Never done a UOA, what will I find?

[gizzsdad]

As stated, I have never done this, and find this entire site useful AND addictive.

Here's my question: I have run M1 5W-30 in my wife's 97 Nissan pickup ever since changing out the factory fill. Her driving is incredibly hard on oil, let alone exhaust systems. She starts it up in the morning, drives a mile and a half through town to work then shuts it off, then back home for lunch, back to work and back home at night, all the way through Iowa winters and summers. About twice a week the truck will be driven at highway speed for about 10 miles to the 'city' and back.

I change her oil every 3 mo's. (about 2K miles) and it 'looks' MUCH worse coming out (VERY black) at 2K than mine does at 5K. Truck now has about 56K on it.

I realize it's pure speculation (rarely in short supply here), but if I do a UOA, what will I find? Would anybody suspect sludge? Just curious as to everyone's thoughts.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

You'll likely see an above-average level of fuel contamination in the oil.

The real question (and one that the UOA will answer) is whether your bearings are taking a beating as a result.

 

[Doug]

Every 2k miles and it's that dirty? Wow. Seems like you have done a good job changing the oil.

 

[medic]

I would bet that you'll find out that you are changing your oil way too soon. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if you would be able to double your OCI.

 

[haley10]

The point of a uoa for me is to check engine health. Assuming everything is in good shape and filtration is good...I think like Medic said, it will look good and still show high TBN. I would not expect any sludge.