Oil analysis - should I be concerned??

[m3f_white-hot]

Ok, so I finally decided to get an analysis of my oil, figuring the car is getting up there with 140k miles and all. Always been very religious about oil changes, always use high quality synthetic oil (this sample was Mobil1 0W40), but was curious anyway. Well, report is attached below. Most of the numbers dealing with bearings are elevated so that has me worried. I have been changing between 4k and 4.5k miles for years with synthetic oil and now I am wondering if I should change more often.



I will have to say that I drive the piss out of this car, and it has seen lots of autoX action in the past (not only by me, but both of the last 2 PO’s have had this as a dedicated autoX car), though none on this oil IIRC. Hoping to hear from others that have been getting oil checked to see how this compares. Thanks



BTW due to costs and the inability to find 4-5 quart jugs of Mobil1 0W40 anywhere I have switched to Shell Rotella T6 5W40. I know a number of you guys use this so I wanted to give it a shot. Saved over a $1 a quart so I can get the 8 quarts and a filter for the price of just the oil before. Penny saved….

[m3f_xmetrix]

I'd say 4.5k miles is kinda short for full synthetic... unless you drive with a lead foot or your car sees alot of WOT driving, i'd change it 4-7k miles just my opinion. They mention bearing wear, would get a leakdown test and compression test. at that mileage JUST for historical purposes. like a point in the cars life where you know certain specs. Wouldn't cost more than a few hours of your time as pepboys has free loaner tools to do the job.

[m3f_white-hot]

I'd say 4.5k miles is kinda short for full synthetic... unless you drive with a lead foot or your car sees alot of WOT driving, i'd change it 4-7k miles just my opinion. They mention bearing wear, would get a leakdown test and compression test. at that mileage JUST for historical purposes. like a point in the cars life where you know certain specs. Wouldn't cost more than a few hours of your time as pepboys has free loaner tools to do the job.

Interesting. So you're saying since there appears to be bearing wear I should get a compression test and leak-down test done? Good idea, thanks.

[m3f_propchef]

So, my I was doing some research a few months ago about a condition I have. I asked my Dr. if I should have this very detailed, expensive test I was reading about. My Dr. said:


1. Yes, we can do that. But you've never had it done so we don't have anything to compare it against.


2. If it shows something minuscule that we missed before, then what? Should we change treatment? Ignore it? Worry? We won't know exactly what it means, so we won't know how to proceed.


Keep an eye on it. Test again in 5-6k miles or whatever your interval is. Take the car to redline daily and have fun.

[m3f_aeronaut]

Compression test won't reveal anything relative to bearing wear. Oil test are useless as a one time analysis unless there is something VERY wrong. Trends are what you're looking for.

[m3f_hencini]

I'd say 4.5k miles is kinda short for full synthetic... unless you drive with a lead foot or your car sees alot of WOT driving, i'd change it 4-7k miles just my opinion. They mention bearing wear, would get a leakdown test and compression test. at that mileage JUST for historical purposes. like a point in the cars life where you know certain specs. Wouldn't cost more than a few hours of your time as pepboys has free loaner tools to do the job.

Why would a leakdown or compression test be relevant to a guy who is concerned about bearing wear?

[m3f_cscat87]

Getting mine done at the next change (same intervals and same oil) but with 170k on the motor. We can compare results when I get it back from Blackstone.

[m3f_roarE36M3]

been meaning to get an analysis on mine. maybe next change i'll send in.

[m3f_284Shooter]

Here's about an hours worth of reading. Sorry for the cross posting:



Please note the mileage on this engine:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ght=blackstone





http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ght=blackstone

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ght=blackstone

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ght=blackstone



an few S54's to complare it to:



http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ght=blackstone

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ght=blackstone

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ght=blackstone



If you're really concerned, do a oil pressure test cold and hot and make sure your pressures are good. If it was mine (I have 173k) and I wasn't having issues, I'd just change the oil at 3500 miles and enjoy the car.

[m3f_white-hot]

So, my I was doing some research a few months ago about a condition I have....

I get what you are saying. I just saw those numbers and I guess it was a knee-jerk response to start sweating. Most everything else on the sheet looked great, so guess I will just have to see how the next one turns out.

Take the car to redline daily and have fun.

Not a problem!

[m3f_anarekist]

i take everything xmetrix says with a grain a salt.

[m3f_TC2]

I wouldn't be too worried since this was your first oil analysis.

Same thing happened when I sent in the first oil sample for the Z3.

It came back that the oil sample had an unusual high level of copper, which they said was the result of bearing wear.

The next oil change, the levels dropped a bit, and Blackstone said it seems the engine is running fine.

Keep up with your oil changes and wait to see what the next reports show.

[m3f_Jimmy Rustles]

I'd say 4.5k miles is kinda short for full synthetic... unless you drive with a lead foot or your car sees alot of WOT driving, i'd change it 4-7k miles just my opinion. They mention bearing wear, would get a leakdown test and compression test. at that mileage JUST for historical purposes. like a point in the cars life where you know certain specs. Wouldn't cost more than a few hours of your time as pepboys has free loaner tools to do the job.

Good advice. Not only should you do a leakdown and compression check to test the bearings, but you should also check your shifter heatshielding. Excessive wear on your bearings and a warm shifter are two very high risk scenarios for your car.

[m3f_FNS_M3]

Good advice. Not only should you do a leakdown and compression check to test the bearings, but you should also check your shifter heatshielding. Excessive wear on your bearings and a warm shifter are two very high risk scenarios for your car.

maybe I'm crazy, but what does the heatshield have to do with internal bearing wear?

[m3f_hencini]

maybe I'm crazy, but what does the heatshield have to do with internal bearing wear?

A warm shift lever is generally indicative of serious bearing wear. Or worse.