Triple Lab Showdown - HPL Premium Plus PCMO 0W-30

[2.7ecoboostFordBronco]

These are unused/virgin analyses of High Performance Lubricants Premium Plus Passenger Car Motor Oil 0W-30 purchased January 2025. Just for fun, I sent 3 labs (Blackstone, Oil Analyzers, SpeeDiagnostix) samples from the middle part of the same bottle of this unused oil.

Oil Analyzers/Horizon was somehow confused about what I sent them despite me indicating in my submission that it was an unused/baseline sample of HPL PP PCMO 0W-30; somehow they thought it was still the M1 AFE 0W-30 I sent before. Either way, their flagging of the result shouldn't effect the values I guess, although I clarified what the sample was via email and asked them to clean up the report for me, still waiting on that. Blackstone was also confused by what they detected as high Aluminum so they ran it twice with new comments. Speediagnostix detected this metal as Tin and correctly stated in their comments that it was from the Molybdenum additives.

Not sure what to make of all this, other than to reinforce what I've learned on BITOG: the input parts (additives, viscosity, oxidation, etc) of these analyses seem to be all over the place but the wear metals are *usually* pretty consistent, although there is an interesting Tn/Al confusion here.

 

[thescreensavers]

What does HPL say for the moly level on this oil? Seems that's where one lab is much higher.

 

[jetman]

Thanks for trying, I don't know what to make of it either.
and
its disappointing

 

[kschachn]

Without knowing the reproducibility and repeatability of the various ASTM tests it’s hard to make conclusions. Reproducability may not be that great especially for a test involving viscosity.

As for the spectrographic results, those should be highly reproducible. But, they are also highly dependent upon what amounts to an involved calibration routine. You might be seeing some sloppy practices at the lab.

 

[2.7ecoboostFordBronco]

What does HPL say for the moly level on this oil? Seems that's where one lab is much higher.

I'm not sure they publish that but most of the other HPL analyses I've seen indicate something in the 800-1000 ppm range for Moly, granted that's for other grades and types of HPL. I'm sure @High Performance Lubricants could chime in if they want to but I would bear no grudge if they want to keep their sauce secret.

 

[Patman]

Good grief, Blackstone really needs to get their act together

 

[The Critic]

Next time someone obsesses over a few ppm in their UOA, I’m going to point them to this thread.

 

[fantastic]

BS only one that measures Boron & SD doubling the Molybdenum. Thanks for putting it in an easy to read spreadsheet. Reminder that sticking to one lab is a wise decision.

 

[fantastic]

Next time someone obsesses over a few ppm in their UOA, I’m going to point them to this thread.

IMO only if they're comparing from two different labs or more.

 

[Patman]

BS only one that measures Boron & SD doubling the Molybdenum. Thanks for putting it in an easy to read spreadsheet. Reminder that sticking to one lab is a wise decision.

Also a reminder that using one of those labs in particular is probably not a good decision

 

[spasm3]

Would be interesting to do the same test with used oil, especially with some fuel dilution present. Also see what TBN results you get from all 3 with the same batch of used oil.

 

[pbm]

This just reinforces why I'd rather spend the money on an oil change than on an 'oil analysis'.

 

[kschachn]

BS only one that measures Boron & SD doubling the Molybdenum. Thanks for putting it in an easy to read spreadsheet. Reminder that sticking to one lab is a wise decision.

That way you will at least have consistently inconsistent results.

 

[burbguy82]

Also a reminder that using one of those labs in particular is probably not a good decision

Be more specific please

 

[burbguy82]

Am I wrong in thinking that you should not be including the brand of oil being sent, as it is irrelevant? Maybe starting viscosity, and hours\miles used....and that is it. Giving the least info possible to the tester seems to me would yield the most accurate results.?

 

[Pablo]

So two labs detect Al, close enough levels and one lab = zero. That speaks everything we should know about oil comparos using 30 buck chuck sample send ins.

Guys - you cannot use virgin oil OR used oil analysis to justify arguing one oil better than another!

 

[Pablo]

Also a reminder that using one of those labs in particular is probably not a good decision

This just reinforces why I'd rather spend the money on an oil change than on an 'oil analysis'.

Well you can still do UOA's to see the engine condition or if something going south WITH THE ENGINE. This has always been the case for UOAs.

 

[Patman]

Be more specific please

I think you know what lab that I’m not fond of here…

 

[BobsArmory]

interesting

 

[buster]

So two labs detect Al, close enough levels and one lab = zero. That speaks everything we should know about oil comparos using 30 buck chuck sample send ins.

Guys - you cannot use virgin oil analysis to justify arguing one oil better than another!

Yeah that Al reading is bizarre. I prefer OAI over the other two labs mentioned. B/S Labs is my least favorite.