clarification - the previous UOA was on SuperTech 10W30 syn.
NOT happy - Gold GC 4,778mi '99 Nissan Maxima
- Thread starter sky jumper
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I don't think copper at 12 is much to worry about. I would just do another uoa later and forget about it until it becomes an issue. Everthing else looks great!
One UOA does not = being yerineighted (unless you have a GM)
Cu = 12? Repeated, same or worse result? Then change oils. Crap that could easily be from all the extra stuff you throw in your oil and fuel.
Cu = 12? Repeated, same or worse result? Then change oils. Crap that could easily be from all the extra stuff you throw in your oil and fuel.
"Crap that could easily be from all the extra stuff you throw in your oil and fuel. "
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Yep.
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Yep.
I'd agree here.
You really can't get on GC with all the stuff you added.
My best UOA on my Toyota was on PLAIN Pennzoil dino oil. I ran 5k miles with nothing added to see what I would get for a UOA.
And it was the best one yet!
I think (know) that Pablo is on something here!
Take care, Bill
So, we went from "yerin" to crap in four posts? Seriously, I was also a bit suspicious of leftovers or results from the snakeoils, myself.
Hey, you beat me to the post. This is what I was about to say.
I don't think the GC needs any help...I'd stick with just a small # of the FP60 used regularly - something like 2-3 ounces with a full tank of fuel.
The copper is most likely due to some chemical leaching effect from all the fuel additives.
TS
The copper is most likely due to some chemical leaching effect from all the fuel additives.
TS
one more thought - the nissan VQ has moly coated pistons/cylinders. maybe that's where the moly came from?? ouch.
so you guys are generally against fuel/oil adds then? I'm beginning to agree. however, I did run 20z of techron during the previous UOA, and did not see high copper. but this time I immediately followed it with regane (trying to scuff off some carbon). as for LC/FP, there's been numerous UOAs with that stuff that show no elevated wear metals, and I think terry dyson has stated he has not seen it either. ekpolk recently saw incredible results using green GC and a whopping 16oz LC20 on a similar nissan VQ
in any case, I will eliminate the adds and see what happens.
so you guys are generally against fuel/oil adds then? I'm beginning to agree. however, I did run 20z of techron during the previous UOA, and did not see high copper. but this time I immediately followed it with regane (trying to scuff off some carbon). as for LC/FP, there's been numerous UOAs with that stuff that show no elevated wear metals, and I think terry dyson has stated he has not seen it either. ekpolk recently saw incredible results using green GC and a whopping 16oz LC20 on a similar nissan VQ
in any case, I will eliminate the adds and see what happens.
Posted by Bill in Utah:
"I think (know) that Pablo is on something here!"
I read many of his posts and I've come to the same conclusion.
"I think (know) that Pablo is on something here!"
I read many of his posts and I've come to the same conclusion.
Careful. Last thing I smoked was a salmon and the last pill I popped was something for my brain...I mean a vitamin. For my brain.
Really, unless you are purposefully trying to clean something (CC's, valves, piston tops/ring packs, injectors, etc) throwing juices in at random does nothing but clean your wallet out.
Really, unless you are purposefully trying to clean something (CC's, valves, piston tops/ring packs, injectors, etc) throwing juices in at random does nothing but clean your wallet out.
May do more harm then good to throw stuff in if there's no problem prior?
this why i've been putting that stuff in my gas...
piston tops
piston tops
How do they look now?
the same
doesn't the add pack seem a bit weak for GC? really, it doesn't look like the gold VOAs at all.
I would not worry about what your seeing on the top of pistons if the engine is running well.
Try a OCI with nothing added. I'd bet your UOA will be better or at least then you'll know 2 things;
1. if you have a problem with copper (trending)
2. If GC is the problem.
And you'll only know if GC is the problem if you have high copper, try another oil (without the adds) and then see where your at.
Doesn't Nissan state in their manual to use conventional oils??
Sure looked better with the Group III (is that not what ST Syn is?)...
But I would wait 5k before doing another UOA. 12ppm is not a "get on it right away" number.
Take care, Bill
not quite ready to point the finger at Gold GC, but this is not what I wanted to see...
Eninge: '99 Nissan VQ30 3.0L V6 81k total miles
Oil: Gold GC 0W30 4778 miles
Filter: M1 110
Driving: mixed city/hwy.
Other notable items:
- Auto-Rx cycle performed since previous UOA
- rinse phase was Havoline
- 5oz LC20 added to this OCI at initial fill
- 2x 1oz LC20 added along the way
- FP60 used every tank
- 20oz Techron used at 4k mi
- 12oz regane used at 4.4k mi
I think the moly content must be leftover from the havoline rinse oil??
I don't think the copper is from bearings, or I'd see high lead too. I have no idea what it is from.
other than the copper, I do like what I see. anybody have experience with these engines to know where this copper migh be coming from?
I'm certainly not waiting 5k miles to check it again....
Eninge: '99 Nissan VQ30 3.0L V6 81k total miles
Oil: Gold GC 0W30 4778 miles
Filter: M1 110
Driving: mixed city/hwy.
Other notable items:
- Auto-Rx cycle performed since previous UOA
- rinse phase was Havoline
- 5oz LC20 added to this OCI at initial fill
- 2x 1oz LC20 added along the way
- FP60 used every tank
- 20oz Techron used at 4k mi
- 12oz regane used at 4.4k mi
I think the moly content must be leftover from the havoline rinse oil??
I don't think the copper is from bearings, or I'd see high lead too. I have no idea what it is from.
other than the copper, I do like what I see. anybody have experience with these engines to know where this copper migh be coming from?
I'm certainly not waiting 5k miles to check it again....
That UOA doesn't look bad at all. The copper could be from the additive usage. Personally, I would run another interval with GC only and test again in 5000 miles. Then you'll have a lot more info to make a sound decision with. Concerning the moly, I think you're right. VQ's do have moly coated internals. I wonder what the effect of harsh fuel cleaners would be on them?
I have a '97 Maxima (we had previously discussed the carbon on our piston tops in one of your other posts). My piston tops look the same. I've stopped trying to clean mine, as I'm now under the impression it's not a carbon buildup, more like a discoloration.
Anyways, how did you like the GC while it was in? I found that my engine was much smoother when I ran it. Even my wife commented on it. And ekpolk had an outstanding UOA in his VQ35 with it. I'm currently doing an AutoRx cleaning, and am now about 100 miles away from starting the rinse phase. After that, I'm going back to GC. The AutoRx is being run to try to stop my rear valve cover from seeping a little. Plus at 110,000 miles, it could probably use a good cleaning. I'll get a UOA after I run one OCI of GC through for 5000 miles or so. That way I'll be sure everything from the AutoRx has been flushed out.
Looking back at your UOA, the viscosity was real good, but the flashpoint seems a little low. Maybe I just assume GC would have a higher. Someone with more expertise on GC may know more about if the flashpoint was normal or not.
Dave
I have a '97 Maxima (we had previously discussed the carbon on our piston tops in one of your other posts). My piston tops look the same. I've stopped trying to clean mine, as I'm now under the impression it's not a carbon buildup, more like a discoloration.
Anyways, how did you like the GC while it was in? I found that my engine was much smoother when I ran it. Even my wife commented on it. And ekpolk had an outstanding UOA in his VQ35 with it. I'm currently doing an AutoRx cleaning, and am now about 100 miles away from starting the rinse phase. After that, I'm going back to GC. The AutoRx is being run to try to stop my rear valve cover from seeping a little. Plus at 110,000 miles, it could probably use a good cleaning. I'll get a UOA after I run one OCI of GC through for 5000 miles or so. That way I'll be sure everything from the AutoRx has been flushed out.
Looking back at your UOA, the viscosity was real good, but the flashpoint seems a little low. Maybe I just assume GC would have a higher. Someone with more expertise on GC may know more about if the flashpoint was normal or not.
Dave
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