Oil Changes after a Work-Out

[Purrybonker]

I know there's lots of chatter here about oil change frequencies in daily driving. But do you (open question) do anything differently in view of autox or track time?

After running two autox events within thirty days, my gut is itching to change the oil even though I've only put on about 250 miles since the last change.

Guidance?

[juanbenae]

look at the oil on the dip stick, does it smell? look black or soiled? if its still looking and smelling good let it ride. if you really over heated the thing well then maybe yes, otherwise let the oil make the call grassshopper.

[Rot 911]

There is no such thing as changing the oil too often. If it is weighing on your mind, change it. Cheap insurance.

[Jdub]

I'm with Kurt - I'd change it. I also think that two AutoX's would shear plenty of polymers and reduce the viscosity of the oil.

John

[Neilk]

How many runs did you do and how long was each run? I doubt 15 minutes of hard running necessitates an oil change, IMHO.

[Schrup]

Are you running dino or synthetic? I'd be reluctant if it's Mobile1.

[Purrybonker]

Probably a total of 15 (two minute) runs - much of it at or near red-line. Dino oil in use.

Kurt's comment makes sense... if it's weighing on the mind, change it.

[Neilk]

If you want to change go ahead, but if a Porsche can't handle two minutes near red-line, then they shouldn't go on the autobahn.

If the oil didn't go over 240 then keep it, if it went over 240 then change it. Sounds like your mind is made up already...

[rickeolis]

I'm with Kurt too, you can never change the oil too often.

Any small metal that does not get trapped by the filter acts like sandpaper to the bearings.

That said, I also change the filter EVERY time.

[Purrybonker]

...naw, mind still open, that's why I posted the question. Not to split hairs, but 2 min x 15 runs is a total of around 30 min @ redline. But I catch the point.

Now, 240 degrees, that would be the red mark on the temp guage, or the black mark immediately below it? I'm still using the barbaric temp guage with hash marks rather than degrees.

[91C2wrencher]

From the what its worth dept. I change oil once in the spring to Mobil 1 15/50 with a new filter and once in the fall Mobil 1 10/40 no new filter. But i do only put 2-3000 miles in a year.

[Neilk]

IIRC, if you look at the very left hand side of the gauge, you might see very small numbers indicating the temp for each hash mark.

[304065]

I change the oil in each of the four below vehicles every four months regardless of the hours on each; and after the following intervals:

Van: 3000 Miles (tow vehicle)
C2 Cab: 3000 Miles (which I have yet to hit every four months)
911E: After every race
Citabria: Every 25 hours. This a/c is operated at 75% continuous power almost all the time, except for landing.

Oil change frequency is not merely a question of usage, it's also a question of time. The combustion process builds up acids in the oil that eat away at the bearings and corrode internal engine parts. Whenever I operate anything, I try to get the oil temp above 212F so that the moisture that condenses inside the crankcase with every temp and humidity change boils off to the extent possible.

[Mike Feinstein]

Oil change after 250 miles? The oil industry thanks you!

[Chuck Moreland]

There is a big difference between running redline at an autox and racing on the track. Your oil should not be getting into the "too damn hot" range during a 1-2 minute autox run. If it is, you have problems an oil change won't fix.

I wouldn't sweat the autox miles. It's about the same on your motor as aggressive street driving.

[Noel]

If you change it after only 250 miles and a few autocrosses, the first time you do a DE event you will get about 3.5 hours of track time over the course of the weekend. That works out to an oil change after every 25 minute session on the track. Better bring alot of oil!

It does not need to be changed. Autocross is pretty easy on your engine. Relatively speaking, of course.


Noel

[Crachian]

How does your oil taste?