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      07-23-2008, 03:41 PM   #1
JD135i
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Blackstone Labs oil analysis

I changed my oil at about 2,700 miles. I took a sample (after it had flowed for a few seconds) and sent the sample in to Blackstone Labs for an analysis. The attached .jpg is a scan of the report. I highlighted in yellow the values that are in bold on the report as it's a little tough to see after I converted it to a jpg.

I really don't know whether this report does, or does not, suggest that BMW's initial 15,000 mile oil change recommendation is too long.

Basically, the oil showed excess wear levels of aluminum, iron, copper and silicon. BUT - the lab said "don't be alarmed" by this, as it is common for new engines. (The metals are from the break-in process and the silicon from the casting process for some parts.)

The lab also said that the "TBN" level (which I think means total base-neutrals) was 4.2 "so you still had plenty of active additive remaining. 1.0 is low."

So: The oil had high metal levels, but we're still only talking about a few dozens of parts per million. The oil's additive components were still in good shape. As a technical matter, I don't know whether the relatively high parts per million of metals in the oil would reduce the effectiveness of the oil, such that it needed to be changed or not. But for me, I'm glad I did it.

I'll change the oil again at around 8,500 and see what comes back from Blackstone then.
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      07-23-2008, 04:15 PM   #2
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So I am not an engineer or anything, but this to me looks reassuring that the oil probably could hold up longer than 3000 miles for the first change
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      07-23-2008, 04:37 PM   #3
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It reasserts what's been presented before - the oil itself is fine. You would do quite well if you just changed the filter.
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      07-23-2008, 05:01 PM   #4
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I was waiting for someone to send in a sample.

I do this for my scooby and it helped me a lot. Especially when I found out the Mobil 1 5w30 was not working out so well. High numbers in copper and lead were a sure sign of bearing wear. I switched to German Castrol and number immediately went down to acceptable wear limits.
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      07-23-2008, 05:06 PM   #5
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Guys on E90 have gone out to 7,000 miles and the oil was still OK, but not for too much longer.
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      07-24-2008, 12:31 AM   #6
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since the bmw oil replacement plan is for 15k i decided to go aim for every 7500 miles. that way i'm not changing it too much but still an acceptable amount for a synthetic in a turbocharged car.
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      07-24-2008, 12:36 AM   #7
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WHERE IS YOUR CONTROL sample?
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      07-24-2008, 09:54 AM   #8
JD135i
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Control sample is . . .

somewhere in Germany, where they filled the engine with the oil that I tested. :smile:
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      07-24-2008, 10:06 AM   #9
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I see, so you have nothing to compare this results to.
It would be interesting to see what was in it prior to use.
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      07-24-2008, 10:21 AM   #10
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Who's gonna be the first to send in a 15k sample?
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      07-24-2008, 10:29 AM   #11
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So comparing this to other samples analyzed:

AndyM's sample at 1200
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...81&postcount=1

Here is one from a 330ci after 17k (The recommended interval)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...04&postcount=1

It looks like the numbers don't get too much higher going from 1200 to 2700 miles. I think that being said I'll aim from 1200 for my first oil change then 7500 after that. Oh, and no way would I wait for the scheduled interval, best to get all the break in products and residual silicon out much sooner.

AndyM: Any more oil changes since?
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      07-25-2008, 01:42 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3to1 View Post
So I am not an engineer or anything, but this to me looks reassuring that the oil probably could hold up longer than 3000 miles for the first change
The oil will most likely hold up beyond 10K miles. The purpose of doing the early first oil change is to flush the contaminants out of the engine.

Everyone will have their own method, but my 2 cents is to change it at 1000 miles. Then use the factory maintenance every 15K with your own 7500 oil change in between.

The oil + filter is farily inexpensive from the dealership and Johnl135i was kind enough to make a DIY video for us all.

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      07-25-2008, 08:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BerkTechnology View Post
The oil will most likely hold up beyond 10K miles. The purpose of doing the early first oil change is to flush the contaminants out of the engine.

Everyone will have their own method, but my 2 cents is to change it at 1000 miles. Then use the factory maintenance every 15K with your own 7500 oil change in between.

The oil + filter is farily inexpensive from the dealership and Johnl135i was kind enough to make a DIY video for us all.


Sounds like a solid plan for a Daily Driver .. if you race, I'd do it more frequently ..

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      07-25-2008, 09:29 AM   #14
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Thanks for the info. I'm going in for a 2000km oil change on Monday but it's good to know it'll last a lot longer.
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      12-25-2008, 12:07 AM   #15
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well...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3to1 View Post
So I am not an engineer or anything, but this to me looks reassuring that the oil probably could hold up longer than 3000 miles for the first change
I am a mechanical engineer and 38 ppm is nothing to worry about. If you are concerned, just replace the filter. BMW recommends oil changes every 12000 miles. If your engine is damaged before then as a result of 'foreign particles' in the oil, BMW will pay to replace it.

Just drive the car as it's meant to be driven, no worries!
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      12-26-2008, 11:02 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turner23 View Post
I am a mechanical engineer and 38 ppm is nothing to worry about. If you are concerned, just replace the filter. BMW recommends oil changes every 12000 miles. If your engine is damaged before then as a result of 'foreign particles' in the oil, BMW will pay to replace it.

Just drive the car as it's meant to be driven, no worries!
For the past decade (since the advent of OEM synthetic oil), BMW's "condition based service" dash readouts have called for oil changes averaging 15,000 miles, with the low at about 12k and the high about 18k. So I'm curious where you get 12k as the "BMW recommendation".

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      01-02-2009, 11:49 AM   #17
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You're correct, the recommendation can range from 12k to around 18k. I stated the minimum mileage to show how unnecessary a 2000 mile oil change really is...but to each their own.
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      01-02-2009, 11:59 AM   #18
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Just curious. How much does it cost to do a Blackstone oil analysis?

Would anyone recommend doing it on a regular basis?

Once a year? At every 7500 mile intermediate change?
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      01-02-2009, 03:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by holo777 View Post
So comparing this to other samples analyzed:

AndyM’s sample at 1200
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...81&postcount=1

Here is one from a 330ci after 17k (The recommended interval)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...04&postcount=1

It looks like the numbers don’t get too much higher going from 1200 to 2700 miles. I think that being said I’ll aim from 1200 for my first oil change then 7500 after that. Oh, and no way would I wait for the scheduled interval, best to get all the break in products and residual silicon out much sooner.

AndyM: Any more oil changes since?
Sorry, just saw this thread. I am at 5000 miles now and will do my second change at 7500. I will do another analysis at that time and will post my results.
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      01-02-2009, 09:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turner23 View Post
I am a mechanical engineer and 38 ppm is nothing to worry about. If you are concerned, just replace the filter. BMW recommends oil changes every 12000 miles. If your engine is damaged before then as a result of 'foreign particles' in the oil, BMW will pay to replace it.

Just drive the car as it's meant to be driven, no worries!
If people and corporations always did what they were supposed to do, there'd be a lot of starving lawyers out there.

I personally am planning on an oil change between 1,000 to 2,000 miles once I get my 1er...then probably at 7,500 intervals thereafter.
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      01-02-2009, 10:28 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by singular View Post
Just curious. How much does it cost to do a Blackstone oil analysis?

Would anyone recommend doing it on a regular basis?

Once a year? At every 7500 mile intermediate change?

I typically have sent in all of my oil changes in for analysis. The cost is 22.50 for the basic analysis and you can pay a little extra for other tests.

Currently I have done 3 tests on my 08 STI, it is a good way to catch a problem before it becomes a problem. Also to make sure the oil you are using and the interval is optimal.
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      01-02-2009, 11:58 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbrunner View Post
I typically have sent in all of my oil changes in for analysis. The cost is 22.50 for the basic analysis and you can pay a little extra for other tests.

Currently I have done 3 tests on my 08 STI, it is a good way to catch a problem before it becomes a problem. Also to make sure the oil you are using and the interval is optimal.
Great information - Thanks!

I'm planning on keeping my 1er for a long time.
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