Oil Conditon Sensors -- A good one? Where availab

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Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
The OLM computer alogrims developed by the car companies work good. That sensor, too simple and not as good alone. It relates conductivity to some oil properties.


Actually, the BMW oil sensor system uses both a GM-style OLM algorithm-based, in conjunction with the sensor, which not only measures resistance (reciprocal of conductivity) but also dielectric changes in the oil due to viscosity and contamination changes.
 
Originally Posted By: Flareside302
Waste of money...


Because you know something, like facts? or just a hunch of yours?
 
Originally Posted By: FetchFar
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
The OLM computer alogrims developed by the car companies work good. That sensor, too simple and not as good alone. It relates conductivity to some oil properties.


Actually, the BMW oil sensor system uses both a GM-style OLM algorithm-based, in conjunction with the sensor, which not only measures resistance (reciprocal of conductivity) but also dielectric changes in the oil due to viscosity and contamination changes.


Which is why I said "alone".

I would stick with the GM OLM, they have done much research and will even change it if their data indicates it. They changed it on my daughter's Equinox.
 
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Which is why I said "alone".

I would stick with the GM OLM, they have done much research and will even change it if their data indicates it. They changed it on my daughter's Equinox.


Nobody would use it alone. Its easy to take into account time limits, for example.

Problem with the OLM is that it won't account for fuel dilution nor coolant contamination.
 
Originally Posted By: FetchFar
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Which is why I said "alone".

I would stick with the GM OLM, they have done much research and will even change it if their data indicates it. They changed it on my daughter's Equinox.


Nobody would use it alone. Its easy to take into account time limits, for example.

Problem with the OLM is that it won't account for fuel dilution nor coolant contamination.


I think it does take into account fuel dilution since it provides a penalty for low coolant temperatures, which indicates cold starts. The more cold starts, the shorter the OCI. I don't think any device will take into account coolant contamination except for a UOA.
 
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Originally Posted By: cfromc
I think it does take into account fuel dilution since it provides a penalty for low coolant temperatures, which indicates cold starts. The more cold starts, the shorter the OCI. I don't think any device will take into account coolant contamination except for a UOA.


Actually, an engineering summary I saw said that water or anti-freeze in the oil changes the dielectric (capacitance permittivity) of the oil, easily detected as a change from clean oil. There might be a resistance measurement as well that picks it up, as iron particles, water, antifreeze all lower the Ohms resistance measureably. ... These sensors aren't as bad as some assume they are... thats why I want one! ... Someone with more facts than I please respond, no more conjecture-posters.
 
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If BMW's system is so good, why did they just revise their oil change interval from 15,500 miles to 10,000 miles? One would think you could just go by the OLM, if it was so smart. Why issue a bulletin and bring cars in to have them re-coded?

Ironically, GM's OLM is widely considered to be one of (if not the) best systems on the market.
 
Originally Posted By: cchase
If BMW's system is so good, why did they just revise their oil change interval from 15,500 miles to 10,000 miles? One would think you could just go by the OLM, if it was so smart. Why issue a bulletin and bring cars in to have them re-coded?

Ironically, GM's OLM is widely considered to be one of (if not the) best systems on the market.


I agree with you 100%. It has been "conjectured" that BMW's 15,000 mile OCI was due to their "included" maintenance, they were trying to save $$$ on oil changes on their dime!

GM's OLM uses total RPMs, ambient and engine temperature, and several other parameters to track oil life. They calibrated it with many UOAs.
 
Originally Posted By: cchase
If BMW's system is so good, why did they just revise their oil change interval from 15,500 miles to 10,000 miles? One would think you could just go by the OLM, if it was so smart. Why issue a bulletin and bring cars in to have them re-coded?

Ironically, GM's OLM is widely considered to be one of (if not the) best systems on the market.


Well, first off, it wasn't a 15,500 mile OCI. The system allowed for OCI's UP TO that long, depending on operating conditions, trip length...etc. Typical OLM stuff.

But why did they reduce it? Perhaps because they discovered that they were getting varnish build-up despite the OLM? These things aren't perfect. Similar to how GM just recently chopped the OCI length on their OLM-equipped DI V6 cars.

These things are always evolving. If field testing indicates that the system needs to be tweaked, that's what happens.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Well, first off, it wasn't a 15,500 mile OCI. The system allowed for OCI's UP TO that long, depending on operating conditions, trip length...etc. Typical OLM stuff.

But why did they reduce it? Perhaps because they discovered that they were getting varnish build-up despite the OLM? These things aren't perfect. Similar to how GM just recently chopped the OCI length on their OLM-equipped DI V6 cars.

These things are always evolving. If field testing indicates that the system needs to be tweaked, that's what happens.


Yes, the OLM for HFV6 engines was reduced to shorter OCIs in General Motors Customer Satisfaction Program 10287 which was 3 years ago..... I do like the idea and algorithms behind the GM OLM, and it usually nails it.

... The BMW OLM algorithm is like the GM one, plus the BMW computer also takes into account the dielectric/resistance oil quality sensor, probably a powerful combination.
 
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner

It has been "conjectured" that BMW's 15,000 mile OCI was due to their "included" maintenance, they were trying to save $$$ on oil changes on their dime!

GM's OLM uses total RPMs, ambient and engine temperature, and several other parameters to track oil life. They calibrated it with many UOAs.


You have conjecture perfected!! congrats... The real truth is that BMW's system uses similar algorithms as GM's OLM, and both companies' OLM monitors have been adjusted occasionally. Having an actual sensor directly measuring changes in the oil catches changes when calibrated correctly, chemical change per electrical properties correlation.
 
Originally Posted By: FetchFar
Actually, the BMW oil sensor system uses both a GM-style OLM algorithm-based, in conjunction with the sensor, which not only measures resistance (reciprocal of conductivity) but also dielectric changes in the oil due to viscosity and contamination changes.

But there is far more to lubricant condemnation than that. If one is dissatisfied with the manual or OLM recommendations, one would be best served to get UOAs done. Heck, plenty of UOAs don't cover all the important metrics for lubricant condemnation.
 
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