Any big giant red flags with these reports? The iron and lead obviously concern me. Could they be the result of weak oil pressure? The "idiot" light has NEVER come on - flickering or otherwise (the light does work). This engine is known for sludging due to a poor PCV valve design, but all of the PCV hoses are in great shape - firm, not spongy, with just the right amount of give - no telltale oil pump whine at startup, no smoke, minor valve cover gasket seepage (more like a stain than a leak). I'm considering having the oil pan dropped to determine level of sludging if any, and having the pick-up screen cleaned just to be safe.
Engine History
Prior Owner purchased vehicle new and has records for Oil Changes at:
4,805
10,526
15,481
19,800
31,024 (PO states record missing, and was religious about 5k oil changes)
36,372
I purchased this car with 38,655 miles in March 2006, and the following oil changes been done:
39,141 - Auto-RX clean phase, using German Castrol
41,641 - Auto-RX rinse phase, using Shell Rotella-T Synthetic (Hydro Cracked, okay for Auto-RX rinse)
44,387 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose
49,094 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose (prior UOA below)
54,092 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose (current UOA below)
58,937 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose
We did recently have a cold snap for 2-3 weeks prior to sampleing (temps rarely above freezing, often in single digits and teens), but the iron levels were high in the prior sample with more moderate temperatures. Am I being parnoid because of the sludge potential, or are these results something to be concerned with?
Most recent Blackstone Comments:
Auto Rx usually will lower the oil's flashpoint and increase iron a little. Universal averages for
typical wear from the 2.3L Saab are based on a 5100-mile oil run. The high iron in this oil is coming
from steel parts while the increase in lead is from the bearings. Only iron is in the cautionary range.
The TBN was 3.8, lots of active additive. Air and oil filtration (see silicon and insolubles) appeared
normal. Excess wear metals make the oil abrasive and cause extra wear. A short oil run would reduce
metals in the oil. Try a 3K-mile oil change before trying to extend use.
Key: Current Test - Prior Test - [Universal Averages]
Code:
Oil Castrol (GC) - Castrol (GC)
Weight 0W/30 - 0W/30
Makup qts 0.5 - 0.0
Miles on oil 4,845 - 4,998 - [5,100]
Miles on engine 58,937 - 54,092 - [n/a]
Sample Date 03/03/07 - 12/01/06
Aluminum 3 - 3 - [3]
Chromium 1 - 1 - [1]
Iron 55 - 40 - [22]
Copper 6 - 10 - [6]
Lead 10 - 4 - [6]
Tin 0 - 0 - [1]
Molybdenm 3 - 6 - [50]
Nickel 1 - 1 - [1]
Manganese 1 - 1 - [1]
Silver 0 - 0 - [0]
Titanium 0 - 0 - [0]
Potassium 0 - 2 - [1]
Boron 0 - 6 - [35]
Silicon 5 - 11 - [8]
Sodium 15 - 18 - [23]
Calcium 1,588 - 1,778 - [2,075]
Magnesium 425 - 468 - [293]
Phosphorus 796 - 887 - [862]
Zinc 932 - 1084 - [1009]
Barium 0 - 0 - [7]
Sus Visco (210F) 64.7 - 63.4 - s/b 58-65
Flashpoint (F) 355 - 375 - s/b >385
Fuel % 1.5 - 0.5 - s/b
Antifreeze % 0.0 - 0.0 - s/b 0.0
Water % 0.0 - 0.0 - s/b
Insolubles 0.3 - 0.3 - s/b
TBN 3.8 - 3.6 - S/b >1.0
Is it possible that GC just isnt a good match for this engine?
Engine History
Prior Owner purchased vehicle new and has records for Oil Changes at:
4,805
10,526
15,481
19,800
31,024 (PO states record missing, and was religious about 5k oil changes)
36,372
I purchased this car with 38,655 miles in March 2006, and the following oil changes been done:
39,141 - Auto-RX clean phase, using German Castrol
41,641 - Auto-RX rinse phase, using Shell Rotella-T Synthetic (Hydro Cracked, okay for Auto-RX rinse)
44,387 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose
49,094 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose (prior UOA below)
54,092 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose (current UOA below)
58,937 - German Castrol, 2 oz Auto RX Maintenance Dose
We did recently have a cold snap for 2-3 weeks prior to sampleing (temps rarely above freezing, often in single digits and teens), but the iron levels were high in the prior sample with more moderate temperatures. Am I being parnoid because of the sludge potential, or are these results something to be concerned with?
Most recent Blackstone Comments:
Auto Rx usually will lower the oil's flashpoint and increase iron a little. Universal averages for
typical wear from the 2.3L Saab are based on a 5100-mile oil run. The high iron in this oil is coming
from steel parts while the increase in lead is from the bearings. Only iron is in the cautionary range.
The TBN was 3.8, lots of active additive. Air and oil filtration (see silicon and insolubles) appeared
normal. Excess wear metals make the oil abrasive and cause extra wear. A short oil run would reduce
metals in the oil. Try a 3K-mile oil change before trying to extend use.
Key: Current Test - Prior Test - [Universal Averages]
Code:
Oil Castrol (GC) - Castrol (GC)
Weight 0W/30 - 0W/30
Makup qts 0.5 - 0.0
Miles on oil 4,845 - 4,998 - [5,100]
Miles on engine 58,937 - 54,092 - [n/a]
Sample Date 03/03/07 - 12/01/06
Aluminum 3 - 3 - [3]
Chromium 1 - 1 - [1]
Iron 55 - 40 - [22]
Copper 6 - 10 - [6]
Lead 10 - 4 - [6]
Tin 0 - 0 - [1]
Molybdenm 3 - 6 - [50]
Nickel 1 - 1 - [1]
Manganese 1 - 1 - [1]
Silver 0 - 0 - [0]
Titanium 0 - 0 - [0]
Potassium 0 - 2 - [1]
Boron 0 - 6 - [35]
Silicon 5 - 11 - [8]
Sodium 15 - 18 - [23]
Calcium 1,588 - 1,778 - [2,075]
Magnesium 425 - 468 - [293]
Phosphorus 796 - 887 - [862]
Zinc 932 - 1084 - [1009]
Barium 0 - 0 - [7]
Sus Visco (210F) 64.7 - 63.4 - s/b 58-65
Flashpoint (F) 355 - 375 - s/b >385
Fuel % 1.5 - 0.5 - s/b
Antifreeze % 0.0 - 0.0 - s/b 0.0
Water % 0.0 - 0.0 - s/b
Insolubles 0.3 - 0.3 - s/b
TBN 3.8 - 3.6 - S/b >1.0
Is it possible that GC just isnt a good match for this engine?