Mobil 1 5W30 5000 mi OCI 2006 Grand Prix GXP

[dan_erickson]

Hi
I have been using Mobil 1 in my Grand Prix and I am worried about the high level of sodium in my oil. I dont know if this is a trend with Mobil 1 or the engine in my car but I have no noticeable coolant in my oil and the level in the radiator is not dropping. I have switched to Pennzoil Platinum and hope to see the sodium drop. What do you all think?

 

[chubbs1]

Very peculiar about the sodium. Do you use any particular oil or gasoline additives? The oil looks to be in good physical shape according to the #'s. Interesting.

 

[Diesel1]

Hmm were you drinking gator juice while you took the sample? "Electralytes it's what engines crave!" sorry i had to refrence from idiocracy! Any who thanks bud for making a great post of a pontiac!

 

[jona20062000]

Speechless...3 consecutive ??? on the coolant/antifreeze level from B.S.
What's up with that?
Have you asked them for a definitive result since you've paid for it?

 

[dan_erickson]

I asked them what I should do and why would sodium be high and Blackstone told me to get my cooling system pressure checked and if I am not losing any coolant then to not worry about the sodium. Then today I called the dealer and told them the situation and they have no idea what I am talking about.

I looked at some other oil reports on the site and one being a Trailblazer SS, that also has LS engine, and using Mobil 1 with high sodium followed by another report on the same vehicle with PP and that report showed average sodium.

I do not use oil or fuel additives either. During the last OCI the valve cover was removed and replaced under warranty but that should not make a difference.

 

[cchase]

Mobil 1 does not have sodium. The non-synthetic Mobil products do.

Dexcool would show potassium/sodium markers, not just sodium.

 

[addyguy]

It's not coolant - potassium is next to nothing in all reports.

Mobil uses sodium as a detergent in their conventional oils, they may be using it in M1 now, too.

 

[btanchors]

Wow - this one has me stumped. I agree with cchase - I have never seen sodium in Mobil's synthetics I also agree with addyguy - I doubt it's coolant.

Are you using an unusual brand of gasoline? Do you always get your gas from the same station? I am assuming you're not using any additives in the gas or oil...

 

[dan_erickson]

No oil or fuel additives, I get gas at the same two Shell stations and always use 93. Now either Mobil has changed their formuals and added sodium or the dealer is not using Mobil 1 in my car. These oil reports are from when the dealer changed my oil because my car was under a oil consumption test. I had to have the oil changed at the dealer and I had to bring the car back every 1,000 miles or so for them to check the oil level and top off my oil. The dealer uses Mobil oils and I asked for Mobil 1 and was charged for Mobil 1 but there is really not a positive way to tell if they put Mobil 1 in my car. Also when the tech would top off my oil he could have just used regular Mobil to top it off.

 

[btanchors]

I've done my fair share of UOAs on Mobil 1 - your results do resemble Mobil 1 with the exception of the Sodium. I wonder if you have correctly guessed the situation - they are topping it off with regular Mobil. If I recall, regular Mobil has Sodium levels in the ~300ppm range, so if they added a quart, this would be about right. However, the fact that your Sodium levels have been elevated for the past three consecutive UOAs still seems strange - could they have topped it off during all three intervals? That would seem unlikely.

 

[dan_erickson]

Yes this oil consumption test where the dealer has to top off the oil have been going on for all three intervals.

 

[ottotheclown]

Please get your oil changed at a place where you can bring your own oil, or do it yourself. I believe this will give you the answer. Remember we call them stealers and their motto is you have a moral obligation to take money from suckers..

Originally Posted By: dan_erickson
No oil or fuel additives, I get gas at the same two Shell stations and always use 93. Now either Mobil has changed their formuals and added sodium or the dealer is not using Mobil 1 in my car. These oil reports are from when the dealer changed my oil because my car was under a oil consumption test. I had to have the oil changed at the dealer and I had to bring the car back every 1,000 miles or so for them to check the oil level and top off my oil. The dealer uses Mobil oils and I asked for Mobil 1 and was charged for Mobil 1 but there is really not a positive way to tell if they put Mobil 1 in my car. Also when the tech would top off my oil he could have just used regular Mobil to top it off.

 

[dan_erickson]

I changed the oil myself this last time a week ago with PP.... Hopefully the sodium comes back normal.

 

[steve20]

Hey Dan
What did they say about oil use-I've never heard of a 5.3 use that much oil. Wife's 5.3 in the Tahoe may go through 1/2 qt in 5K-and she's not easy on it either-cold engine and watch out-here we go!!


Steve