Used Oil Analysis

NocheDeZippeh · 05-29-2018, 10:11 PM

My recent used oil analyses have shown a disconcerting jump in aluminum, and I'm trying to figure out why. The Blackstone report done at 36K miles with BMW 5w30 oil looked fine (aluminum = 2), but the reports at 53K and 57K with Red Line 5w30 show it going to 9, then 18, while the other wear metals actually went down. I have always been religious about keeping the revs under 3k rpm until the oil temp gets above 180F. The car (X1 35i) is not really a daily driver - it is mainly used for longer (>50 miles) trips. Doesn't seem likely that its due to the Red Line, but who knows? Anyone have any ideas as to what might be up?

xxMike61 · 05-29-2018, 10:24 PM

From blackstone lab- Aluminum can come from any of the following: pistons, turbo bearings, or head or block of the engine. Does it drive fine?

NocheDeZippeh · 05-29-2018, 11:31 PM

The engine seems to run fine - not much to report there. Blackstone asked if there was an "operational factor" or "operational changes" that could be the cause. This seems like a stretch, but during both oil runs there were some cold un-garaged starts in ~15F weather, and one mostly coasting drive down from Tahoe to Reno in 8F weather where the oil temp dropped to ~170F. I'm currently thinking of changing out the oil (Red Line) now at 1800 miles, and having Blackstone test it while changing back to BMW 5w30.

Pladi · 05-30-2018, 09:28 AM

To me it seems pretty straight FW actually. Am I the only one who sees a relationship between oil and wear ? I know its such a controversial topic and it could be a coincidence but if i owned the car i would switch to 5W-30 BMW very quickly. It could be that your engine doesnt quite like the red line oil.. i know they make phenomenal oil but..

dleccord · 05-30-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

To me it seems pretty straight FW actually. Am I the only one who sees a relationship between oil and wear ? I know its such a controversial topic and it could be a coincidence but if i owned the car i would switch to 5W-30 BMW very quickly. It could be that your engine doesnt quite like the red line oil.. i know they make phenomenal oil but..

As opposed to 0-40?

Welcome to NBA Jam · 05-30-2018, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

To me it seems pretty straight FW actually. Am I the only one who sees a relationship between oil and wear ? I know its such a controversial topic and it could be a coincidence but if i owned the car i would switch to 5W-30 BMW very quickly. It could be that your engine doesnt quite like the red line oil.. i know they make phenomenal oil but..

Redline 5w30 an LL-01 oil approved by BMW. It would be a good idea to try and devise a cause-and-effect relationship by switching back to your original oil, running the same distance, and doing another UOA.

Pladi · 05-31-2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Redline 5w30 an LL-01 oil approved by BMW. It would be a good idea to try and devise a cause-and-effect relationship by switching back to your original oil, running the same distance, and doing another UOA.

yeah thats exactly it

NocheDeZippeh · 05-31-2018, 12:37 PM

That’s the plan for now. I’ve got some BMW 5w30 coming Tuesday from ECS Tuning (nearest dealer is 2+ hours away). Then do an oil/filter change and send a sample of the current Red Line oil (with ~1800 miles on it) to Blackstone just to see what it shows. I'll run the BMW oil for about 3500 miles then have it tested.

The hope is that it will show the aluminum levels back in the normal range, so the finger would be pointing at the Red Line as the culprit. But if aluminum levels are still elevated, and the Red Line thus exonerated, I’ll be at a loss. A sphincter-tightening scenario now that I’m flying commando post-warranty, but I guess I’ll jump off that bridge when I come to it.

05-29-2018, 10:11 PM	#1
NocheDeZippeh Private 28 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Used Oil Analysis - High Aluminum My recent used oil analyses have shown a disconcerting jump in aluminum, and I'm trying to figure out why. The Blackstone report done at 36K miles with BMW 5w30 oil looked fine (aluminum = 2), but the reports at 53K and 57K with Red Line 5w30 show it going to 9, then 18, while the other wear metals actually went down. I have always been religious about keeping the revs under 3k rpm until the oil temp gets above 180F. The car (X1 35i) is not really a daily driver - it is mainly used for longer (>50 miles) trips. Doesn't seem likely that its due to the Red Line, but who knows? Anyone have any ideas as to what might be up? Attached Images Last edited by NocheDeZippeh; 05-29-2018 at 10:36 PM..
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05-29-2018, 10:24 PM	#2
xxMike61 First Lieutenant 78 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	From blackstone lab- Aluminum can come from any of the following: pistons, turbo bearings, or head or block of the engine. Does it drive fine? __________________ 2011 335i M-Sport E92 MHD E30 \| Phoenix Racing CP \| K&N Drop In Air Filter \|Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP \| xHP Stage 3 \| VRSF DP \| ARM 5" FMIC + Hose Upgrades \| GFB DV+ \| VMR 19" v703
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05-29-2018, 11:31 PM	#3
NocheDeZippeh Private 28 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The engine seems to run fine - not much to report there. Blackstone asked if there was an "operational factor" or "operational changes" that could be the cause. This seems like a stretch, but during both oil runs there were some cold un-garaged starts in ~15F weather, and one mostly coasting drive down from Tahoe to Reno in 8F weather where the oil temp dropped to ~170F. I'm currently thinking of changing out the oil (Red Line) now at 1800 miles, and having Blackstone test it while changing back to BMW 5w30.
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05-30-2018, 09:28 AM	#4
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	To me it seems pretty straight FW actually. Am I the only one who sees a relationship between oil and wear ? I know its such a controversial topic and it could be a coincidence but if i owned the car i would switch to 5W-30 BMW very quickly. It could be that your engine doesnt quite like the red line oil.. i know they make phenomenal oil but..
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05-31-2018, 12:37 PM	#8
NocheDeZippeh Private 28 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	That’s the plan for now. I’ve got some BMW 5w30 coming Tuesday from ECS Tuning (nearest dealer is 2+ hours away). Then do an oil/filter change and send a sample of the current Red Line oil (with ~1800 miles on it) to Blackstone just to see what it shows. I'll run the BMW oil for about 3500 miles then have it tested. The hope is that it will show the aluminum levels back in the normal range, so the finger would be pointing at the Red Line as the culprit. But if aluminum levels are still elevated, and the Red Line thus exonerated, I’ll be at a loss. A sphincter-tightening scenario now that I’m flying commando post-warranty, but I guess I’ll jump off that bridge when I come to it.
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