After 2500 miles.....
 

Ok, I made the change to Motul 300v 5w30 with an K&N oil filter at the 2500 mile mark. Now let me ask you all for a recommendation.

I want to send an oil sample to Blackstone. Now even thought I just spent about a hundred bucks between the oil and filter, I'm still going change my oil every 3000 miles..What can I say, either I'm a sucker for wasting money or I just want the best $hit for my car.. So anyway, should I gather an oil sample at my next oil change and send it? (at 5500 miles). Or should I gather a sample at 8500? I guess I'm not sure if the analysis will be accurate after 3000 miles.

So what do ya think?

Both.

Ok then, both it is!! I will report back with results. Thank you.

also im not sure how it works but blackstone can tell you how much oil life is left depending on what you pay? i cant remember.

but on alot of UOA they say your oil could have went alot more miles dont change it as often or change it more often. And some they dont mention.

I suspect its how much you pay though.

I think starting a separate thread on oils may be best instead of clogging up this DIY... just a thought. :ugh2:

That's the TBN number, it's an optional add-on for more $$ per anaylsis at Blackstone. Ripped from A Quick Guide to Oil Analysis Tests :

The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the reserve alkalinity in engine oils. Because acids form in the oil (sulfates and nitrates), lubricants are manufactured with a high alkaline count to counteract the acids. TBN should never be a problem if the proper lubricant change intervals are followed. If the change intervals are lengthened too much or skipped, then acids that form will consume the alkaline reserve of the lubricant and advanced corrosion of the engine parts will ensue.

Drain plug washer.
 

Hi all,
the magnetic drain plug that I bought came with a solid washer.
Am I supposed to disregard this and just use the copper crush washer
that I bought from the dealer? Or use both?

thanks.

I simply used the copper one from the dealer. I don't see any point of using both.

What about just grabing some neodynium magnets from an old hard drive and sticking them on the side of your oil filter? And isn't the magnet only going to pick up steel? I'm assuming a lot of alloys aren't magnetic....

If you've got as much crap as those magnets picked up in that picture you've got some serious issues.....

Any ferric (iron containing) material, or any thing like cobalt, nickel (the only metals that are capable of magnetism) will be picked up. My guess is that those contaminants will also trap aluminum simply because of the way oil is going to be pressed against the piles that will eventually accumulate.

I had the same thought about magnets out of old hard drives. I have a ton of them. Can't hurt to put a couple on the oil filter...

You could probably also just zip tie them on, so a little shake doesn't pop them right off. A ring clamp or etc might suffice too.

One day ALL step-by-step guides will be as beautiful as this one!

Thank you Chubbs, :tiphat:

neodynium magnets won't come off unless you force them off by sliding them to a hard edge and prying them off. Try sticking one to your fridge and you'll see what I mean. ;)