Oil Analysis Reports

Following the example of JonM, I decided to have Blackstone Labs analyze the oil when I recently had it changed.

Just to clarify the report:

* the engine had 16,094 miles and the oil had only been used for 7,181 miles (I double the frequency of oil change).

* type of use: I would say rather mild/medium 85% of time, one track day (4 X 20'), engine always warm when spirited driving

* As you will see, overall everything looks ok, with the exception of the lead value. I remember having taken gas after my track day at Lime Rock Park but that was only 2.240 gallons of 112 and I did not use it during the track session, only on my way home. I still believe that this is the root cause for the above average lead value but I need to double check that that gasoline was indeed leaded.

Anyhow, please start posting your oil reports in this thread and down the road we could start trending these reports using some multi variate data analysis tools to see if we can detect engines that wear abnormaly fast, average trends, etc...

JonM wrote

I samples from all my oil changes to Blackstone labs. Got into the habit when I got my S54 kaboom M coupe engine.

I am not impressed with my first S65 one:



Does anyone else use Blackstone? I would love to compare results.

OP= JonM

A few thoughts on your oil sample results:

First off, if you did indeed use 112 octane race gas...it was definitely LEADED.

Better cross your fingers that it was the leaded fuel that caused the spike in your LEAD levels. Otherwise, you may have a bearing problem. It's too early to tell, but I'd get another oil sample out to Blackstone after 3,000 miles just to be safe.

If it does turn out to be an internal bearing issue, these oil analysis reports can be very helpful. This independent third-party oil report can be used to help convince BMW NA, in case any engine repairs or replacement is necessary in the future.

By the way, the other trace metal levels look good, and the total base number of 3.4 is still pretty good. (fresh 10w-60 TWS has a TBN of 8.1)

Question:

How much time lapsed between using the leaded fuel, and taking a sample of the oil for analysis?

Lemans_Blue_M wrote

First off, if you did indeed use 112 octane race gas...it was definitely LEADED.

And that's bad news for the cats OP. DON'T use it again.

Lemans_Blue_M wrote

A few thoughts on your oil sample results:

First off, if you did indeed use 112 octane race gas...it was definitely LEADED.

Better cross your fingers that it was the leaded fuel that caused the spike in your LEAD levels. Otherwise, you may have a bearing problem. It's too early to tell, but I'd get another oil sample out to Blackstone after 3,000 miles just to be safe.

If it does turn out to be an internal bearing issue, these oil analysis reports can be very helpful. This independent third-party oil report can be used to help convince BMW NA, in case any engine repairs or replacement is necessary in the future.

By the way, the other trace metal levels look good, and the total base number of 3.4 is still pretty good. (fresh 10w-60 TWS has a TBN of 8.1)

Question:

How much time lapsed between using the leaded fuel, and taking a sample of the oil for analysis?

Thanks LeMans for your comments! I took 2.240 gallons on May 15th and had the oil changed on September 26th.

elp_jc wrote

And that's bad news for the cats OP. DON'T use it again.

elp_jc, could you please explain what you meant?

Do you mean that leaded gasoline wcould/would damage the catalyzers?

Thanks for educating me but in any case I only took the bare minimum because I was running out of gas. I will have to watch better the fuel gauge next time.

MTROIS wrote

To the moderators:

could you perhaps move this thread to the "service/maintenance" section instead of the current DIY??

Thanks!

Done.

First sample from 808 MGuy @ ~ 8k

808MGuy wrote

Second report @ ~15k

i had a similar report on my S85...with an elevated lead...motor also was at 15,000 miles

I guess the 15K interval is BS. I'm going to take her down to 5K and see how we do. I'm also thinking 5W-40 might be the way to go as it takes forever to warm up. It seems like the oil is just warming up by the time I'm ready to shut her down.

BRDHNTR wrote

I guess the 15K interval is BS. I'm going to take her down to 5K and see how we do. I'm also thinking 5W-40 might be the way to go as it takes forever to warm up. It seems like the oil is just warming up by the time I'm ready to shut her down.

I would drive longer rather than changing the oil to 5w40 : )

BRDHNTR wrote

I guess the 15K interval is BS.

I've always thought so, especially with hot weather and traffic involved.

I also question the 10W/60 oil. The S54 engine didn't call for that initially. Until they found excessive oil consumption and bearing problems BMW changed it; seemed like a band-aid to me. Wonder if the S65 was designed with 10/60 in mind. In a world of 5/20, and 5/40 at worst on the equally high-strung GT3 (and all other Porsches), 10/60 sounds ridiculous IMO. Only problem is with BMW paying for service, deviating from their recommendation could void the engine warranty, no? I'd be curious about oil consumption with 5/40 as well. Please keep us posted if you decide to use it. Take care.

Here is my first report. I had about 7200 miles on this oil. Seems like many of us have high iron and copper readings. Probably will taper down after the full breakin. My lead readings are very low though compared to some of the reports in this thread. Not sure why.

Here is my second report.

Here is ShadeD1's report (5,800 mls on oil / 7000 mls on ODO):

Here is my latest report (7600 mls on Oil / 23700mls on ODO):

This is my first Blackstone analysis report. The oil was pulled with about 36000 miles on my car, and 8000 miles on the oil (I didn't have time so went a bit longer before getting the oil change done). I am also getting high levels of lead (25 - not sure what the units are), but they say everything else looks good.

Here is my report, with 8700 miles on the car, and ~7400 on the oil. i think the high iron and copper are due to break-in. i wonder if the decreased viscosity is from track days. 8 days at 275degree oil temps may start breaking down the oil.
will post next report in ~7000 miles.

Here`s the first one i`ve sent to to Blackstone for my 08. Picked up the car at 52000 kms and changed the oil at 60000 kms. Based on service records the car had the last oil change at 47000 kms in October.

I'm wondering if the high wear and metal content from the weak of REALLY cold starts this past January (around -22 ºC and a couple around -33ºC) maybe its time to think to switch to a lighter weight oil for winter? Any thoughts from anybody?

elp_jc wrote

And that's bad news for the cats OP. DON'T use it again.

and Oxygen sensors..really no need to use leaded fuel..there is a wide array of quality high octane unleaded.