Oil analysis results. 2 years and >11k between change

[986_Ron]

Back in 2008 I posted a thread on here where I had let me Boxster go over 15k miles and 2 years between oil changes, and had an oil analysis done by Blackstone Labs. You can see the original post here -> http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18035


I had a goal of 10,000 miles for my next change, which I missed by around 1,500 miles and my actual interval ended up being 11,470 miles. Time between changes was less than a week shy of 2 years.

Here is my most recent Blackstone Labs report. The car has been running well although certainly starting to show it's age a bit as it comes up on 100,000 miles. I installed a new coolant reservoir last year about this time, and the air/oil separator just a couple of weeks ago. Still having a blast driving this car!

[extanker]

tanks for sharing...filter brand ?

[986_Ron]

Porsche filter from the local dealer. Part number 996-107-225-60. That along with the crush ring and tax ran me $27. Ouch!

[paulv]

Ron,

Thx for posting this -- I usually post mine at Renntech but it seems that most Pcar owners aren't interested in this stuff. I have an 07 Box S with 36Kmiles on it now and I change the oil around 7500 miles (if I can). My analyses from Blackstone/Bently also show Fe and Cu levels in the 20ppm range so I guess this is normal as proven with the mileage you have!

I've attached my oil change history to prove how anal I am with UOAs!! BTW, if anyone wants the spreadsheet to use, send me a PM with your email.


Regards,
paul...

[Boxtaboy]

Thanks for posting. Looks like good results! I've been using M1 0W-40 solely on my car, and also similar oil change intervals. Good to see the oil is holding up well.

[986_Ron]

Paul, that's excellent. Really neat to see how you graphed everything out and how after your initial break in period everything stabilized. If I ever buy a new car I'll definitely remember to increase the frequency of oil changes in the first 15k miles or so.

Here's a look at one of my other vehicles. A 2002 F-150 4X4 with a 5.4 liter V8 in it that I use mostly for winter driving and towing a travel trailer. This is my first oil analysis on it and of the 6,677 miles at least 2,000 of those were towing down to S.C. and back from Cincinnati. I'm not too happy with the results and I plan on doing my next change in the 3,500 to 4,500 range. Hopefully things will improve.

[Perfectlap]

I'd really like to see one these reports from a car that had an IMS fail. What oil were they using and how often.
Is it entirely possible that the oil will not show any 'above average elements' deposits but still did not produce sufficient lubrication to keep the IMS from failing?
Seems like those could be two separate issues.

[ARModen]

Isn't the bearing failure due to the loss of a sealing ring, and then loss of the grease that's sealed in the bearing? Then inadequate engine oil lubrication to the exposed bearing results in failure. I think that's the general explanation. It would be interesting to see oil analysis on an engine where the seal has failed but the IMS has not yet failed to see if there are warning signs. I imagine the seal and the grease wouldn't have a huge impact on the oil but you never know.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I'd really like to see one these reports from a car that had an IMS fail. What oil were they using and how often.
Is it entirely possible that the oil will not show any 'above average elements' deposits but still did not produce sufficient lubrication to keep the IMS from failing?
Seems like those could be two separate issues.

Wouldn't be any different- remember, this is no oil going to the IMS, and when they fail, all the metal that is made is stuck inside the shaft, NOT in the oil.

[Steve Tinker]

But hasn't there been quite a few threads which advocate cutting open your old oil filter to look for metal particles which is an early indication of IMS bearing failure, and plastic particles which can be chain tensioner guides breaking down??