How much oil has BiTOG saved?

[pitzel]

Before I joined BiTOG, I was one of those who subscribed to the train of thought that the owners manual for my car was slightly aggressive in recommending an oil change interval (7500 miles/1 year, 1992 GM 3.1L V6). I believed this, despite, in my professional capacity (at the time), being responsible for oil analysis for multi-million dollar equipment at an electric utility.

Now, I have adopted a 40k mile/5 year interval, and am approximately 2.5 years into that interval. I estimate that I have saved approximately 20L of oil, and probably 3 oil filters thus far. And the internals are spotless, with no cylinder or valve sludging when I have observed the parts using a boroscope.

Anyone else have similar stories of being brought into the light, from the ignorance they once possessed insofar as the quality and capabilities of modern quality engine oils?

 

[Drivebelt]

Are you talking about a turbine oil setup, with hundreds of gallons (if not thousands) of oil in a sump? The service criteria for an auto engine would be quite different.

What type of oil are you using in your 3.1?

 

[NJC]

OCI extension has been my single biggest benefit from BITOG. Since I actively try to reduce waste in all areas, I was happy to be pushing out the OCI's of my cars.

The Honda has gone from 6K KM to 8K KM and next will be 10K KM.

Volvo is running a one yr 10K KM synthetic blend XD-3 thanks to fellow BITOG enthusiasts.

 

[GoldenRod]

I'm looking at your post and what I perceive to be you as saying, is that you plan on changing your oil in a 1992 GM 3.1V6 after the course of 40,000 miles or 5 years which ever comes first. Please tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Cutehumor]

BITOG help save oil?

I've actually accumulated a huge 115 quart stash of oil that I would not have had if I didn't know about this site.

 

[JoggingGuy]

I do two-thirds less oil changes on the cars because of the better regime I use now, but I do more changing on stuff like transmissions and power steering. So it comes out about the same. But I get much more value and performance out of every lubrication dollar now.

 

[surfstar]

My money is on him having a bypass filter.

 

[pitzel]

quote:

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Originally posted by GoldenRod:
I'm looking at your post and what I perceive to be you as saying, is that you plan on changing your oil in a 1992 GM 3.1V6 after the course of 40,000 miles or 5 years which ever comes first. Please tell me I'm wrong.

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No, you are not wrong. You are absolutely correct. The pre-1995 3.1V6's don't have the coolant problems generally, and I had a used oil analysis done initially to confirm.

 

[pitzel]

quote:

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Originally posted by Drivebelt:
What type of oil are you using in your 3.1?

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Mixture of Mobil 1 5w30, 10w30, and Esso XD-3 0W-30. Topping up with XD-3 0w30 now.

 

[Big John]

quote:

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Originally posted by pitzel:
Before I joined BiTOG, I was one of those who subscribed to the train of thought that the owners manual for my car was slightly aggressive in recommending an oil change interval (7500 miles/1 year, 1992 GM 3.1L V6). I believed this, despite, in my professional capacity (at the time), being responsible for oil analysis for multi-million dollar equipment at an electric utility.

Now, I have adopted a 40k mile/5 year interval, and am approximately 2.5 years into that interval. I estimate that I have saved approximately 20L of oil, and probably 3 oil filters thus far. And the internals are spotless, with no cylinder or valve sludging when I have observed the parts using a boroscope.

Anyone else have similar stories of being brought into the light, from the ignorance they once possessed insofar as the quality and capabilities of modern quality engine oils?

---

What criteria was used in your assertation that 5yr/40k was a suitable oci???? Will you be sampling the oil during the oci????

 

[pitzel]

UOA data on this website in similar engines. The fact that 20k/2.5 years in, I can still see the crosshatch through the oil (almost translucent). Lack of any sludge. Good inspection results when I use a boroscope down the intake and spark plug holes.

No sampling. And I run a FRAM (oversized) filter that I probably will change once through the interval.

 

[Big John]

I understand the useof others data but not to sample the oil and just rely on clarity of oil and what you see with the boroscope is a bit risky???? Not chastising you just wondering why the gamble for lack of a better word???

 

[m2200b]

He's only gambling a 1992 GM. What's the downside
as either rust gets the car or he'd have to get another used GM V6 engine that he liked after inspecting it with a borescope if he's wrong on that Fram filter.

 

[peterr]

I have definitely used more oil than I would have because of BITOG but its probably a point in time thing. I have run Auto-RX cycles on 3 cars with the attendant short fills.

Now for the future, probably will save as based on BITOG. I drive about 7000 kilometres on each of two cars so they probably get an annual oil change with synthetic just before storage.

 

[Blue99]

quote:

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Anyone else have similar stories of being brought into the light, from the ignorance they once possessed insofar as the quality and capabilities of modern quality engine oils?

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Ahh, I don't think anyone following 5K OCI's for conventional or 10-12K OCI's for synthetics, is doing so because of anything approaching ignorance...


Pitzel, please explain to everyone that your theories on motor oil life are based on your experience with electrical insulating oils used in transformers & switching gear.

Electrical insulating oils are typically blended with a high percentage of naphthenic oil base stocks and additives primarily to combat oxidation & moisture, some heat and to prevent hydrogen gassing, which can be explosive. Special handling is involved to keep the product as dry and moisture free as possible.

And yes, these insulating oils are formulated for years of service life.

Contrast to a motor oil that sees severe heat cycles, moisture, fuel loading and contamination from combustion by-products. The oil also sees mechanical shear forces and pumping circulation rates of 5-10 gpm.

All this plus, we are only talking about 5-6 quarts of motor oil in an engine versus the gallons of insulating oil in the typical transformer or switching gear.

So I don't see much of a carry-over of the practices associated with electrical insulating oils to motor oil applications.


BTW, Best-of-Luck with the 40K experiment!