Some clarification from Kristen at Blackstone

[Gary Allan]

I was frequently looking at the UOA's and seeing people look at the sample visc vs. the "should be" visc range and saying "hmmm...looks like it sheared to nearly a 20 weight ..when the oil was a 30 weight. However, when I converted to CST from SUS ..the sample was at a solid 30 weight in mid range. Anyway, I asked Kristen if the "should be" values were a composite like the UA. Here was her response: Hi Gary, Yes, you got it. We have standard "should be" values for generic weights of oil, that we apply to new types of oil that we see. If we see that one brand (Amsoil, for example, often falls outside of industry standards in their virgin oil viscosities) doesn't match what most other oils do in viscosity, we'll adjust from there. That said, our 20W viscosity range does seem to be a little high, so I'll adjust it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Sincerely, Kristin Huff FWIW

 

[427Z06]

 

[Pablo]

I ask for just a little proof. Not sure the meaning of THAT emoticon.

 

[jsharp]

Why are they using their own averages anyway? Why not just stick to API specs and call it like it is? Brand or type shouldn't have anyhting to do with it either.

 

[Spector]

Both the reporting of the results and the interpretation of those results are an art, not a science unfortunately. After 10 plus years of doing oil analysis on many models of my cars I take the entire report with a grain (well several grains of salt) wild fluctuations in wear metals etc etc and have yet to lose an engine to failure due to oil related issues. UOA are almost useless (my conclusion now) unless you are looking for coolant leaks, catastrophic types of pending disasters. Other then that, IMO save your money for another oil change. The labs are no better are predicting how long your engine will last ( or your oil for that matter) then you are

 

[Ray H]

Your points are well taken, but, though an individual UOA is of little value in making an absolute detrmination of wear, it's the <i>trend</i> which can be observed over multiple reports that can help us spot problem areas developing.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo: I ask for just a little proof. Not sure the meaning of THAT emoticon.

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Relax Pabs, that's a dog with it's ears perked up...as in it just heard a strange but interesting sound in the distance(BlackStone's comment).

 

[Patman]

It looks like a dog with a mustache!

 

[Turk]

Looks like a happy old Man with a bad Flat top !

 

[LargeCarMan]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:

quote:

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(Amsoil, for example, often falls outside of industry standards in their virgin oil viscosities)

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Really?

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It's good that Amsoil falls outside the industry standard...they make the standards others follow:) Chill Pablo....where is my re-fridge icon:)

 

[jmacmaster]

Is Kristen saying that Blackstone thinks that 20W oils are generally high in viscosity?

 

[Pablo]

quote:

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(Amsoil, for example, often falls outside of industry standards in their virgin oil viscosities)

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Really?

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by tpitcher: Looks like a happy old Man with a bad Flat top !

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Then I used the correct icon.

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:

quote:

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(Amsoil, for example, often falls outside of industry standards in their virgin oil viscosities)

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Really?

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If she had said that Amsoil often falls outside of industry standard in UOA ..then I don't think you would be suprised. That is maybe what she meant. Anyway, the main point of my post was to get everyone to not assume that any given oil sheared to (near) out of spec just because it's sitting on the bottom end of the "should be" span.