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Engine Oil Analysis!

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PaulW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Engine Oil Analysis!
    Posted: 05 Jul 2016 at 9:14pm
Hi Folks,

Have been considering this for a while.
Anyway, I contacted the 'Oil Lab' based in Blackburn in Lancashire.
They offer oil and fuel testing for the use of private individuals as well as industry.

Thought it would be interesting to analysis how the engine of the M3 is faring, now it is nearing the 100k mile mark!
I've plumped for their 'Silver level' analysis which is a spectrochemical scan to detect wear, metals, viscosity at 40 and 100 cst, soot contamination, glycol, water dirt and total base number.

Depending on the results will depend on whether I venture to a more in depth analysis.

I'm expecting the results in a day or so!


Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
'Drive with Passion'
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RParkinson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RParkinson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jul 2016 at 9:50pm
I believe you get the best indication of wear if you regularly get your oil analysed, say at every oil change. You can the spot any change in composition that occurs.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MHunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2016 at 6:50am
I have done this. Let us know the results. WhaT gen m3 is it, and what oil do you use ?
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PaulW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2016 at 1:37pm
It's an August 2003 e46 face lift.
It has been regularly serviced prior to a since my ownership.  I have always used Castrol Edge 10w-60 M specific engine oil.
Since its last oil change, it has only covered 3k miles prior to the oil analysis.  The analysis should also confirm whether the oil was actual changed and if it was; was the correct grade used! as well as all the other analyses.
The sample was sent 1st class Monday, so I would hope by next Monday to have the results. 
 
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
'Drive with Passion'
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Roger123 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roger123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2016 at 3:01pm
Paul, looking forward to you posting the results in due course!

I'd be interested to know what is the BMW recommendation for oil (and filter) changes on your car?  Do you stick to these recommendations, or do you change the oil sooner?  Mine is recommended at 15000 miles which I believe is too long to wait, particularly as BMW recently issued a bulletin in the U.S. for 10K changes.  I have just had mine changed at 11000 miles and intend to stick with a 10000 mile oil (and filter) change in the future.

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PaulW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 12:59pm
Roger, the service is around the same 15k or 2years which ever is the sooner.  Although mine is my daily drive I only do a small mileage each year around 7k. So in between services I change the oil and filter myself.  To be honest I keep a keen eye on things anyway.
After the last service the M3 sounded different Confused which made me wonder about the oil. The tappets had been checked and no shims required.  Having pondered I decided to have the oil analysised.  I would like to think that I am in tune with my cars and hope I am just being over sensitive and that the analysis doesn't unveil any surprises!
As soon as I have the results I'll post back up Wink 

Edited by PaulW - 07 Jul 2016 at 1:02pm
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
'Drive with Passion'
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PaulW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2016 at 10:59am
Well folks,
The analysis confirms that the engine is in good shape. The spectrochemical analysis reported that all the levels are well below their recommended levels, in some cases the levels came back at zero.  The viscosity test also matched the grade of oil specified ie 10w-60.

I'll change the oil later on in the year and send another sample to be analysed.

Having received the report I phoned and spoke to Oil Lab to discuss the results.  Extremely helpful. Actually spoke to the guy who performed the analysis!

If this is something you are considering then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Oil Lab.  Fast, efficient and customer focused.
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
'Drive with Passion'
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DAVE P View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2016 at 11:17am
Originally posted by PaulW PaulW wrote:

Well folks,
The analysis confirms that the engine is in good shape. The spectrochemical analysis reported that all the levels are well below their recommended levels, in some cases the levels came back at zero.  The viscosity test also matched the grade of oil specified ie 10w-60.

I'll change the oil later on in the year and send another sample to be analysed.

Having received the report I phoned and spoke to Oil Lab to discuss the results.  Extremely helpful. Actually spoke to the guy who performed the analysis!

If this is something you are considering then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Oil Lab.  Fast, efficient and customer focused.


Thanks for the info I will get mine checked for peace of mind
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