Understanding an UOA

[Russell]

I just had a Blackstone oil analysis completed on my 95 525I with 104,000 or so miles, about 3,600 miles on Mobil 1 0w40.

While test was positive there were a couple concerns on my part. Perhaps some of my concerns are unique to BMWS.

Lead was a 23, which are high, universal averages should be around seven. Is this bearing wear? Other bearing metals were fine.

Boron was a 127 reading and universal averages were about 60. There is no antifreeze in the oil. Could this be the high detergent level of the Mobil 1?

Fuel in the oil was a little high at about 1 percent. The test indicated that I should only be concerned if over 2 percent. Could my E.A.T computer chip be causing my engine to run rich? Alternatively, is it simple like my charcoal canister never been replaced in 10 years?

The TBN was 6.3. What does that really mean? While it means I have life left in the oil. How much life is left? Higher number is better as it understand it.

TIA

 

[Al]

Why don't you post it here:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3;DaysPrune=45

1% will cause a bit more wear, but it's not out of control. 2% is time to get serious. TBN at 6.3 is great You would normally have thousands of miles left based on that value..if you have gone say over 3000 miles.. Boron is what it is..not a problem.

 

[Gary Allan]

Please post the results in the used oil analysis section. Right now ..no one knows all the little nasties and you'll just have to dribble all that data a little at a time.

Your TBN is great. We don't know how fast TBN degrades ..if it's linear or on a decrimental inversely proportional rate or what (at least I don't know if it does).

Lead of this level ..over a 3k OCI would bother me.

 

[KJA426]

There are many on this board that know more than I on this subject but I can tell you a few things. I would think that the lead is some bearing wear. The boron is an additive in the oil. The tbn is good and I think it is the oil's ability to counter the acidic by-products of combustion and sulfur inside your engine.

 

[Russell]

Is there an easy way to extract data from the test result PDF? I do not want to keey in all teh data.

Thanks

 

[darryld13]

Russell, your best bet is to get in touch with Terry Dyson for an analysis. He is the resident professional expert on the board and does analysis interpretation for a living. Many of us have used his services in conjunction with Blackstone labs analysis and have been extremely happy with him. Blackstone analysis + Terry's services cost only $35.

Good luck!

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

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Is there an easy way to extract data from the test result PDF?

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No ..and all the king horses and all the kings men can't get that PDF dog to hunt.

Find another UOA that someone typed in ...tape and paste it to your post. Delete their numbers ..and plug in yours.

Feed my Seymor! Feed me!! (post your data!!)

You've already typed about as much in keystrokes.

 

[Russell]

Gary I did as you said. I also saved it inmy word processor for future results.

 

[Palut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Russell:
Is there an easy way to extract data from the test result PDF? I do not want to keey in all teh data.

Thanks

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I used Adobe Photoshop Elements (shareware version) to convert the file from a .pdf to a .jpeg. I just opened the .pdf, and selected "save as" and chose to save as .jpeg. I then hosted it on tinypic.com. Tinypic will resize a picture if its too big, and it resized my used oil analysis to a perfect size for BITOG. Make sure to airbrush out your name and address before you post though. Good luck!

 

[Stinky Peterson]

quote:

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Originally posted by Russell:
I just had a Blackstone oil analysis completed on my 95 525I with 104,000 or so miles, about 3,600 miles on Mobil 1 0w40.

While test was positive there were a couple concerns on my part. Perhaps some of my concerns are unique to BMWS.

Lead was a 23, which are high, universal averages should be around seven. Is this bearing wear? Other bearing metals were fine.

Boron was a 127 reading and universal averages were about 60. There is no antifreeze in the oil. Could this be the high detergent level of the Mobil 1?

Fuel in the oil was a little high at about 1 percent. The test indicated that I should only be concerned if over 2 percent. Could my E.A.T computer chip be causing my engine to run rich? Alternatively, is it simple like my charcoal canister never been replaced in 10 years?

The TBN was 6.3. What does that really mean? While it means I have life left in the oil. How much life is left? Higher number is better as it understand it.

TIA

---

Russell

Lead can indicate bearing wear but when it does it is usually accompanied by elevated tin and aluminum. I would not get excited about it yet, but what you might want to do is change oil, run it a few minutes and then take another sample to establish a base line. Then take another sample 1-2000 miles down the road. Changes that occur in the oil can affect solubility of lead so it does not always indicate wear.

I would not be concerned about 1% fuel, without knowing the method used to measure it. It it hard to measure accurately in an inexpensive oil analysis. For Cat diesels 3% is considered acceptable.

 

[Russell]

Stinky,
Thanks. This is first analysis, I just want to be concerned about the correct things.