Oil Analysis - 1st oil change

[Stang70Fastback]

I've been trying out 10,000 mile oil change intervals using AMSOIL 0W-20, and here are my results for anyone interested. This car does autocross, by the way:



If the image link doesn't work, here's the link to my blog post with the results.

[Brzerker]

This is my first (ever) oil analysis with my Subaru BRZ using the Motul 300V 5W-40. Car is a daily driver (city & highway) and seeing track days every now and then.

The tech commented that silicone can be found in the oil and has potential abrasive properties, any idea if that is of major concern? It was also mentioned that the oil's flashpoint has reduced by quite a significant amount and could be due to fuel contamination, any comments on this as well?



Update: The tech sent an updated diagnosis and redacted the low flash point concern.. Good news i guess?

[C4RBON]

Here are a few more reports from Blackstone. The last report is after my first track day. I had five 30-minute sessions at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. I changed my oil a few days aftewards. I am surprised there is essentially no additional wear after 2.5 hrs of hard use.

My car is stock other than tires, pads, and brake fluid. All of my oil changes have been with OEM filters and oil. I use my car for everything; going to work, long highway trips, autox, canyon carving, winter driving, etc. So far so good.

[aegisdrgn]

Originally Posted by Brzerker

This is my first (ever) oil analysis with my Subaru BRZ using the Motul 300V 5W-40. Car is a daily driver (city & highway) and seeing track days every now and then.

The tech commented that silicone can be found in the oil and has potential abrasive properties, any idea if that is of major concern? It was also mentioned that the oil's flashpoint has reduced by quite a significant amount and could be due to fuel contamination, any comments on this as well?



Update: The tech sent an updated diagnosis and redacted the low flash point concern.. Good news i guess?

I say don't worry about the silicon. If you look back at others' results, you can see that most everybody is sitting around 20+ ppm at your mileage. Get the oil tested one or two more times and establish a trend. If it goes up, maybe time to check engine air filter / tubing for cracks or leaks where dust can get in, but I don't think it's a big deal at your ppm.

[86league]

So this is after ~2500 miles with 4 track weekends/8 days and about 600 miles on track (2 of those days were wet though, so basically street driving...)

Mobil-1 0W-20 with a JR radiator/oil cooler and stock everything else except for camber mods and brake pads/fluid. The cooler has kept oil temps down - I think 228F has been my max, but it's been cool all 4 weekends so far.

I've learned some since and thought maybe I had messed up running 0W-20, but I don't see anything of real concern here ... ???. Will probably switch to 5W-30 now just to have a bit of insurance, since it's still an approved spec for the car and the 0W-20 seemed to work OK.

[cueball89]

Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20, 4189 miles on the oil. I had 4 autox events on this oil. I refilled with Pennzoil Platinum Euro 0w-40.

[TofuJoe]

Subaru Ow-20, 4000 miles on the oil and 5 track days. I have a Perrin oil cooler, catted header, and custom tune. I wonder why aluminum was high. Anyone else see values around 8 for aluminum?

[Prax]

Get yourself some 0W30, 5W30 or 5W40.

Subaru Japan recommends Castrol SLX Professional 5W40 in their recommended oil list, since it is their engine they might know a thing or two.

0W20 is for fuel economy, it does not provide the same protection in high-rpm and high wear scenarios as a heavier oil, regardless of temperature. (Bring the hate, talk to a chemist)

[TofuJoe]

@Prax - 0W-20 is the correct oil for the temperature where I live and my car setup. I was running 5W-30 before I got an oil cooler. Thicker oil would not get up to temperature with an oil cooler. I've monitored my temps in regular driving and on track.

Speaking of oil coolers, both my mechanic and Blackstone thought the elevated aluminum might be from the oil cooler install. We'll find out after I do my next analysis.

[cueball89]

Latest UOA with Pennzoil 0w-40, previous fill was Pennzoil 0w-20. Sorry, dont know how to embed the image with imgur...
http://imgur.com/a/PGNq2

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by cueball89

Latest UOA with Pennzoil 0w-40, previous fill was Pennzoil 0w-20. Sorry, dont know how to embed the image with imgur...
http://imgur.com/a/PGNq2

The 30 grade viscosity isn't unusual since you probably have some residual 0W20 in there and this oil begins life as a light 40 grade (along with tue racing conditions), but I would switch to Amsoil's OAI since they actually test for fuel rather than Blackstone's fuel dilution estimate.

[Zentec]

I live in Nevada so the heat out here is high. I followed the guidelines for proper engine brake in. Once I got to 1k miles I paid to have the oil changed at Toyota but not using my Toyota care I put in the TRD sports filter from japan. Then got my first actual change at the 7.5 month because I didn't put that many miles on it between the first one and the time frame. I will be getting an oil cooler at some point I think it is a must for keeping this car long term or if you are going to track it at all. I was thinking of putting oil/air separator from Crawford but have not decided yet. On my next oil change I will getting 0w30 oil put in and have Toyota take care of it but not sure what brand I will use. This is an enthusiast car with a high compression and high rev. I have had several high performance cars over the years both n/a and turbo including several Subaru's. I will at some point want to autocross but not for some time. I have found that the only reason they put 0w20 in this car is due to the kick back each dealer/manufacture gets for mpg. That's why it says in both manuals here in the USA/CA for cold weather start and best fuel mileage. So what dose Japan say since this is a Japanese designed car. Below is the Japanese manual for Subaru and the second is for the Toyota GT 86



Subaru designed the engine and they recommend 0w30 and the 5w40 Subaru Castrol slx professional for track.
Since I plan on keeping this car for a long time I am more concerned with better protection for my engine not a couple mpg. I get really good Mpg for a sports car already. I know that your only looking at around 2-3% difference in mpg. 0w20 is good if your only going to daily drive your car and have mild winters. If you auto cross or push your car especially in an environment like I'm in running 0w30 and oil cooler is a must. Even if you just want to add an oil cooler and run the 0w20 is a good idea for longevity.

[Zentec]

Originally Posted by Prax

Get yourself some 0W30, 5W30 or 5W40.

Subaru Japan recommends Castrol SLX Professional 5W40 in their recommended oil list, since it is their engine they might know a thing or two.

0W20 is for fuel economy, it does not provide the same protection in high-rpm and high wear scenarios as a heavier oil, regardless of temperature. (Bring the hate, talk to a chemist)

Yes 0w20 is for fuel economy you are 100% right about that and yes it dose not protect the same way as heavier oil. But the part you are incorrect is the regardless of temperature. As the engine heats up and your oil heats up to operating temp. Once there that is when your oil depends on heat and pressure. The point of running a heavier oil is to maintain protection and pressure as your oil heats up under load. Your oil will thin out providing less protection at higher temps. 0w30 will maintain its protection/pressure under high heat and stress so much better than 0w20 that is why they recommend that Castrol SLX Professional 5W40 in a race/track application. All syn oils now a days are really good and offer much better protection than the old standard oils. The oil cooler will provide better protection by keeping it in its optimum range if you are running the 0w20. I plan on running the 0w30 with an oil cooler. But I do live in an extreme environment and I do love pushing my car a bit.

[NLS8520]

Originally Posted by qqzj

Has anybody seen Blackstone produced any negative report for BRZ? If I have to use one sentence to summarize the results, my choice would be:

Any 0w20 works just fine!

LOL

Yes I have seen negative info in uoa reports.