Another oil analysis - coolant verdict?

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MoJ

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Took this sample last weekend. I changed it myself this time but had previously been dropping it off at Toyota for changes so the oil tested is Mr T's label. I assumed they were using 10w-30 but it looks like it was 5w-30. I had listed 10w-30 on the Blackstone form. I've never specified when getting it changed.

I have experienced a little coolant loss over time. They found sodium in the oil - sometimes present in additives but is also in antifreeze. Hmmmmm. Anyone know what brand of oil Mr T really is? Seems like I remember it being Valvoline.


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When I asked my dealership they said they use castrol 5w-30. I don't remember whether it was gtx or syntec.
 
55.6 SUS is on the thin side of 30wt for sure (more like upper end of 20wt). But Blackstone's comment is nonsense. The "5W" in 5W-30 has nothing to do witht the viscosity at 100C. It isn't from fuel dilution either. Maybe just some VII shearing, but I have not seen where these motors shear oil, especially in short intervals. There is some variation in these tests...I would not worry about the viscosity, especially seeing as you don't know what it started out at. Maybe next sample you can use an oil with known starting properties so you can compare your results.

No water or glycol tells me you are probably ok on the antifreeze. 62ppm Na is not huge, and if you had a coolant leak there would be other signs to go along with the Na. Another reason for using an oil for which you have a virgin analysis in hand. You'll know if the oil starts with any sodium.

If you go to the virgin analysis thread at bobistheoilguy.com you can pick out an oil and at least have an idea of the starting properties.

Do you have any of the virgin oil to take Blackstone up on their generous offer to check for sodium?

Very nice analysis, btw. You should be pleased.
 
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tarbe said:
Do you have any of the virgin oil to take Blackstone up on their generous offer to check for sodium?

Very nice analysis, btw. You should be pleased.

I'd like to take them up on their offer just to verify the source of the sodium. It will require me going to the dealer and finding out what they're using for bulk. I always assumed it was the same stuff they sell across the parts counter with the Toyota name on it but who knows after reading about it. Sounds like different dealers use different bulk oil brands.
 
No sense asking the dealer what it is as a sample from another source might vary considerably for oil of that low grade. I'd simply ask them if you can actually fill a small bottle with it for a Blackstone sample and offer them a copy of the analysis for their trouble.

DougM
 
To be confident of the analysis you had better change the oil to something good and of known specification (like Mobil 1), run it for a couple of thousand miles and send a new sample to Blackstone.
 
IdahoDoug said:
No sense asking the dealer what it is as a sample from another source might vary considerably for oil of that low grade. I'd simply ask them if you can actually fill a small bottle with it for a Blackstone sample and offer them a copy of the analysis for their trouble.

DougM

I plan on getting an unused sample when I take it in next week. I had done the whole sample thing for one reason - to get a pre-HG replacement data point. Prior to sending the sample in I had already ordered all the HG replacement stuff from Dan and was just considering it a PM.

By doing an analysis right before the HG replacement I was hoping to gain some info for myself and others - I was hoping to learn whether or not the analysis detects a HG failure in the early stages when no major symptoms are present. I figured if the HG is in fact found to be failing - a breakdown in the early stages such as the one turbo had - doing an oil analysis before hand would give me some idea of just how valuable (or not) the analysis is for catching things early.

Make sense or no?



(PS - for you guys that worry about oil brands I did replace it with Rotella when I changed it myself last weekend.)
 
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Makes sense to me...

Now if we can just lobby congress to make Saturdays 32 hours long so I can get all the HG tests and an oil change done in one day...
 

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