Oil Analysis - Who Can Read The Results

[Duncan]

I took the race car back to the workshop because the turbos were blown - noisey whistle as they spooled up.

Turbos showed evidence of oil starvation so I got an oil analysis done. results below.

This is on a 7 day old production race motor.

The main thing I understand is the smiley face.

Also interested to hear from anyone who does regular oil analysis as part of a preventative schedule

[zebra]

It has a sad smiley Dunc, that can't be good!

Have you always run the Redline oil, or have your failures been on different oil?

[PM-R33]

Fucking lol at the smiley face.

Out of curiousity, what did the oil analysis set you back?

[Duncan]

It does have a sad smiley. And I think 94x the acceptable level of bearing material might be a sign too.

No I have never used the redline oil before. Interesting that their analysis shows it is outside the expected range for 15w50 at 100oC. Whatever the expected range is at 100oC

[Duncan]

oil analysis was $58. Oil change is $120 for oil and filter, + labour. Which is why I was wondering about people using them on a preventative basis. I intend to.

[zebra]

I wonder why there is a shit load of lead in the oil?

Unless you are doing the sneaky sneaky and running Sunoco MaxNos lol

Is this the same block you have always been using? or is it a different block to the others you have killed?

[PM-R33]

Shit, that's not a bad price for the oil analysis, I would have thought it would be more. I wouldn't mind doing one with the new Dimple sump plug.

Also, where can I get my hands on your engine: RB2BPETT lol

[Duncan]

lol at strange engine number. not sure what the P stands for either.

I assume copper and lead make up tri metal ACL bearings. that is why i was wondering who knows how to read/explain these things.

The block is a virgin in my use, although it was second hand and machined including 0.5mm overbore before this use.

[zebra]

Ah yeah you could be right about the bearings.

What about the crank? Is there anything common between these engines you kill? and I mean anything at all.

[Strik3r]

not good duncan. I'll point Dan to this thread as he does all of my oil analysis and has had some in depth discussions with the oil test guys, but i think you have already in the nail on the head with the copper/lead being the different layers of the bearings.

The change in oil viscocity could be due to fuel dilution. 7.2% is quite high (i think mine is around 3.5-4%) and would have a significant impact on the viscocity of the oil.

p.s. we use WearCheck for our oil analysis, and i think they are a bit cheaper than that ($40 or less a pop if memory serves)

Edited December 10, 2010 by Strik3r

[Duncan]

yeah I found that interesting too. 2x the acceptable level of fuel. petrol is not a good lubricant.

zeb, it is an entirely new bottom end, head was machined and re-used from an old motor, not the last one. unlikely (but never impossible) that it is related to a single bad part.

[zebra]

what about the clutch/flywheel or gearbox input shaft?

Something must be causing the crank to not move the way it should, not saying this engine is dead as I can understand bearing material wiping off in the 1st few hours of engine start.

But the fact that it keeps picking up bearings tells me that there is something not quite right.

[Duncan]

indeed. new clutch and flywheel on this motor. same gearbox for years but new spigot bush, and they are all outside the sump anyway. FWIW also new harmonic balancer on this motor

[zebra]

Well I would say once the turbos go back on, give it a good run with new oil and test the oil again, fingers crossed it doesnt run a bearing in the mean time.

Oh btw did you find out what was causing the over heating on the last motor?

I'm thinking that the dead turbos maybe caused by the same thing? maybe the turbo oil and water lines are a bit blocked?

Oh and what i meant by the gearbox, is that the input shaft is not gun barrel straight it may be causing the back of the crank to move up and down.

Its a long shot, but may be possible

LOL I feel like I'm on myth Busters.

[Duncan]

yeah but that would cause big spigot wear first right

overheating on the last motor was due to coolant loss (ie pressure test would have found the problem, but I never did one). eventually it did a head gasket from overheating which is fair enough.

BTW I don't want to give the impression I have had lots of spun bearing motors. I have had a few but reasons for each (oil system mistake, bearing clearance mistake and original factory motor). Also killed one with a dying fuel pump causing pinging. Killed 2 from overheating (both dead head gaskets - the one above and one because the radiator was too short for factory mounts).

The real question is - what does this analysis tell me other than the obvious (ie bearings are f**ked). No chance I am running the motor without tearing it down.

[Supa Steve]

Easy one, dirty build mate.

See the iron content, thats your engine hone floating around in your oil. Id also go as far to say the cross block oil feed was partially blocked by bearing material from its previous life (engine that spun bearing) this also crosses with the evidence.

Id be keen to see the bearing wear especially the mains close to the centre of the block (3,4,5).

The fuel levels are also a concern, does whoever tune this thing want the rings to never bed in properly?

Edited December 10, 2010 by Supa Steve

[zebra]

Ah yeah fair enough, I was there at OP when the head gasket went...you should remember you forgot my seat! lol

I thought you had a few more die than that, that were un-explained, but if you know the causes than Ima shut up lol

[Duncan]

thanks supa steve. BTW I am not sure of the previous life of this particular block, it may or may not have had a spun bearing before. I got it second hand and machined it.

oilcheck site suggests alumnium and silica are signs of dirt, mine are both outside normal but not flagged as critical like the bearing indicators. not arguing, just trying to learn....

[O2 Autosports]

I get my oil tested, haven't had one like that yet luckily.

[zebra]

Did you have the block hot tanked before machining?