Built Engine Blackstone Labs oil analysis report
 

With more and more people starting to build engine's on this forum I decide to share my oil analysis report. I have done 3 test so far during the last year I have been driving my boosted built engine. I have included some information that I copied for those that don't know how to read the report.


Below is a Sample on how to read the report:


After running several tests on the oil sample sent to them, the lab sends the customer a data sheet which reveals the condition of the oil and any problems occurring within the engine. The amount of engine wear that took place while using the oil is, to some degree, correlated to the amount of certain trace metals found in the used oil. A UOA will also show how much the oil sheared down with use, and if it is safe to use it or a longer oil change interval. A Used Oil Analysis also highlights the condition of the engine and identifies any potential problems that may be developing by detecting the presence of any dirt, anti-freeze, sludge or fuel in the oil.



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Where exactly do the traces of metals come from, and how do they indicate engine wear?
The most common metals in your used oil and where they might have come from are:
Iron: Comes from cylinder liner, camshaft, oil pump, and timing chain wear
Chromium: Comes from piston ring wear
Copper: Comes from bearings, valve guides, and bushings wear
Lead: Comes from bearing wear
Aluminum: Comes from piston and piston thrust bearing wear
Silver & Tin: Comes from bearing wear

Which metals are the most important to have low numbers?
I look for the lowest possible numbers of Lead, Copper, and Chromium in the oil sample to indicate better protection of critical areas. The bearings and piston rings are not just critical areas because of their function, they are critical to protect because they comprise a much smaller amount of the total engine mass than Iron and Aluminum parts. 5ppm wear of Lead off a relatively tiny bearing is a much higher percentage of wear than 5ppm of Iron from the crankshaft, camshafts, timing chain, etc... The same principle applies to the piston rings, where I consider 2ppm of Chromium to be high wear for such a small part.

Where do the other elements come from, and do they indicate engine wear?
The only other element to look for in low numbers, in addition to the wear metals listed above, is silicon. High silicon could mean a bad air or oil filter is not trapping dirt. The other trace elements are usually part of an additive package that oils use, and are not from engine wear. Looking at the numbers of these other elements can be useful in determining if a manufacturer has changed their formula, or to see what type of additives they use. The most common other elements found in an oil sample and what they commonly indicate are:
Silicon: dirt ingestion, sometimes used as an anti-foamant
Molybdenum: anti-wear additive and friction reducer
Boron: anti-wear additive and friction reducer
Calcium: common additive with many functions, primarily a detergent
Magnesium: common additive with many functions
Phosphorous: anti-wear additive and friction reducer, shear stabilizer
Zinc: anti-wear additive and friction reducer, shear stabilizer

What do the viscosity numbers mean, and how do I read them?
The viscosity numbers are from a specific test to determine the viscosity of an oil at a given temperature, as measured in cSt (centistokes). A higher number means a thicker oil at operating temperature, and a lower number means a thinner oil at operating temperature. A higher or lower number is neither good or bad in and of itself; it is merely a measure of the oil’s viscosity. Some oils thinned out, or sheared, from use and became thinner than their original grade.

Are higher or lower TBN numbers better, and why don’t all the UOAs in this thread have a TBN number?
All engine oils break down with use and time. The result is an accumulation of acids in the oil. These acids are what form sludge. The oil’s base stock and the additives in the oil work together to help prevent sludge from forming. The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of how well the formulation is working to fight sludge and acid build-up. A high TBN means there is still more base than acid in the used oil and is therefore a good indication of how robust the oil is for extending the oil change interval. It usually costs extra to get a TBN test done, so not all of the samples have a TBN value.



My Report:


All 3 test results are shown on this last sample that I sent in this is over 1 year of driving around 17K miles . The first test I had used C16 witch is the reason lead is so I have done a bunch of oil changes just to get it out of the oil.


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As you can see Bullet is holding up pretty good so far knock on wood.

brand of oil used?

I have switched a few times over the course first I used Mobil 1 5W30 ,and was recommended to switch to a thicker oil and did after the second sample. I am now using Amsoil 5W40 witch is what was used for this report.

So it looks like the experts at Blackstone provide a summary of the results. I would not be able to tell heads from tails with just the values.

I was thinking about doing this to see if I could go longing without changing my oil.haha Can they determine that in the test results you have posted or is it an extra?

One thing jumped out at me, the drop on viscosity at 210 F

Our engines see 220 all the time. A good reason to use the best oil you can.

One thing about my engine is I don't see over 200 much at all with the 34 row oil cooler I have. My first two reports with Mobil 1 5W30 the viscosity numbers at 210 were worse so I am headed in the right direction. I will keep at it tell I find the best oil for my engine.

I updated the first post with some information on how to read the report

nice info!