GC 0W30 02 Maxima 1707 miles

[gfcrane]

Change interval is very low miles but six months time to satisfy warranty requirements.
Engine: Nissan VQ35DE V-6
Filters: OEM air, ST7317 oil
Miles: 7614 engine, 1707 oil
Time: Oct to Apr
90% short city trips, 10% short highway trips
Blackstone Labs

• Al 2
  Cr 1
  Fe 11
  Cu 4
  Pb 2
  Mo 13
  Mn 6
  B 20
  Si 7
  Na 2
  Ca 2881
  Mg 88
  P 701
  Zn 900

All others zero
Visc @ 100C 62.7, Flash 380, Fuel 0.3, AF 0.0
Water 0.0, Insol 0.2

I bought the oil about a year ago so this is the first identified batch and a VOA posted showed 9 ppm iron and 4 ppm sodium. Wear looks pretty good to me with copper a touch high. Previous oil was Chevron dino with some moly and boron, so this must be where these came from.

This oil could probably go 10,000 miles in this engine and, conversly, ST dino could do 1,700 with no problem. However, I am addicted to this oil thing like most everybody else on this forum. Refill was more GC.

 

[quadrun1]

Love this oil. I have some Delvac 1 that I was intending on using in my turbo car, but I think I'll stick with GC.

 

[Al]

Nice report but with 1700 miles it should be.

 

[Chris B.]

So does GC always have 9ppm iron in it? So you really only have 2ppm iron wear from your engine?

 

[gfcrane]

This particular batch number had a VOA posted by, I think Molekule, on 5/21/03 showing 9 ppm iron. Later batch numbers were less. 4 ppm silicon was also reported. The comment was "rusty pipes."

 

[nick778]

If we assume this batch did indeed have 9ppm of iron to begin with and extrapolate out the numbers to the recent G35 UOAs with M1 and Amsoil 0w-30 with LC, GC appears to be a very good alternative as is. Interesting as GC has no boron or moly and similar other additives but is A3 rated. It does seem the VQ35 does like a heavier 30 weight though in any event.

One other note. I seem to recall that most all the UOAs from GC show a pretty good drop in flashpoint to the 375-380 degree range no matter what the milege. What would account for this?

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris B.:
So does GC always have 9ppm iron in it? So you really only have 2ppm iron wear from your engine?

---

Only the first batches of GC showed 9ppm of iron. As the batches get newer, they show less iron. My VOA showed 3.4ppm of iron and I suspect the most recent batches are now down to 2ppm or less. Keep in mind almost all M1 VOAs show 2ppm of iron too.

 

[Roger]

A remarkable report actually, especially considering further that the engine is still going thru breakin, and 90% city driving to boot! I think you will generate some new interest in this oil with the Maxima crowd.

 

[gfcrane]

I was told by one Maxima guy that this oil is too thick for the engine. Based on what I don't know, but that seemed to be the opinion on that forum.

 

[Roger]

Maybe Gene, but in the end, real world results like yours are what count. Amsoil is a thicker blended oil too, but historically has been one of the better performing choices for the Maxima engines. I think you are right to stay the course with GC.