Oil Analysis Results

[m3f_Evtron]

Just received my oil analysis from Blackstone:







Everything looks good except for iron and copper. While they're obviously above the average, what's unclear to me is just how severe these numbers are. Is this a red flag?



The report says "It's not all that bad, really," however I'm about to take the oil pan off and I'm debating replacing the rod bearings while I'm in there.



For additional context, oil pressure is at 6psi at hot idle (oil light flicker). Engine has 177k miles. I'm having my oil pump rebuilt and upgraded by Achilles, and I'm installing a Z3 pick up tube as well as an Achilles baffle.

[m3f_suaveflooder]

Just received my oil analysis from Blackstone:





Everything looks good except for iron and copper. While they're obviously above the average, what's unclear to me is just how severe these numbers are. Is this a red flag?


The report says "It's not all that bad, really," however I'm about to take the oil pan off and I'm debating replacing the rod bearings while I'm in there.


For additional context, oil pressure is at 6psi at hot idle (oil light flicker). Engine has 177k miles. I'm having my oil pump rebuilt and upgraded by Achilles, and I'm installing a Z3 pick up tube as well as an Achilles baffle.

My numbers looked similar and there was just a little copper showing on one of my bearings. If you are in there, honestly, there is no reason not to do the rodbearings at the same time. It would suck to have to do them in 20k miles after just having the oil pan dropped. Mine were done at 181k miles.


Edit: and yes, I know it's in an E36 and not E46.

[m3f_TheJDub-E36]

My last 6 tests the iron has been between 30-40.


I used to do oil changes every 4500 but now I'm doing 3000 and iron looks like it's dropping a little.


I also had a big spike in iron after I did cams but that's typical.

[m3f_Evtron]

If you are in there, honestly, there is no reason not to do the rodbearings at the same time. It would suck to have to do them in 20k miles after just having the oil pan dropped.

Yes, that would indeed suck. While I really want to tear into a motor and learn to rebuild, I'd definitely like to get more than 20k out of it beforehand. This seems like a good starting point. Just gotta stay cool and think positive.

My last 6 tests the iron has been between 30-40.


I used to do oil changes every 4500 but now I'm doing 3000 and iron looks like it's dropping a little.


I also had a big spike in iron after I did cams but that's typical.

Thank you for the data point


While we're at it, does it make sense to use coated bearings? I've been searching over the past few days, figured I'd ask here while we're on topic. Car will be used for auto-x and HPDE.


I'm struggling to find information on bearing clearances, can someone please point me in the right direction? Kinda surprised there's nothing related mentioned in the Bentley.


Cheers

[m3f_suaveflooder]

Yes, that would indeed suck. While I really want to tear into a motor and learn to rebuild, I'd definitely like to get more than 20k out of it beforehand. This seems like a good starting point. Just gotta stay cool and think positive.

As you get going on dropping that pan, you will find out, it's quite a bit of work to drop it and get down there. All said and done, rod bearings aren't crazy expensive to purchase and since you will already have it dropped, you might as well do it. You will literally be staring at them with the oil pump out of the way. 20k miles was probably well under what you would actually get. I don't rememver hearing that E36's had rod bearing problems and it's not a strung out motor like the S54, so that would give you more time, but would you really want to get back down there again? First time you do it, it will probably take a couple days.


If your oil pressure wasn't low and you weren't tearing into the oil pan, I would have probably said leave it and keep an eye on the OA. Perfect time to get them done if you are already down there.


Edit: Love your car, by the way! Miss my Arctic Silver Sedan.

[m3f_Evtron]

Thanks dude! Yeah hard to argue with sound logic. Bearings it is.


I still cant find bearing clearance specs, if anyone knows where to find them please chime in!

[m3f_Evtron]

Finally found what I was looking for, S52 specs listed here.

[m3f_JGard]

oh man, I don't envy your having to do the oil pan. I just did mine a few months ago, I believe we discussed that already. Best tip I can give you: make sure you torque all the oil pan bolts to spec as you install. I did not and had some seepage. So I went back under to torque down what I could without removing the subframe and it was a *****. I also snapped one of the bolts. Fortunately no more oil leaking, though.


And with your low oil pressure, I think the Z3 pickup tube should help. I did that, too. One of the bolts is a real pain to get at, but not impossible. If you need someone to swing by to point at things that need to be removed, let me know. haha

[m3f_Evtron]

Thanks man! Tear down to begin this week, I only have a few hours a week to spare so progress will be slow. I'll PM you if I get stuck.

[m3f_Nate047]

Good info in here. I am planning on sending a sample to these guys in another couple hundred miles or so. They recommended I wait until I had put about a thousand miles on after changing some parts. Long story short I've been chasing a phantom oil pressure issue, and while it APPEARS that all is well and it was likely a blockage in one of the oil squirters, I want to make sure by doing this as my last step. Thank you for sharing.