is present. Regardless of extending the interval further or not, the SS likely is doing its job.

 

[rstsco]

You had a port injected vehicle before right? Expect more carbon with GDI I guess.
Looks like Amsoil filter and oil did their job well.

The Audi was GDI without having the benefit of port and DI like the same model sold in Europe. Then again, I only ran Shell premium. The Pilot has been fed mostly 87 octane, Top Tier fuel. I used Amsoil PI once, and their Upper Cylinder stuff for a while after buying the Pilot. Before changing the oil this time, I ran a full tank of fuel using Redline Complete fuel system cleaner, then about another 1/4 tank before yesterday's oil change.

 

[TijY_]

The Audi was GDI without having the benefit of port and DI like the same model sold in Europe. Then again, I only ran Shell premium. The Pilot has been fed mostly 87 octane, Top Tier fuel. I used Amsoil PI once, and their Upper Cylinder stuff for a while after buying the Pilot. Before changing the oil this time, I ran a full tank of fuel using Redline Complete fuel system cleaner, then about another 1/4 tank before yesterday's oil change.

The questions becomes if it is not cheaper to just fuel up on 91 instead of buying all those additives.
I am experimenting with TCW3 two stoke oil in my 1kr-fe as UCL. They are known for piston slap.

 

[rstsco]

The questions becomes if it is not cheaper to just fuel up on 91 instead of buying all those additives.

Looking strictly at the numbers between using fuel additives and running on the Shell Premium, the additives are still a lot less expensive. I'd already started slipping a few tanks of Shell premium in intermittently, but after seeing this media, may try running only Shell premium. It might be hard, as we're going to be doing a lot of traveling in the next few months and Shell stations are not as easily found in certain parts of the US.

When I get the used oil analysis results, hopefully they will give a little more insight into the big picture view.

 

[GW.]

Looks like SS is doing its job well!

 

[ka9mnx]

Looks like SS is doing its job well!

Right. Nothing special noticed here.

 

[rstsco]

This OCI I'm running Shell V-Power Nitro+ almost exclusively to see if it will slow the level of carbon deposits. The more I research high levels of carbon deposits in the Honda J35Y8 engine, the more data I'm finding where this issue is being seen by quite a few others, even running Top Tier fuels as I've done prior to this OCI. Some are having to have engines replaced due to cylinder scoring, allegedly due to carbon deposits, within the first 18k - 36k miles. These are not engines being neglected, either.

I hope running HPL will be just the ticket this engine needs for long life, but based upon the data I'm now seeing, it's an issue with the design of the engine.

There is not a VCM muzzler available for this engine, but my understanding is using Tow or Sport modes disables VCM activation. I'm adding this to my routine of turning Auto Start/Stop off on every drive.

So much for getting rid of the Audi before the warranty ran out because I wanted a vehicle that would "last forever".

 

[Fair enough]

If there is a place for a toilet paper oil filter like Frantz that would probably clean the carbon. I am surprised to hear stories about piston scoring on new cars. I think most Hondas are used as appliances with poor maintenance that last forever, or sales would plummet.

 

[Zee09]

That's why they call it black gold

 

[4wd]

I’d worry more if that SS looked new - additives alone will darken oil - and combustion does the rest …

 

[rstsco]

I was watching this Whip City Wrencher video posted a few days ago, and as he was looking at the media, commented that it caught some soot and carbon particles, saying there are "quite a few of them on there". Compared to my media, his looks pristine. The filter's mileage was 5,157 miles, so just a few hundred less than my interval.

 

[Panda87]

It could always be worse. Honestly I think your filter media at 5k looks pretty good. Here is my filter media from the Ford 5.4 3V in my Navigator at 1200mi that I posted a while back.

 

[Panda87]

Addendum! Here is the analysis of AMSOIL Signature Series 0w-20 using the Amsoil filter from my former 2019 Odyssey with the J35Y7 engine. Full OCI, though I didn’t note it in my submission. Hope it helps give you some warm and fuzzies about how it’s holding up over your intervals.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

Like others have said, once you can disable VCM with a muzzler device, do so. That’ll help reduce temperature differentials which can contribute to this.

Using that Top Tier fuel helps too. I’ve also seen positive MPG gains from using fuel cleaner like Techron once per interval.

DI engines run dirty, but there are ways to ensure they stay clean.

 

[rstsco]

Thank you for sharing @Panda87 .

 

[rstsco]

Like others have said, once you can disable VCM with a muzzler device, do so. That’ll help reduce temperature differentials which can contribute to this.

After several sessions using a scan tool, I can say when in Sport or Tow drive modes on my 2025 Pilot with the J35Y8 engine, the VCM does not activate. I'm not ready to put my first-born on the line, yet, but pretty confident in my findings so far.

Sport drive mode holds the gears quite a bit longer and has more engine braking. Tow drive mode shifts as in Normal mode, but disables the rear sensors from auto-braking. Backup camera operates as normal. In Sport or Tow drive modes, the auto start/stop system is disabled. More scan tool testing to come.

I've been running Shell premium (except for one tank) since the last OCI and not using any fuel system additives. I wanted to see if the carbon deposit levels decrease as well as see if the Manganese level drops to zero or near-zero, as it was 15ppm last UOA. Yesterday I filled up at a Shell station next to a Costco and regular was $2.29 and premium was $3.69, so I decided to end the premium test early at about 3k miles. When I got home, I pulled an oil sample through the oil dipstick and will be sending to Wearcheck sometime this week. It won't show the carbon deposits, but will show the Mn level. I'll continue to run this oil until 5k when I'll pull the filter for a C&P. Fingers crossed.