Thicker viscocity?

[Leo]

I just noticed on my room mates car that the oil was pretty thick on the dipstick. Hes done approx 11,000km of easy city driving on Shell Helix Ultra (XHVI type) 5W40. Its due for an oil change so out of interest I then dipped the dipstick into a fresh bottle of this oil and it flowed down the dipstick significantly faster than the oil from the sump (when having the sump end pointing vertically). They were both room temp.

Why would it be so thick? It easily seemed like twice as thick! That mean the oil has thickened up and should have been changed earlier? Surely this oil can do 10,000km OCIs no problems?? The KA24DE is not hard on oil. I'm now suggesting Delvac 1 in this engine as its of the same price!

 

[Dr. T]

Leo, tough questions to answer. It was my understanding that although oils shear with use and time, contaminanats in addition to burn-off of volatile components result in thickening. I don't think any of us know the conclusive change in viscosity and pour points that occurs with these changes.

11k km should not be too big of a deal for that oil and I wouldn't worry about it. You failed to mention it's appearance and/or smell eg. dark/black/burnt, etc..

 

[Anthony]

Ive owned 2 ka24,s and I would say they are fairly hard on oil with those timing chains and gears shearing it.

 

[Pablo]

Visual viscosity is very misleading. I agree with the mikemc.

 

[mikemc]

It would really take a used oil analysis to be sure. 11,000 km's or 6,800 miles does not sound excessive for a 5w40 oil.

 

[Leo]

The oil was dark but if let down the dipstick still had a gold colour with no unusual smell. The car has only a very slight amount of light varnish in the motor.

But yeah it was interesting to compare the viscosity of the used and new oil. Sure it wasnt scientific, but the thickness was very apparent! Nevertheless it got a change to Delvac 1 today and will go 15,000kms. I used a quart of left over new Helix Ultra in the mix but it shouldnt upset the Delvac 1 too much should it?