Redline 10W30 2003 Nissan Sentra Spec-V 5400mi

[vvolcano]

Some background: This is my first oil analysis. I'm beginning these as I'm running my car on track every couple of months, as well as running at autocrosses every now and then. I wanted to make sure my engine was in OK condition, and that I was changing the oil at a good interval (as well as using a good oil in the first place).

I bought the car with 77k on it, and I ran non-synthetic until I put the RL in. When I changed to RL, I ran a can of BG Quick Clean for about 15-20 minutes. Drained the old oil, put the RL in, done. I failed to mention this to Blackstone, but I don't know if it makes any difference in the results.

This oil was run with Nissan OEM oil & air filters.

In addition to being tracked, the car is daily driven. I do almost 90% city driving, and frequently that consists of very short trips (my drive to work is a mere 5 miles). I drive the car moderately, approaching higher RPM maybe 2 or 3 times a week at most.

The only engine "issue" I experience is a good amount of piston slap in the morning when the engine is cold. I always give it 45-60 seconds to warm up a little, and keep it revved very low until it warms up.

I'd be really interested to hear everyone's opinion on the analysis! It's a bit disconcerting seeing wear a good bit higher than average, but I'm not really sure how to interpret the results. Thanks!!

 

[buster]

"piston scuffing"..well I would run Redline again to establish some trend and take it from there.

I don't know the residual BG could have had any impact or not. Maybe Terry would know.

 

[rg200amp]

When first useing any new oil, WAY MORE SO with a ester based oil like Redline, you will see ALOT of wear particals for the first 2-3 OCI. Let the esters do there light cleaning and do a UOA in 3 more OCI. You will see wear go WAY down.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
When first useing any new oil, WAY MORE SO with a ester based oil like Redline, you will see ALOT of wear particals for the first 2-3 OCI. Let the esters do there light cleaning and do a UOA in 3 more OCI. You will see wear go WAY down.


This is factually incorrect.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
When first useing any new oil, WAY MORE SO with a ester based oil like Redline, you will see ALOT of wear particals for the first 2-3 OCI. Let the esters do there light cleaning and do a UOA in 3 more OCI. You will see wear go WAY down.


This is factually incorrect.


Then why do Redline UOAs have hige wear when its the first couple runs. But a steady use of it show low wear.

Most UOAs when they first start useing a new synthetic oil the UOA shows more wear. Atleast all the ones I have seen.

Whats your take?

 

[Pablo]

First of all, I will say that yes anecdotal observation does seem to point to some relatively elevated (soft) metals with first use of some synthetic oils. Most particularly Cu.

I don't know about the "WAY MORE SO" part.

I also have seen no solid evidence these elevated metals are " wear particals (sic)" (particles). In fact, I could argue the opposite. UOA's measure dissolved metals, not wear particulate. Some esters will form chelates with metals and cause an artificially (or more accurate!) UOA. The numbers may indeed come down slightly, I agree as clean up happens, but may not ever be as low as some other oils.

NOW - as for this UOA. I suspect the Pb and Fe and the Sn are from hard driving and perhaps the BG. Indeed another run or two are in order.

 

[FZ1]

You are,quite simply, driving it too hard. 'Course it is your money.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
First of all, I will say that yes anecdotal observation does seem to point to some relatively elevated (soft) metals with first use of some synthetic oils. Most particularly Cu.

I don't know about the "WAY MORE SO" part.

I also have seen no solid evidence these elevated metals are " wear particals (sic)" (particles). In fact, I could argue the opposite. UOA's measure dissolved metals, not wear particulate. Some esters will form chelates with metals and cause an artificially (or more accurate!) UOA. The numbers may indeed come down slightly, I agree as clean up happens, but may not ever be as low as some other oils.


NOW - as for this UOA. I suspect the Pb and Fe and the Sn are from hard driving and perhaps the BG. Indeed another run or two are in order.


Yea, I was not saying the oil causes more wear, but just a UOA shows more wear when first changed. And no it is not "WAY MORE" but I just wanted to get the point across.

I will still bet money that in 3 more OCI, wear shown on a UOA would be much less.

 

[Steve S]

Usually the first oil change is a waste to do a UOA.

 

[vvolcano]

I'll definitely report back when I do the 2nd and 3rd UOA-- thank you for the comments!

 

[ZZman]

Well if you are sure you have some piston slap that is probably part of your wear numbers issue.

 

[ZGRider]

vvolcano:
Don't mean to sound negative, but isn't running Red Line in a Nissan Sentra overkill? I mean, are you racing someone on the way to work? That is pretty expensive, ultra-high quality oil to be used in a high mileage daily driver? What is your reasoning? Especially in light of your low OCIs.

 

[pzev]

Quote:

Some background: This is my first oil analysis. I'm beginning these as I'm running my car on track every couple of months, as well as running at autocrosses every now and then. I wanted to make sure my engine was in OK condition, and that I was changing the oil at a good interval (as well as using a good oil in the first place).

I bought the car with 77k on it, and I ran non-synthetic until I put the RL in. When I changed to RL, I ran a can of BG Quick Clean for about 15-20 minutes. Drained the old oil, put the RL in, done. I failed to mention this to Blackstone, but I don't know if it makes any difference in the results.

This oil was run with Nissan OEM oil & air filters.

In addition to being tracked, the car is daily driven. I do almost 90% city driving, and frequently that consists of very short trips (my drive to work is a mere 5 miles). I drive the car moderately, approaching higher RPM maybe 2 or 3 times a week at most.

The only engine "issue" I experience is a good amount of piston slap in the morning when the engine is cold. I always give it 45-60 seconds to warm up a little, and keep it revved very low until it warms up...




I have highlighted three things of importance. first off, to the poster above me....refer to bolded text 1 and 3. The car spends time on a race track, hence why he is running redline. Additionally, a Spec-V is not just a Sentra....but a highly tuned sentra putting out a good deal more horsepower than the standard unit.

Secondly, I feel the previous BG run is most likely the cause of the elevated metals (along with the track duty). Seems there is some residual crud left in the engine....and remember, some of that BG is still there along with the old oil (never get all of it during a change). That combined with the track duty is a good reason why you would have elevated wear.

Can't know for sure until you establish a higher baseline.

 

[bulwnkl]

I predict that once all the BG is finally flushed out (and thus once all the destruction it causes to the anti-wear chemistry of any oil is gone) and Red Line has a chance to lay down its anti-wear chemistry unmolested, your wear metals will drop noticeably. Now, maybe I'm full of [censored] and it's purely the infrequent track duty, but I really don't think so.