LILBENZ230

This is my latest oil analysis. This oil was ran in my 2005 C230K with a Mann paper filter from 81,400 miles to 94,800 miles without a drop being added to it during that time. The air filter was replaced at the same time this sample was taken, so the air filter element had 41,000 - 54,000 miles of use when this oil was in the car.

I'll not be extending the interval past 13,000 for the record. I do it when the computer says so.

HitUpOlas

How much does this cost with shipping?

johnand

$25. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests-price-list.php

johnand

Matt,

Considering the mileage on your car AND the paper filter, those are pretty good results. Though, I always cringe at the iron numbers from M1.

I thought you did a lot of long highway trips normally, but did you do a bunch of short trips this time? I am just thinking about the fuel dilution.

What always has puzzled me, is in your car the M1 doesn't seem to shear like it does in every analysis I have seen. Out of the bottle M1 has a viscosity of 13.33. I suspect it is shearing in your engine, but then thickening again as it oxidizes. I wish Blackstone included TBN in the standard test, as that would help solve that mystery. That is why I prefer Oil Analyzers, because they include TBN for the same $25.

Hope Glyn will chime in here. I would like to see him comment on the Manganese numbers that creeped up on this report. The virgin oil has 0, so this must be a wear particle.

M1 0W-40 is definitely an excellent oil, just wish it could control iron a little better. I will be sending in my analysis of Pentosin next week. I am hoping it performs as well as M1, but with a reduction in iron.

LILBENZ230

I did do shorter trips during that period. I plan to have it analyzed every other change, so again at 120,000 or so and I'll do the TBN.

But I think this shows that there is nothing wrong with the 13000 mile interval. Maybe if you live in very dusty areas or something, but if you live here in GA, spend a lot of time on the road, and are changing your oil every 5k miles you are throwing money away.

I drove 800 miles last night to visit Drew in Florida.. I'm at 107k and it's time for another change.

contact148

seems to be alot of guys with slightly higher then normal fuel results

question do you idle the car alot??? the short trips might be why but water was ok so you got it hot enough

everything else looks ok

Glyn M Ruck

Good Report.

Sources of Manganese:

Manganese (Mn) can show up in the following components of an engine as:

Minor element:
Wrist pin & bushing
Piston rings-various
Blowers

Trace element:
Gears-misc.
Crank shaft
Cam shaft
Cam follower
Valve train & valves
Cylinder liner (unlikely with Benz Alusil)
Roller/ball bearings-various

Minor element- medium concentration range relative to a Major element. Appx. 20-50% of a major element

Trace element- very low concentration relative to Major & Minor elements. May no show up in a concentration high enough to register above instrument detection limits.

I'm of the opinion that the majority of the Manganese found in Matt's sample is from the fuel. Afton Chemical (formally Ethyl Corp) supply the US & Canadian fuel industry with Octane boosters containing Mn.

LILBENZ230

No the car does not idle a lot. This was a while back for me so I can't recall that much of what went on.. It's a small amount and none was present in the previous sample.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah Matt - I'm not talking from your very slight fuel dilution - But from fuel in general that the engine sees. In the days of leaded fuels there was always plenty of lead in oil samples with zero dilution. Elements of fuel additives get into the sump.

bdgdl08

I'm glad the news is so good! I never did get the email.

EDIT: I take that back. I got it, but it didn't come to my phone... hmm.

LILBENZ230

And Drew I am glad you got to drive my car and that you understand the somewhat special appeal of the 2005s.