awrryan

I started tracking my car about 2 years ago. I have always used Mobil1 0w-40. I always change the oil and filter every 5,000.00 except that, after I started to track the car, I would change the oil immediately after the 4th track day regardless of mileage. I live in South Florida and I track the car at Homestead, PBIR and Sebring (warmer climate tracks). I recently decided to switch to Mobil1 5w-50 (Porsche A40 Approved) just as a precaution after reading some of LexVan's posts and sent in my first oil sample to Blackstone for analysis. Results came back good and thought I would share them for others. Editing this post to add that I have 12 track days on the car so far and I do not take it easy on the car otherwise. I don't drive like an animal on the road, but I routinely run the car to 7,000 rpm

smbryan

Huh? The recommended oil is Mobil 1 0W-40. Why did you switch? The total mileage is pertinent as well.

LexVan

There are over 100 Porsche A40 approved oils. Not just Mobil 0W40.

There are also 3 approved viscosities:

0W40
5W40
5W50 (only Mobil's)

What do you mean by "total mileage is pertinent"? Pertinent to what? Explain. Thanks.

awrryan

991carreradriver

I have used Balckstone's oil analysis service for 20 years on my piston aircraft engines. I don't understand the value of doing this for an auto engine. Its not like you are going to fall out of the sky with an auto engine failure. Periodic scoping and compression testing will accomplish far more in determining an auto engines wear and health.

LexVan

Awrryan, very good report. I suspect with the Mobil 5W50 your Iron and Copper will drop a little. With similar mileage and interval, my Alum is just about the same as yours (3 vs 4 ppm). My Iron and Copper are exactly 1/2 of your numbers. Regardless, yours are low, and well within spec.

Only other suggestion is to add the L&N Billet Oil Drain Plug. May help further to lower your iron number. Caution, the torque spec on the L&N plug is a very low-low 19ft.lbs.

awrryan

awrryan

991carreradriver

No, I was not joking. I don't see the value that you are going to obtain in the long run. If your engine starts making metal - what are going to do? Probably nothing. If you detect oil blow by, what are going to do - probably nothing. You might order up another test to make sure the oil was not contaminated. Should the results reappear then a compression test and a scoping. On the other hand, when an aircraft engine starts making metal - you will do something because your life and more importantly your pax's lives are on the line. I am not saying the knowledge you will obtain is not helpful, I just don't see a cost / benefit. Blackstone is a great lab and and great service, however I think that auto oil engine analysis is a bit over the top. Just my opinion.

StormRune

I get the Blackstone reports and see two benefits beyond just peace of mind. Keep in mind that the cost is astoundingly low at less than thirty dollars.

First, when I was running 0W-40 Mobil 1 the viscosity reading from Blackstone came in below the recommended range with less than 5000 miles on the oil. So that helped me decide to switch to 5W-50 Mobil 1. After that the viscosity readings where right in the middle of the recommended range and the additive levels were much improved too. I wouldn't have known to do this without the report, likely improving the lifespan of the engine.

Second, if the car is still under warranty it gives you an idea of whether there is a problem that should be addressed before the car goes out of warranty. The cost of out-of-warranty core engine repairs is stunning.

Rennolazine

I thought tracking the car can cause problems with warranty in the first place. Maybe im misreading the warranty literature.

StormRune

It's my understanding that manufacturers will always tend to list the lowest number that is safe in the broadest range of climates as the default number since it will tend to improve overall fleet gas mileage ratings a little. Like LexVan points out, they also list higher viscosity oils as an good alternative for those of us that live in hotter climates like OP's Florida (or central Texas for me), or those that are doing extended hard driving with their car. On days when it is 110 here I feel a lot better having a little heavier oil in my car.

limegreen

I 100% agree with this. Oil analysis has been all the rage on automotive enthusiasts forums for years and I fail to understand the purpose. IF the car is being maintained properly , which I'm sure most members on this forum are guilty of over doing there is frankly nothing to worry about or better yet little to be accomplished by analyzing engine wear at that level. Cutting a used oil filter open will tell you all you need to know with a questionable , tired , worn out engine which I'm sure none of us here have if were talking 991's .

I'd also love to hear the roaring laughter at the dealership service counter when someone walks in with a Blackstone sheet prior to their warranty expiration demanding an engine rebuild!

StormRune

So OP started the thread to share a Blackstone report for those interested in such things. I appreciate this, it is good info for those of us interested in these. Why anyone feels compelled to s**t on his thread when he wasn't asking whether his test was worth taking or not has me once again wondering where good manners have gone.

I would say the bigger laugh would could from someone paying $35k+ for a new engine when a cheap $25 test could have detected the problem before the warranty ran out. Once the test shows a potential problem, a follow-up with a scope or whatever further diagnostic measure would be done would certainly be a prudent step.

9914s