Oh wow, I was guessing 1-2 total. 4 is quite a bit so contamination is a factor but being that we're not millionaires (yet) what can we do.

 

Well keep in mind that that you're actually getting inaccurate readings with a magnet installed but for the sake of your engine I like your magnet plate.

 

You had asked earlier about the ZDDP cost - I will have to check on that, I just can't recall. I will post it when I find it.

My one experiment indicated that the iron content was non-magnetic so I am not sure how much the results are skewed .... but who knows! One more experiment to run sometime down the road.

Also - to quantify the fuel dilution issue ....
On one oil analisis, Blackstone reported the fuel dilution at 0.5%. I split samples and Polaris reported the fuel dilution to be 2.9%. Quite a difference! I suppose I will repeat this one sometime later also (as money allows).

 

Whoa! That's a big difference! It might be worth intentionally contaminating a sample (known contamination %) and send it to both labs and see which one comes closer.

 

Bis

Those numbers are well greek to me...so in english which oil so far is better? I have used Rotella...switch to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel, and then to Valv PBE and still using it....

Thanks,

Pit

 

These are Blackstone's recommended numbers:
Anything over these numbers MIGHT indicate an issue is developing.
In UOA's, trends are more important than specific numbers in many of the analytes (mainly the wear metals).

Universal Avg.
3 Aluminum
1 Chromium
22 Iron
3 Copper
3 Lead
1 Tin
31 Molybdenum
0 Nickel
0 Manganese
0 Silver
0 Titanium
4 Potassium
33 Boron
11 Silicon
3 Sodium
3103 Calcuim
83 Magnesium
1120 Phosphorous
1288 Zinc
2 Barium
Vanadium
Antimony
65 to 76 SUS vis at 210 F
11.6-14.8 cSt at 100 C
>410 Flashpoint
<2 % Fuel
0% Antifreeze
<0.1 % Water (Karl Fischer)
<0.8 Insolubles
>1 TBN

I liked the Schaeffer - except for the lead numbers. Others have also seen lead increase w/ Schaeffer. I was not concerned at 8 pm lead, but when it went t 22, that bothered me.

If the Valvoline PBE caused the iron to go up, then I do not like it. If it was a combination of the PBE and my fuel additives, then the PBE may be a great oil under the right circumstances. Bottom line, I do not like my iron being at 68 ppm (but I am not panicking either).

Rotella T6 w/ ZDDP looks very good based on my limited results, but I know of at least one person (that I highly respect) say that his stiction is worse w/ the Rotella T6 (as compared to the Mobil 1 TTD).

So far, very few people have had anything negative to say about the Mobil 1 TTD.

As I said earlier, this is still a work in progress. It was meant for people to add on to it .... so we can all learn some things. In the mean time, I will continue w/ my testing.

 

Thank you sir ....

 

I've used delo400 since the dawn of time.I was going to go to schaeffer but now,I don't think so.thanks for the numbers bismic,I think ill stay where I'm at!.

 

Thanks for the info bismic.
This is so great data.
I am running the Valvoline PBE with 1 ZDDP added.
I used to run the Mobil 1 but I just can't find it any more.
Maybe I will swap to the Rotella T6 when I'm done with my stock of PBE.

 

Cool thread Bismic.
Looking forward to how the Molbile 5/40 syn holds up

 

Thanks for reporting your updates Bismic...

I believe your on the right track by changing one variable at a time and measuring the results.

BTW... I always believed the valvoline product was overrated due to a lackluster virgin oil analysis I've seen, but having said that doesn't mean your increase in iron was caused by this oil.

Looking forwards to your future updates and to lower iron UOA.

 

with all the lab reports I have seen all seem to have bit of varance to them. it make it hard for me to by into.
I have discovered one thing if you chnage your oil with fresh oil of a quality brand and correct ratings your engine will last longer and have fewer issues

 

Bismic,

Refresh my memory... why are you adding the "additive" to the Rotella-Syn 5W-40 oil when your using it and not with the other oils?

Seems like this would not be a fair "apples to apples" comparison of what each oil can do or not do on its own... as far as protection goes?

 

Thank you bismic!


Trust yet verify! I am not bashing bismic at all. Dont be so quick to believe the first bit of information you get.

Use it and get the oil tested after 5,000 miles of use and make your own conclusion from the results. Then post the results.

 

It's pretty tough to draw any conclusions testing one engine. Mileage can certainly account for some differences. Left over oil can discount other readings. Changing more than one variable can wipe out the rest.

A fleet is another story. 30 6.0s in 30 F250s driven in similar conditions could give you some usable numbers if, for example, you:

Run 10 with Mobil TDT 5w-40.
Run 10 with Rotella T6 5w-40.
Run 10 with Scheaffers 5w-40.

If all have the same maintenance schedules, you might be able to determine some trends and maybe figure out which oil is best for a 6.0. That's if you run each group with the same oil and do not change any variables for 100K to 200K.

The only thing I've been able to determine to any degree of certainty that I can start my truck much easier in colder temperatures with 5w-40 than 15-40. That means less wear on the engine and starter and batteries (which means better current to my FICM). That's enough for me to run Rotella T6 year 'round.

Often, I read posts discounting the value of 5w-40 oil in warm climates or during summer. Here in Northwest Wyoming, I have gone from +60F to +15F in 30 minutes. In Southern California, I can drive from Redondo Beach to Big Bear (elevation 7,200 ft.) in 3 hours. I've done that drive from 70F at the Beach to 0F in Big Bear. With 5w-40, I can stick to my normal oil change schedules no matter where I go with the exception of northern Canada or parts of Alaska.

I don't have have a fleet to test so the experiences of a master diesel tech like cheezit are much more valuable to me than a bunch of Blackstone reports on my sole truck.