Molecules in motor oil

[Falcon_LS]

Apologies if this sounds like a stupid question, but I've only recently picked up an interest in the actual formation of different oils and am really enjoying all the reading I do here.

That said, when I look at motor oil in its bottle, on the dipstick or after it has drained into the pan, I notice lots of molecules. From what I've read on oil shearing, there's a lot of mentioning of viscosity-controlling molecules, or viscosity index improvers. Are these the molecules I'm seeing?

Also, I understand these molecules can be permanently "torn", causing the oil to lose its viscosity and ability to maintain hot CST. Would it be safe to say that if one cannot see these molecules, then the oil is history? Thank you.

 

[jldcol]

If you can actually see molecules, I would like to know how many tons of carrots you eat a day, or how many feet thick your glasses are. If you see things in drained oil they are perhaps wear metal flakes, but you said you saw them also in the new oil in the bottle, so I an unsure of what you mean by molecules.

 

[Falcon_LS]

By "molecules", I mean little circular "blobs" in the oil. Wasn't sure what the best "word" would be to describe them.

 

[PT1]

I see molecules too........

 

[Ben99GT]

Kryptonian heritage, perhaps?

 

[jldcol]

In the new oil from bottle likely globules (blobs) of coagulated additives, or wax seeds from exposure to very cold temps. Both are unlikely especially the last one in your case so I am still unsure. In the used oil clumps of sludge maybe what you are seeing.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: jldcol
In the used oil clumps of sludge maybe what you are seeing.


That explains it.

The one from the bottle is probably just air bubbles.

 

[jldcol]

You betcha.

 

[Falcon_LS]

This is what I was talking about:

Source

 

[Pablo]

Foam is not a good thing.

What are we looking at here?

 

[jldcol]

Those are entrained air bubbles.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Now it all makes sense. Thank you!

 

[PT1]

Is your engine oil overfilled? You are getting aeration which is not good.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I always keep the oil level within spec, never exceeding the max mark on the dipstick. The picture was just an example of what I was trying to refer to. What I see on the dipstick is just 1 or 2 of those, not as much as in the picture.

 

[hate2work]

Aeration is not a good thing for motor oil. Does your engine vibrate more than it should?

You should be afraid....very afraid

 

[Falcon_LS]

Actually I did have a vibration issue that were solved very recently. It was due to a vacuum leak, from a slightly torn brake booster hose. Could that have anything to do with it? I haven't changed my oil since it was replaced last week...I'm due for an oil change in approximately 1,000 miles.

 

[PT1]

What engine? What oil?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 (12-valve), using BP Visco 2000 20W-50.

 

[PT1]

What does the manufacturer specify? What filter are you using? Does the filter have silicone impregnated media or a silicone anti drain back valve?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Manufacturer's recommendation is 20W-50, although recently this has been changed to 15w40. I'm using a WIX 51334 filter, with a silicone ADB valve.