Oil Analysis

AZ-Twin · 10-18-2011, 06:37 PM

Any of you guys ever have an oil analysis done? Here is a report from some oil I ran in my G650, this oil was in the bike for my trip up the CDR.

If the viscosity drops again on the next batch I send them, and the aluminum content is still high, I might switch from Mobil1 to something else.

I plan to have one done on my R1200S next change too, just for fun, and post it here. If you have an oil report you want to share, post it up.

chewie · chewie's Garage

Rob how much does it cost and do they give your bike a room with some bike porn in it to make things, ahem, easier?

Steve Carlton · 10-19-2011, 03:40 AM

Personally, I prefer MV Augusta brochures. Don't ask me why, but my bike goes for the Piaggio newsletter.

DonB · DonB's Garage

A single sample is just a point picture in time. Without trend information a point solution or decision from a single data point is misleading.
Do you have a base sample to compare it too?
Also, bike engines shed aluminum practically their whole life. The fact that a certain amount of aluminum is present could be cause for action but without a history its almost meaningless.
As for the oil to hold grade, that is another discussion as well. When an oil is graded, it is from a test sample that is representative of a batch. This number could easily be +/- 10% and still be considered in grade. Again, a comparison to a new sample of the same lot is a must.
For future samples, always submit two samples. One of new oil from the bottle and then one from the used sample.
Also, it is VERY easy to contaminate a sample from outside sources. Just by not having a hermetically sealed container could contaminate the sample even before the oil is put into it. Plus sample technique is EVERYTHING to consistent, believable results.

AZ-Twin · 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewie

Rob how much does it cost and do they give your bike a room with some bike porn in it to make things, ahem, easier?

LOL,

25 bucks for the test, no bike porn. I just bring up one of Jeff's threads and that takes care of it.

AZ-Twin · 10-19-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonB

A single sample is just a point picture in time. Without trend information a point solution or decision from a single data point is misleading.
Do you have a base sample to compare it too?
Also, bike engines shed aluminum practically their whole life. The fact that a certain amount of aluminum is present could be cause for action but without a history its almost meaningless.
As for the oil to hold grade, that is another discussion as well. When an oil is graded, it is from a test sample that is representative of a batch. This number could easily be +/- 10% and still be considered in grade. Again, a comparison to a new sample of the same lot is a must.
For future samples, always submit two samples. One of new oil from the bottle and then one from the used sample.
Also, it is VERY easy to contaminate a sample from outside sources. Just by not having a hermetically sealed container could contaminate the sample even before the oil is put into it. Plus sample technique is EVERYTHING to consistent, believable results.

Don,

I agree with everything you say. I am just fooling around here and sending a sample of new oil for analysis with each sample would get a little pricy. My hope is Mobil puts out a consistent product, and the folks at Blackstone have good data for that product.

I gather the sample per the Blackstone procedure, and I will do it consistently, so there should be no problem there.

My plan is to do analysis on this bike, my Toyota truck (holds 7qts of 5w20) and the R1200s.

After two or three tests on the G650, If the results are consistent with this test, I might run some different oil through it just to see if there is a difference.

Again, I am just playing here, I am sure any name brand motor oil will provide adequate protection, but instead of relying on all the stuff on the net, I wanted to gather some knowledge for myself. For the costs of the test in addition to what I pay for the oil I currently use, I could buy exotic oil, but I still would not know if I was paying for anything besides a sexy bottle.

SergioK · 10-19-2011, 09:24 AM

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/262083-yet-another-oil-analysis-rotella-t.html#post2518641

I did the viscosity test the first time around. After establishing a baseline, you don't really need to do it unless the engine goes through a different 'routing' between engine oil changes.

RBMann · 10-19-2011, 09:40 AM

I was thinking this is a good indicator that fall is here then I remembered that you live in AZ.

bikerfish1100 · 10-20-2011, 09:46 AM

Rob, is the Mobil 1 that you're using a m/c specific variety, or is it the auto version?

SergioK · 10-20-2011, 10:38 AM

I was using the automobile version.

AZ-Twin · 10-20-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerfish1100

Rob, is the Mobil 1 that you're using a m/c specific variety, or is it the auto version?

Auto version, 15-50 from the Wal Mart Jug.

Some Data.

AZ-Twin · 10-20-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

I was using the automobile version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

I sent my oil in to Blackstone. I thought for sure that the oil was pretty much done, especially after being in there for over 8 months. I'm pretty happy with the results but I'm sure it came out so good because of the 2.3l of makeup oil I added during all this time. Seems like my S doesn't like the daily commute and she ends up eating oil like crazy.

Here is Sergio's Report.

bikerfish1100 · 10-20-2011, 02:18 PM

those numbers for Zn and Ph don't look bad (tho not as good as their m/c specific variety), as do Sergio's oil analysis results.

AZ Pete · AZ Pete's Garage

Thanks for posting your analysis, I've thought about sending them a sample from time to time. What oil change interval are you using on your Tundra?

AZ-Twin · 11-16-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ Pete

Thanks for posting your analysis, I've thought about sending them a sample from time to time. What oil change interval are you using on your Tundra?

Pete,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this but I wanted to wait till my test results came back.

Normally I change it around 6K, but the oil still looks surprisingly good, so I decided to run it a bit longer and have it analyzed.

This is the first test I have had done on my Tundra oil. I am going to run the oil in it now for 10K and see what they say. I will need to add some oil, usually I see it is down at 6K but I am changing it so I don't add any. I am around 6K now on the change I did in October, I have taken two long trips on this oil.

Here is the report.

AZ-Twin · 11-16-2011, 04:55 PM

I am now at 47044 so the oil in the truck has just under 6K on it, and it still looks good, and is not down a bit according to the marks on my ever so accurate dip stick. 5K of that is Interstate mileage.

AZ Pete · AZ Pete's Garage

Thanks Robert, I have been using the 0W20 in my Tundra and changing every 5,000 miles. I think that I will send a sample in this time to see what they say.

I am still using dino oil in the BMW, and will consider changing to synthetic next change, just need to see what the consumption is between changes. I've only had the R1100S for about 1,000 miles, so don't know how the oil consumption will be, yet.