TDI Used Oil Lab Analyses Results & Discussions

[wensteph]

RLI Bio-Syn 5w-30 HD (Low Ash) in 3.0L Touareg

Oil is a CJ-4. 106,529 miles on vehicle and 5,385 on this fill. Additives used are a cocktail of RLI Bio-Power summer and LCD FPPlus.

 

[shuswap]

I have a general question about oil analysis, because when I used to own hybrids, I saw owners having their used oil checked too.

What, if anything, has an oil analysis done for anyone, other than to give reassurances to an owner that everything is within spec's and it's okay to use the auto makers recommended OCI? I can understand if an owner is using an oil NOT recommended for their vehicle and wanting to know if it's use has been beneficial or detrimental, but from what I've read and scanned through various threads and discussions, there have never been any news of consequence.

In my case this forum provided info that allowed me to extend my oil changes beyond what I would have as well as provided me with a recommendation for the oil(s) to use in my cam-eating PD engine. I think that using the correct oil, not which was recommended by VW I have been able to drive an additional 210Kkm due to better additives.

While I haven't done a UOA on this engine I have a pretty good idea of how it's doing compared to others, who have done the analysis. You seem to think that VW gets it right....I don't think that they are all that wonderful, personally,....especially with regard to warranty in Canada.

That said, I don't think UOA is necessary for everyone but it can help ID problems before they get a life of their own, such as cam metals, bearing metals, fuel dilution, air filtration issues, etc.

 

[jhinsc]

In my case this forum provided info that allowed me to extend my oil changes beyond what I would have as well as provided me with a recommendation for the oil(s) to use in my cam-eating PD engine. I think that using the correct oil, not which was recommended by VW I have been able to drive an additional 210Kkm due to better additives.

While I haven't done a UOA on this engine I have a pretty good idea of how it's doing compared to others, who have done the analysis. You seem to think that VW gets it right....I don't think that they are all that wonderful, personally,....especially with regard to warranty in Canada.

That said, I don't think UOA is necessary for everyone but it can help ID problems before they get a life of their own, such as cam metals, bearing metals, fuel dilution, air filtration issues, etc.

In other words, you're stating that VW is recommending the wrong oil for use in their vehicles?

 

[shuswap]

In other words, you're stating that VW is recommending the wrong oil for use in their vehicles?

Well word it is as you will, but I have in my possession an owner's manual that does specify an oil (VW 505.00) that is inconsistent with the oil spec'd elsewhere by VW for use in the BEW PD engines. The oil was changed at the dealership, who admitted being unaware of the special oil required for the pump duse engine (VW 505.01 according to VW) before I took over maintenance on this vehicle, over 210,000 km back. On the recommendation of some here and my own reading of used oil analysis by others here I decided to use either the Shell T6 or the Mobil 1 TDT oils, which have worked remarkably well.

 

[phaser]

15262 miles on this sample, iron tripled but Polaris considered it slightly elevated, but within normal flagged green, and also did a particle count, see bottom.

Iron bothers me, but is this due to accumulation just because of increasing the OCI? If something is brewing, I may not have noticed had I done the oci at 10k like usual.

 

[Wankel7]

First ALH UOA - Nickel?

First UOA on my new to me Jetta. The oil was in the car for almost a year and 9,400 miles before it was changed.

Blackstone noted the nickel was higher than average at 14ppm. Is this something to be concerned about?

I had difficulty searching this forum since so there were so many results for nickel. Not sure if it matters but I ran a can of Diesel Purge through before I took the sample. Blackstone didn't note it but the magnesium was higher than average.

http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,car..._1.9L_1896cc_L4_DIESEL_AQM_Exhaust_Valve.html Maybe valves?
Thanks!
rl]

 

[GoFaster]

Valve material has no path into the engine oil.

Crankshafts, camshafts, and valve lifters are made of alloy steel which generally has a significant nickel content.

But ... it is in conjunction with iron in all of those alloys, and your iron level is good.

And ... the crankshaft is completely supported at all main and rod bearings on journals which are made of something similar to "babbitt", and if those are wearing, you are going to see significant tin, copper, etc which you don't have.

My money would be on a measurement fluke and to not worry about it.

 

[Hyates]

My Scary UOA - CJAA Motor

Hi Folks. I have a 2012 Golf TDI that we purchased new in July 2012. I have run Total Quartz Ineo Long Life 5W-30 since the first oil change.

The car currently has 67000 km on it (41600 miles), and the oil change interval has been between 13000 and 15000 km (8000 to 9000 miles) and about 6 months apart. I should also add this car does about 80% hwy and 20% city during an 80 km (50 mile) daily commute. It does frequent weekend trips of 1000 km or more (600 miles +).

My dealer (who is excellent) presented the UOA's to the VW Zone Rep. The rep said that nothing has failed, so there's nothing to do. I suppose that's a realistic response, but I feel that this engine will have imminent premature engine failure based on what I'm seeing with the UOA trend. I have not seen another UOA on this forum like this.

Aluminum, iron, and chromium levels are up. So that's pistons, bores, rings, and potassium is also up for some reason. Not sure if the copper is OK or not.

This engine has NEVER had the oil level move from the full mark before until recently, after my last oil change in September/14. At 6000 km on the oil (3600 miles) the level has come down 2mm on the dipstick. I realize that's not a lot of consumption, but it is the first time this has happened.

I'd be interested to get any feedback on this. My next oil change is in about 3 month, and will do another UOA at that time.

http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/5656/UOA_2014.pdf

Thanks,

H.

 

[shuswap]

"The rep said that nothing has failed, so there's nothing to do."

That's what they said about my '05 Golf and its worn camshaft. It hasn't failed, car still runs....so?

I think it important that you have started the process and have established a record....keep all communication, times, dates, people in a file for action later.....if it should ever be required.

As for 2mm on the dipstick.....wish I could read mine that accurately. Glad to hear the dealer is acting on your behalf.
I'm in Ft Langley, if you're broken down you can always call for a ride!! Now we just need somebody knowledgeable to interpret your results

 

[bluesmoker]

change the oil more often

engines are expensive; oil is cheap

 

[James & Son]

Oil is a CJ-4. 106,529 miles on vehicle and 5,385 on this fill. Additives used are a cocktail of RLI Bio-Power summer and LCD FPPlus.

What did dyson have to say. can you make 10,000 mi on this. I am surprised the CJ4 has no copper which is or was anti-wear and where is the Antimony?

 

[TornadoRed]

My dealer (who is excellent) presented the UOA's to the VW Zone Rep. The rep said that nothing has failed, so there's nothing to do. I suppose that's a realistic response, but I feel that this engine will have imminent premature engine failure based on what I'm seeing with the UOA trend. I have not seen another UOA on this forum like this.

Aluminum, iron, and chromium levels are up. So that's pistons, bores, rings, and potassium is also up for some reason. Not sure if the copper is OK or not.

This engine has NEVER had the oil level move from the full mark before until recently, after my last oil change in September/14. At 6000 km on the oil (3600 miles) the level has come down 2mm on the dipstick.

Iron and aluminum are going in the wrong direction, for an engine this young. And yet, the oil still looks okay, so I don't think that's the cause. As for the oil level, I'd be far more concerned if the oil level was rising, not falling.

I would suggest another oil change after 8k or 9k miles, and another used-oil test. But I'm not one of the experts -- they need to chime in here, because this is an odd one.

 

[wensteph]

James & Son, RLI has changed their additive pack and no longer uses antimony or copper that used to identify them.

I've used this oil out to 10,000 on a previous fill with Terry's blessings, but he's recommending a change this time at 7,000.

 

[Hyates]

My Scary UOA - CJAA Motor

Iron and aluminum are going in the wrong direction, for an engine this young. And yet, the oil still looks okay, so I don't think that's the cause. As for the oil level, I'd be far more concerned if the oil level was rising, not falling.

I would suggest another oil change after 8k or 9k miles, and another used-oil test. But I'm not one of the experts -- they need to chime in here, because this is an odd one.

Thanks for your input. I agree on both accounts... 1. This is an odd one, and 2. I'll do another UOA at next change.

I'm hoping for the best. Funny, this is a car that I want to keep for a LONG time, now I'm having my doubts out its lifespan.

H.

 

[bruce51d]

here's my 50K service

 

[Mike in Anchorage]

'09 TDI. Analysis done at Blackstone at 50 k and at 70 k miles. Interval of change is right around 10 k miles. I didn't do the analysis at 60 k. Both aluminum and iron are more than double what should be expected on TDI engines. Oil is 507.1 and all other parameters seem normal. Aluminum increased from 42 to 46 and iron increased from 49 to 62. This is an early build of the '09 TDi's, as shown in my signature. Most driving is in Anchorage, which has no real bumper to bumper slow movement, and I consistently will get the engine up to full temp when I'm out running around. Any ideas, hints, or other things to check? Car continues to be a joy to drive and seems to be doing well. TIA.

 

[flyboy320]

Hoping someone can have a look at my oil analysis. The car has 44,000km (27,000 miles) and the oil has 14,000km (8,700 miles). Buying the oil from the dealer (castrol 5w30 507). Previous report from last year can be found here in this thread.
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[Hyates]

Flyboy: I wish our car had your cars' results!

H.

 

[phaser]

I ran this oil out to 20k miles to see what the numbers would be, and changed the oil and all filters after pulling this sample.

Make up oil was 1/2 quart and not 1 quart as noted in the report.

Iron ppm over 20,000 miles
Sample - 10,000 miles - 2.76 ppm per thousand miles
Sample - 15,000 miles - 5.83 ppm per thousand miles - 53% increase over the 10k report
Sample - 20,000 miles - 6.34 ppm per thousand miles - 8% increase over the 15k report

I found it interesting that the iron severity dropped down to a "1" from a "2"

 

[bobt2382]

7th UOA 2010 Golf TDI DEC 2014...Perplexed

Not sure what is going on. Did have the intercooler/radiator changed fall of 2013...30K miles ago.

I'll go ahead and change at 5k and retest.

 

[UFO (under fueled oiler)]

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3BSTj7TEhRuZDhfdFNBZURpSW8/edit?usp=docslist_api
Both oil samples are amsoil 5w40 ero. The first sample, change oil at 10,000 miles second sample, changed oil at 20,000 miles. I have to add half a quart every 5,000 miles.

 

[UhOh]

First analysis on new ALH @ 120k

Had the car for a little over 5k miles. PO was getting changes every 5k miles. Looks like I'm benefited by their over-spending. Engine is probably as close to new as you're going to get @ 120k miles

Miles were on Total Synth. After a lot of research, and because it's easier to get, I've switched to Shell Rotella T6. Will be interesting to see what I have after 10k on the Rotella.

Hope that tests from my other car (wife's, with 148k) are proportionally as good.

www.dropbox.com/s/9k4782n3ms6v2ms/Oil_Analysis_Tanko_Initial.png?dl=0

When I've got access to better tools I'll post the file/image here rather than the link.

 

[mk2_carat]

Have changed my air filter since the last test since they stated there was silicon and it's still there. Can't seem to find at leaks from the intake to turbo and haven't used any additives. Any ideas where else it could be coming from?

 

[JdC Machine]

Check the charge air system for loose clamps or splits in hoses.

 

[tjsean0308]

Here is one for you guys. I did the cam at 174,800 you can see the high iron relative to the new cam. Not crazy but I was getting timing issues and injector balance issues. I did the 500 mile break in and then ran a ZDDP additive until the change at 177,800. What say you of the lead in this most recent.

This is the most recent. The turbo developed shaft play and was rubbing th housing so I think that will be the copper. What do you all think about the Lead?

 

[phreaddy]

Anyone have any suggestions for me? The car now has 90,000 miles on it (the earlier intervals are listed on the analysis, but this one was not.)

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1jJPdOhgSoGekYyQ2w0TWRhUVk&usp=sharing

 

[Bob_Fout]

Anyone have any suggestions for me? The car now has 90,000 miles on it (the earlier intervals are listed on the analysis, but this one was not.)

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1jJPdOhgSoGekYyQ2w0TWRhUVk&usp=sharing

Is that correct you were using a synthetic 10w40? I am surprised to see 100C kinematic visco so low at 11.xx cSt.

 

[phreaddy]

Yep... I buy the correct 505.01 (or whatever).

 

[Bob_Fout]

Yep... I buy the correct 505.01 (or whatever).

Which oil? 505.01 oils are 5w40 or 5w30.

 

[phreaddy]

Good spot! Since I bought the car (with a bit over 30k miles on it) I've either bought oil from Bora Parts or World Impex... I believe it's always been 5W40, except for maybe my first oil change, which might have been 5W30, before I knew better (but it was still 505.01). The "10W40" I wrote on the sheet I sent to Blackstone is wrong.