Mobil 1 0w40 4200 miles

[G-MAN]

This is the UOA from my Olds minivan. Mobil 1 0w40, 4220 miles and 9 months. The same hard winter that my Chrysler went through. Virtually all of this mileage was short trip driving. Example: This van is my mother's "weekly" driver to the beauty parlor. It's 1.2 miles there and back. I'm actually amazed that the insoluables and fuel were so low.

A little history: At 115,000 miles the engine developed the infamous GM 3.4 intake manifold gasket leak which got coolant in the oil. This leak went undetected for about 1000 miles and some visible sludging had occurred. Manifold gasket was replaced and this is the 3rd or 4th oil change since then. There is some very slight residue still visible within the valve cover through the oil fill hole, but for the most part, the engine is once again as clean as it was pre-coolant leak. (To me, this is "proof" that Mobil 1 does in fact clean up a "dirty" engine.)

Question: Could the "trace" potasium in this sample be from the residue still in the engine? My wear numbers look really good, so I think if I still had some sort of coolant leak it would show there. Also, I've not had to add any coolant since the manifold gasket was replaced.

 

[Leo]

Considering the driving conditions, its a pretty **** good report. I cant really say whats up with the Potassium reading, but its too low to be alarming at this stage. Proof you cant go wrong with M1

 

[Al]

Certainly a solid report. I would certainly go the once /year route with this puppy.

 

[buster]

This is a good report. Are you still running the 0w-40 in there?

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by buster:
This is a good report. Are you still running the 0w-40 in there?

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Yes, I put 0w40 back in there when I changed it. I considered trying the German Syntec, but my van seems to really "like" the Mobil 1 0w40, and this UOA confirms it. Below is a pic of the 0w40 on the dipstick with about 300 miles on it.

I'm considering dumping the oil this fall and doing an Auto-RX treatment to rid the engine of what little residue may be left over from the coolant leak.

 

[buster]

Sounds like a plan. Have you considered running a maintenance dose of Rx? I'm running it now. Maybe after you run a full treatment of Rx, dump in a good 3oz to play it safe.

 

[quadrun1]

Fantastic report! Your minivan definitely loves Mobil 1 0W-40.

I like your Mobil 1 oil filler cap! Is that stock?

Jason

 

[mdv]

Did anybody notice the TBN? It was at 4. Why is it that if Amsoil turned in a number this low after only 4300 miles everyone would jump on it? This is one of Mobil 1's better oils (the report does look good) but going one year with this oil on a TBN that is already this low? I would be a little more cautious.

 

[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by mdv:
Did anybody notice the TBN? It was at 4. Why is it that if Amsoil turned in a number this low after only 4300 miles everyone would jump on it? This is one of Mobil 1's better oils (the report does look good) but going one year with this oil on a TBN that is already this low? I would be a little more cautious.

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Blackstone has changed it's test methods though, so a 4 on this report is like a 6 or 7 on the old ones. We'll just have to get used to seeing lower numbers from now on. I don't mind, since the lab I use also uses this lower scale, so at least now I won't have people saying how low my TBN numbers are anymore.

 

[satterfi]

Blackstone should list the ASTM method used for TBN testing.

When I post my next UOA, I'll make a note to advise which method was used.

For the time being, I'll be using AV Lube as my testing lab.

 

[mdv]

quote:

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Originally posted by Patman:

quote:

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Originally posted by mdv:
Did anybody notice the TBN? It was at 4. Why is it that if Amsoil turned in a number this low after only 4300 miles everyone would jump on it? This is one of Mobil 1's better oils (the report does look good) but going one year with this oil on a TBN that is already this low? I would be a little more cautious.

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Blackstone has changed it's test methods though, so a 4 on this report is like a 6 or 7 on the old ones. We'll just have to get used to seeing lower numbers from now on. I don't mind, since the lab I use also uses this lower scale, so at least now I won't have people saying how low my TBN numbers are anymore.

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So just like OAI, just add 2 to compare to the old number system?

 

[sprintman]

is this SS or TS? tks..s

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by sprintman:
is this SS or TS? tks..s

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This was pre-229.5 0w40 SuperSyn. It was from the first batch that my AutoZone got in last year when they first started carrying it.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by quadrun1:
I like your Mobil 1 oil filler cap! Is that stock?

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No, it's a Corvette replacement cap. Standard AC part number. You can order anywhere AC parts are sold. Around $6.00.

 

[quadrun1]

Cool! Actually that won't fit my GM car (SAAB) but I do have the Corvette Mobil 1 rubber/metal-backed "decal" that I bought off eBay.

Now that there is an OEM SAAB/Mobil 1 sticker available I should get one of those too!

Stickers are good for 5 to 10 hp, just ask any ricer!

Jason

 

[jscott]

I too had this issue with our 99 Venture. It had about 4k on the M15W30 when I found the sludge in the valve cover/PCV area. I changed the oil with some cheap 5w30 conventional and drove to dealer for repair. I put M15W30 back in about 300 miles after the repair and I have not seen any buildup since then.

Bottom line, if you still see coolant gel buildup, then something is wrong...

Hopefully, these gaskets will last. The tech told me they had a revised torque spec, but the gaskets were the same.

 

[mrdctaylor]

When did you have your gasket changed? If it was in the last 2-3 months, your mechanic is wrong! They DID change the torque specs (might tighter), but the gasket material changed. It is a plastic gasket with some rubber components. The rubber is much stiffer. I'm not sure exactly when the new gasket came out--around March or April I think.

My manifold gasket went at 71K miles on my 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport. I'm glad it didn't go 2 months sooner or I would have gotten the same old crappy gasket.

David

 

[pscholte]

Note Blackstone's comments on the bearings. Spoke with my neighbor tonight who races Formula Fords. He told me that since he started using Mobil 1 15W50 in his race car, there is ZERO bearing material in his oil filter when he cuts them open. He apparently always had some show up before. He also said he no longer has to run oil coolers on the car...now would Amsoil or Red Line achieve the same results...possibly, but he is sold on the Mobil 1.

[ July 18, 2003, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: pscholte ]

 

[GSV]

quote:

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Stickers are good for 5 to 10 hp, just ask any ricer!

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NO FEAR or FEAR THIS stickers also increase the ft-lbs. of torque on any pickup driven by a 5'3" 120 lb. redneck badass wannabe.