TriSynthetic 5W-30 in del Sol

[mph]

I just got the following analysis from Blackstone. This is my first analysis, and my first fill of Mobil 1 or any synthetic.

Oil: Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 5w30 API SJ
Miles on oil: 5,825
Make-up oil: none (no consumption)
Filter: Purolator PureOne

Vehicle: 1994 Honda Civic del Sol Si
Engine: D16Z6 1.6L SOHC VTEC (3.5 quart oil capacity)
Miles on unit: 124,000

For some reason Blackstone ignored my specified engine type and assumed that it was a 2.3L. I have emailed the correction to them but have not yet heard back.

Driving pattern: Daily commute of 2.5 miles each way, plus errands, in urban traffic (Pasadena, CA). Approx. weekly drive to my girlfriend's place in the Mojave Desert: 135 miles each way; 35 miles of hard mountain driving (5000-7000 rpm) and 100 miles of highway driving (3500-4000 rpm). She lives on a dirt road in a dusty area. Also a few autocrosses.

I'm using a K&N air filter.

Their report:

code:

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Comments: Lead and silicon both read high in the initial sample from

your Honda. Lead is typically from the bearings and is about 5 times

higher than what we normally see from this type of engine. We guessed

this was a 2.3L, but if that's not correct, please let us know and

we will update our files. Since this engine sees some hard use, we

are not really concerned about the lead. Silicon may show an air

filtration problem, so you might want to check that. The TBN was good

at 5.5, so the oil has plenty of additive left. A low reading would

be 2.0 or less.



This oil Univ. avg.

Aluminum 3 4

Chromium 1 1

Iron 10 9

Copper 5 7

Lead 26 9

Tin 0 1

Molybdenum 17 34

Nickel 0 0

Manganese 0 0

Silver 0 0

Titanium 0 0

Potassium 2 1

Boron 34 64

Silicon 15 13

Sodium 6 7

Calcium 1140 1531

Magnesium 959 780

Phosphorus 701 711

Zinc 823 845

Barium 0 0



This oil Normal

SUS Visc@210F 60.1 55-62

Flashpoint F 395 > 365

Fuel % < 0.5 < 2.0

Antifreeze % 0.0 0

Water % 0.0 < 0.05

Insolubles % 0.2 < 0.6

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Any remarks? Is a silicon of 15 ppm high enough that I should switch back to a paper filter taking into account the 5,825 miles on this oil and the dusty environment)? I didn't mean to leave the oil in so long on my first fill, but didn't get a chance to change it earlier. It seems to have held up well.

I changed the oil when this sample was taken, adding more of the same. After this, I'll probably finish off my remaining 2 quarts of Tri-Synthetic and mix in the first 10w30 SuperSyn that I bought this week.

Thanks!

 

[Al]

K&N air filters seem to present problems with silicon. Iron is not that high nor is silicon really so I'm not really convinced of the connection, but I'm not the expert. With the hared driving and the heat you are encountering, I would expect the 10w30 SS to do a much better job. I would consider putting in a quart of the 15W-50 SS or going to a 40 wt for the sake of the bearings.

 

[Jay]

I'm perplexed by the high lead also. The other wear metals look OK, so why should the lead be high? If the silicon were causing the high lead, then all the wear metals would be high.

I would not take too much stock in this one analysis. If this is your first try with synthetic then the M1 may be cleaning deposits left by previous oils. Do have a close look at your air filtration though. Make sure there are no leaks.

 

[Idrinkmotoroil]

overall I think the numbers are pretty good, even silicon is pretty respectable at 15, not that unusual for any type of filter. not sure why they singled out the silicon, it compares fine with the universal average IMO. I think the oil is doing fine in your application. Try a second test in the near future and see if the lead has dropped. may be just a fluke sample.

 

[TooSlick]

Lead is fairly high, as is silicon ....Since this is a high mileage engine it might be worth giving the Mobil 1, 0w-40 a try next time to get a bit more viscosity in the bearings. I'd swap out the K&N for an OEM paper filter - don't throw it away, just clean it and store it someplace. This way you can compare the silicon levels over the same drain interval. I like to see a maximum silicon level of 20 ppm @ 10k miles on the oil, so this is somewhat high.

I spent four years stationed out at Edwards AFB and another year at the Lockheed Skunkworks in Palmdale ...I know how hot it gets out there in the summertime.

TooSlick

 

[UncleS2]

Mobil 1 0w40: Here in Texas(& we're pretty much in the sticks here), Mobil 1 0w40 is available, in quarts, at AutoZone stores.

 

[The_Oz]

mph,

I'm curious if you're using a K&N cone type filter or a K&N stock replacement? And also, what is the mileage on the K&N?

Thanks,

Oz

P.S. I think the "dusty area" may have played a part in your silicon readings

 

[mph]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice! I'm starting to settle on a plan.

I think I'll take a sample of the current 5w30 TriSyn fill at 2,000-3,000 miles to see if the Pb still reads high, and I'll use the last of my 5w30 to replenish the sump.

Then I'll give the 10w30 SuperSyn a shot, since I already bought some 5 quart jugs at Wal-Mart. I'll switch to it right away if the Pb is still high in the next analysis, or after a normal interval if it's better.

If Pb is still high on the 10w30, I'll give the 0W-40 a shot. That stuff's only available from MB and Porsche dealers or something, right?

I'll also try an OEM air filter to see if that helps with the Si.

 

[mph]

The_Oz,

quote:

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I'm curious if you're using a K&N cone type filter or a K&N stock replacement? And also, what is the mileage on the K&N?

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It's a stock replacement filter with 13,000 miles on it. Has not been cleaned yet.

quote:

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P.S. I think the "dusty area" may have played a part in your silicon readings

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Yeah, I'm sure it does to some extent. Heck, I'm sure some dirt sneaks in while I'm pouring the oil! I also drove through some pretty thick smoke from one of the forest fires, but I'm not sure that smoke contains much silicon. I would think it's more like wood than sand.