RB26powered74zcar Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 (edited) I recently bought and used one of these kits where you send in a sample of your used motor oil, and they send you back a print out of the results. My question is, what the heck does their results mean? Ant one want to take a stab at the results for me, since I'm just a lay person when it comes to this kind of stuff... Edited August 21, 2010 by J. Soileau RB26zcar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 (edited) I found this site that might provide some info for you... Interpreting Oil Analysis How are you doing? Haven't seen you since the last time you were at Reynolds... There are probably other sites out there w/info. Edited August 22, 2010 by Brad-ManQ45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted August 22, 2010 Author Share Posted August 22, 2010 I found this site that might provide some info for you... Interpreting Oil Analysis How are you doing? Haven't seen you since the last time you were at Reynolds... There are probably other sites out there w/info. Thanks B. I'm getting by. Yea, we are all due for another large get together again, soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 That document would be a whole lot more useful if it had units. E.g. They've highlighted the viscosity as being too high, but without any units its impossible to translate that number of 13.5 at the `hot' measurement to what it means in terms of SAE weight. Maybe ring them back and ask them? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Think the units are on the back of the printout... PPM or something like that. I have a full box of these left over from compressor business. I think they charge like $30 a pop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Oil samples are most useful when you do them on a regular interval and establish a baseline for your motor, as you use it. As you do more samples and your baseline gets better, you can spot a spike in something which indicates a problem. The combo of oil samples and oil filter inspection really give you a good window into the engine. This works really well at spotting long term wear trends, and sometimes alerts you to a coming catastrophe. For a first sample, yours looks fine to me. The increased viscosity can be from the age of the oil, or more likely soot contamination, generally from some blowby, pretty common on high performance turbo engines. The units are in parts per million on all the samples I've seen. Is the rb26 a roller or flat tappet engine? If flat, you need a oil with more zinc that that. jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 (edited) Joel, what oil do you use? Jt's comment about zinc isn't the first time I've heard that recommendation when running a solid valve train. I have a relatively new Isky cam in my L28 and there have been no wear issues so far. Maybe it's time to add zinc. I'll check my local parts store. EDIT: Nevermind on the oil question... I scrolled to the right and I see you use Mobil1 10w30 synthetic. Exact same oil I use! Edited October 18, 2010 by jgkurz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Oil samples are most useful when you do them on a regular interval and establish a baseline for your motor, as you use it. As you do more samples and your baseline gets better, you can spot a spike in something which indicates a problem. The combo of oil samples and oil filter inspection really give you a good window into the engine. This works really well at spotting long term wear trends, and sometimes alerts you to a coming catastrophe. For a first sample, yours looks fine to me. The increased viscosity can be from the age of the oil, or more likely soot contamination, generally from some blowby, pretty common on high performance turbo engines. The units are in parts per million on all the samples I've seen. Is the rb26 a roller or flat tappet engine? If flat, you need a oil with more zinc that that. jt Jt, what zinc level would be normal to avoid premature wear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 (edited) You see a lot of different opinions about how much zinc is needed, and truthfully it varies. The material used in the cam and lifters, the rate of the ramps on the cam, valvetrain weight, lifter rotation, and valve spring pressure all figure in to some degree, with the ramps and springs probably the largest factors. Stock valve springs and stock cam will probably run a long time on 500ppm. If the cam and springs are upgraded much from stock, 1200 ppm seems to be a general concensus. You can add an additive to the oil, or run some of the specialty oils that still have zinc, like Penn, Gibbs, or VR1. Right now I'm using a 50/50 mix of Mobil 1 15W50 and Mobil 1 20W50 V twin. The EPA hasn't hammered the harley boys yet. I'm a big fan of the Mobil 1. They used to show the zinc levels on their website, but it doesn't seem to be there anymore. jt Edited October 18, 2010 by jt1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Thanks JT! I run Mobil1 10w30 for everyday use and Mobil15w50 for track days. Guess I better add a zinc additive so my cam stays in good shape... Edited October 20, 2010 by jgkurz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Thank You for that info also. I will pick me up some Mobil 1 20W50 V twin oil asap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Found it: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Found it: http://www.mobiloil....oduct_Guide.pdf jt Great, thanks!! Looks like I'll be ok getting the Mobil 1 15w50w. That one has the highest zinc levels... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 I went ahead and picked up 3 bottles of this Torco zinc additive. This will cover me for the next 3 oil changes.... Torco eBay link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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