Hi

Has anyone using these filters done a UOA at time of oil change?

From what I've seen, the wear numbers are rather poor.

Fill us in what is a 'uoa', and what filter do we do it too?

hi

UOA is a used oil analysis, which enables you to know the amounts of trace wear items in the oil and to compare against other engines/ previous analysis. This would show if there is acceptable bearing wear due to high copper/lead levels, while excessive boron would indicate other problems such high as a internal coolant leak.

Also, such things as TBN ( total base number) would suggest how long your brand of oil could/should go for the next change. A high Si number would indicate that silicon (dirt) is getting through the filtration, and may contribute to excessive wear.

I really think that people who "push" their performance envelopes, should be doing periodic UOA, just to keep abreast of any problems that may be occuring and to alter their change intervals and to possible alter their oil choice based on that report.

I personally, use M1 10w-30, change it every 6000m and use a PF52 filter. Usually , I use a Baldwin filter both for air and oil.

What filter are you refering too? I've never done a UOA on my filters after a change. Is there a place you take em to for that? How much does it normally cost?

I'm gonna switch to wix filters next time i change my oil.

You mean engine oil analysis i assume. Many people running a higher performance filter, run their car harder, and will show more wear. :wink:

Is that the thing that Amsoil does when you send'em the oil?

hi

yes, as i mentioned above, used oil analysis.

the aircleaner or intake leak, is usually the cause for high si in the oil. there is a wealth of information available to you when you get a UOA. i havent gotten one in awhile, so might do one in april just to see how the M1 held up.


This is a "sample" analysis from a 2000 Regal 3800 using M1 10w-30. For obvious reasons, I didnot include the name of the lab nor any personal comments they made.
For the record, the thread consensus was that the oil was holding up extremely well, and was capable of lasting until 8k mi. The wear factor on the engine was very low.

It appears that the lab and the contributing members of the thread were impressed.


Miles on oil: 5,079
Miles on engine: 74,747
Gas: 87 octane unleaded
Oil: Mobil 1 10W-30
Makeup oil: 1/2 qt.
Additives: none
Filter: AC Delco pf47
TBN: 4.7

Aluminum 3
Chromium 1
Iron 9
Copper 13
Lead 3
Tin 3
Moly 68
Boron 119
Silicon 11
Sodium 5
Calcium 2979
Magnesium 10
Phosporus 776
Zinc 872


SUS 60.1
Insolubles 0.4
Flashpoint 400

Ok, ill bite again, where do you get one done, and how much does it normally cost?

hi

here is the link for a free test kit.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html

the cost is $20.00

cool, going to do this on my next oil change...