2006 Audi A4, 3.2L V6 FSI, 6 speed manual transmission. 50/50 city/highway driving. 15 mile commute to/from work each way, with stop and go traffic in the afternoon.
Oil changes with Castrol Syntec 5w-40 were performed at 5K, 10K, 15K, 25K, 30K, 35K, and 40K. Switched to M1 0w-40 at 48K, and used M1 again at 55K.
The valve cover gaskets recently started leaking, so 1/2 quart of make up oil was added at 59K and another 1/2 quart was added at 59.7K.
This oil sample was obtained during the latest oil change at 60K on 2/28. Valve cover gaskets were fixed at this time also.
Any thought/comments/recommendations are welcome. Would Redline, Motul, Total, LiquiMoly, Rotella T6, or Pennzoil Ultra be better?
Blackstone Results:
CHARLES: While a leaking valve cover isn't ideal, it doesn't seem to be affecting wear. All metals read at
or better than universal averages (based on 5,600 miles), which is a good sign this engine is wearing
normally. The oil was in good shape physically, showing no traces of fuel or coolant, and the viscosity read
normally for 0W/40. With a TBN reading of 3.1, there was plenty of active additive left in the oil. When this
number gets below 1.0, most of the additive has been exhausted. At 60,000 miles this engine looks good in
analysis.
Code:
Measured (Universal Averages)
ALUMINUM 6 (6)
CHROMIUM 1 (1)
IRON 35 (39)
COPPER 5 (5)
LEAD 0 (1)
TIN 0 (1)
MOLYBDENUM 93 (20)
NICKEL 0 (1)
MANGANESE 1 (4)
SILVER 0 (0)
TITANIUM 0 (0)
POTASSIUM 0 (1)
BORON 146 (28)
SILICON 10 (11)
SODIUM 7 (15)
CALCIUM 3162 (1666)
MAGNESIUM 59 (600)
PHOSPHORUS 920 (785)
ZINC 1195 (959)
BARIUM 0 (0)
Measured (Values Should Be)
SUS Viscosity @ 210°F: 66.4 (65 - 76)
cSt Viscosity @ 100°C: 11.99 (11.6 - 14.8)
Flashpoint in °F: 380 (>375)
Fuel %:
Antifreeze %: 0.0 (0)
Water %: 0.0 (
Insolubles %: 0.4 (
TBN: 3.1
Oil changes with Castrol Syntec 5w-40 were performed at 5K, 10K, 15K, 25K, 30K, 35K, and 40K. Switched to M1 0w-40 at 48K, and used M1 again at 55K.
The valve cover gaskets recently started leaking, so 1/2 quart of make up oil was added at 59K and another 1/2 quart was added at 59.7K.
This oil sample was obtained during the latest oil change at 60K on 2/28. Valve cover gaskets were fixed at this time also.
Any thought/comments/recommendations are welcome. Would Redline, Motul, Total, LiquiMoly, Rotella T6, or Pennzoil Ultra be better?
Blackstone Results:
CHARLES: While a leaking valve cover isn't ideal, it doesn't seem to be affecting wear. All metals read at
or better than universal averages (based on 5,600 miles), which is a good sign this engine is wearing
normally. The oil was in good shape physically, showing no traces of fuel or coolant, and the viscosity read
normally for 0W/40. With a TBN reading of 3.1, there was plenty of active additive left in the oil. When this
number gets below 1.0, most of the additive has been exhausted. At 60,000 miles this engine looks good in
analysis.
Code:
Measured (Universal Averages)
ALUMINUM 6 (6)
CHROMIUM 1 (1)
IRON 35 (39)
COPPER 5 (5)
LEAD 0 (1)
TIN 0 (1)
MOLYBDENUM 93 (20)
NICKEL 0 (1)
MANGANESE 1 (4)
SILVER 0 (0)
TITANIUM 0 (0)
POTASSIUM 0 (1)
BORON 146 (28)
SILICON 10 (11)
SODIUM 7 (15)
CALCIUM 3162 (1666)
MAGNESIUM 59 (600)
PHOSPHORUS 920 (785)
ZINC 1195 (959)
BARIUM 0 (0)
Measured (Values Should Be)
SUS Viscosity @ 210°F: 66.4 (65 - 76)
cSt Viscosity @ 100°C: 11.99 (11.6 - 14.8)
Flashpoint in °F: 380 (>375)
Fuel %:
Antifreeze %: 0.0 (0)
Water %: 0.0 (
Insolubles %: 0.4 (
TBN: 3.1
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