Flushing for Accurate UOA

[OriginHacker21]

I'm running 10k of GC Gold then plan on doing a used oil analysis. Also planning on 10k of Amsoil 0w30 & GC Green to compare 10k used oil analysis.

I am almost half way through my 10k OCI of GC Gold - what I did before this fill was to run GC Gold for 1770 miles as sort of a "flush" fill. Unfortuantely, I cannot afford this with Amsoil's 0w30 nor do I have enough GC GREEN.

I've had two people that I trust recommend using conventional oil to "flush" the engine for 500 miles or so between oils. Any suggestions/comments? I'd like to get an accurate as possible used oil analysis on each 10k run of these oils. -Paul

 

[427Z06]

I don't necessarily believe you can determine which is better between two well working oils strictly through a single UOA of each. I believe you need at least three (w/particle counts) over all variations of climate and use holding all the other variables constant, and there has to be "significant" differences, taking in account sampling differences, lab repeatabilty, etc. Other people may disagree.

However, I agree, that standardized dino flushes (of identical dinos) prior to each trial might be your best bet.

[ March 06, 2006, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: 427Z06 ]

 

[m2200b]

I don't see why you're trying to do 10K OCI when you could have run three OCI of 7K if you didn't flush. IMO you don't gain enough accuracy in your UOA to make up for $25 flushes.

I suppose you could use Chevron 49 cent dino as your 500 mile flush but I'm using that for 5000 OCI since I don't throw out new oil.

 

[OriginHacker21]

I'm doing the 10k OCIs just for the UOA to compare top oils (0w30). Personally, I would like to go with a good dino (Chevron) for my vehicle and do 5k OCIs but I have 30+ quarts of GC Gold that I spent a lot of good money on. So, to make it all worth while I'll go 10k and do some testing (used oil analysis).

I'm just doing this for personal comparison and curiosity. Definitely not a controlled scientific experiment... Still, I don't want someone to say: "You can't compare those used oil analysis because you didn't flush/the other brand is left over, etc..."

So, you guys think that I can get just as accurate UOA without flushing? That would save the pocketbook!!!

 

[OriginHacker21]

BTW: I don't like throwing out new oil either. My dad has my flush fill of GC to use in his Ford Focus (using Castrol Syntec).

 

[m2200b]

I'd just use the GC since you already have enough to run 36 - 50K at either 6-10K OIC.
Why test even more oil in your car if in the next two or three years you'll see the other syns used in GM 4 anyway in the used oil analysis section. I'd stock or try a pureone oil filter since they are $3 at pep boys with a rebate.

I'd test the GC sooner than 10K - maybe 6K.
Sounds like you have the oil part of running your car taken care of. I'd spend the rest of the time or money on the rest of the maintenance
since oil is only part of a well/ long running car.