The BMW Car Club
of Great Britain & Ireland |
*** BMW Car Club GB website - see https://bmwcarclubgb.uk/ ***
*** Looking to buy or sell? ~ Checkout our BMW Car Club GB classifieds ***
|
Engine Oil Analysis! |
Post Reply |
Author | |
PaulW
Club Member Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 247 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
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' |
|
Sponsored Links | |
RParkinson
Club Member Joined: 28 Nov 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 183 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
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.
|
|
2013 F06 M6 Gran Coupe
2003 E39 M5 1980 E26 |
|
MHunt
Club Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Status: Offline Points: 424 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have done this. Let us know the results. WhaT gen m3 is it, and what oil do you use ?
|
|
PaulW
Club Member Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 247 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
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' |
|
Roger123
Club Member Joined: 03 Aug 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Status: Offline Points: 231 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
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. |
|
PaulW
Club Member Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 247 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
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 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
Edited by PaulW - 07 Jul 2016 at 1:02pm |
|
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver 'Drive with Passion' |
|
PaulW
Club Member Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 247 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
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' |
|
DAVE P
Club Member Joined: 04 Jun 2013 Location: Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for the info I will get mine checked for peace of mind |
|
Post Reply | |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |