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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 10:04 AM
  #26  
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E320 CDI, Jetta 06 TDI, GLS450 20, Boat:2 Volvo TAMD75+1 Kubota genset
Note to Kajtek1--probably worth double checking the air filter/piping as xtra dust can produce these numbers too.
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Old Jun 28, 2016 | 09:33 AM
  #27  
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First test results from Oil Analyzers Inc:

Report shows high oxidation, however the product information was incomplete, which I have since updated. According to their individual test info, oils with Esters normally show high oxidation, so this might be normal for the Mobil 1. I know that in the past they have blended esters and PAO's in their synthetics. If there are no esters in this product, then that means the oil is done.
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Old Jun 28, 2016 | 11:19 AM
  #28  
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Marc, Any idea on why Molyb was so high?
Only ever seen traces even on my boat engine results(which run hard, high on everything)
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Old Jun 28, 2016 | 11:25 AM
  #29  
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Molybdenum is one of Mobil 1's anti-wear additives. Very different from the MB branded oil, which clearly uses a different strategy in their formulation.
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Old Jun 28, 2016 | 03:27 PM
  #30  
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Well, I just heard back from M1 and they will not verify the presence of esters in their formula. So, I'm going to change the oil early to be on the safe side, unless hear back from either Blackstone or Oil Analyzers in the meantime indicating that it's safe to leave in there.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 09:53 AM
  #31  
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Oil Analyzers have revised their report, and rated my oil on the high side of normal. My concern however is the trend, there is increased oxidation and increased viscosity from the previous test. While neither of these are at alarming values, they do seem to be trending upwards quickly, with the viscosity almost at the upper limit for a 30 weight oil. I'm quite apprehensive about leaving the M1 in there any longer, but also I don't want to skew my comparative results.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 12:29 PM
  #32  
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Well, I went ahead and changed the oil - the M1 was already at the highest viscosity I've seen on a 30 weight, and with the oxidation trending up too, I thought I'd play it safe because my next analysis sample wasn't going to be for another 7,000kms. Main concern, I'm going on a long trip tomorrow, and I don't want this oil to suddenly flop out on me.

The oil still looked pretty good, so it likely had a lot more life in it.







Now I've got Amsoil Euro Formula 5W40 Mid SAPS in there. So at the very least we'll have comparison data on the three oils up to 10,000kms, and potentially two of them up to 18,000kms.

Last edited by marc hanna; Jun 29, 2016 at 12:39 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 03:39 PM
  #33  
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Marc i ran amsoil mid saps 5w40 for first oil change then switched to low saps 5w30 out of sludge/oil thickening fears but maybe unfounded because i change oil at around 7500 miles once a year

229.52 oils are 5w30 or 0w30

mine is a 09 blutec

I am looking forward to your amsoil results if you check it

thanks for your posts

Steve
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 03:56 PM
  #34  
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Hey Steve,

The 5W40 isn't for the Bluetec's, even though it's not on the approved list, the 5W30 Low SAPS would be the correct choice for the Bluetec.

Mine is a CDI, so the 5W40 or the 5W30 would be fine. The 5W40, may not give as good fuel economy, however the Mid SPAS oils theoretically have better protection because they have more SAPS in them, and being a 40 weight will naturally produce a stringer film.

Anyway, the proof is in the pudding, so we'll see what the results come back with.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 07:56 PM
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My report finally come and it doesn't look good.
I have stamp in the book saying M1 but no specific, so I guess they put the same oil I found on older receipts.
My oil shows lot of iron regardless low mileage.
Than low molybdenum would indicate dino oil. WTF. Is it M1 that generate high iron, or was it bogus oil change?
In the mean time I discover that even the car was taken reguraly to dealer, the hard to see things were pretty badly neglected.
Air filter was filthy, so was bottom of the radiator, cigarette butts on lower pan, intercooler hose was kinked and showing cracks.
So I consider the stamped oil change pretty fishy and will probably change the oil after long weekend what will add another 1000 anyway.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 09:02 PM
  #36  
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I agree, change the oil. I suspect you have been defrauded on your services. That report is not indicative of M1, at least not a recently changed ESP formula.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 11:49 PM
  #37  
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Anything but Mobil 1
I had very good experience with Shell Rotella in older diesels and just discover http://www.shell.com/motorist/oils-l...-c3-0w-30.html that meets 229.52.
If I find it easy, that is probably what I will use.
In the mean time, doing MM I check voltage regulator to have very short brushes.
The darn thing retails at $90, while some sites go 4-digits for whole alternator.
Those things get darn expensive even when I found VR for about $60.

Last edited by kajtek1; Jun 29, 2016 at 11:55 PM.
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Old Jul 2, 2016 | 06:24 PM
  #38  
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Marc I see your MB synthetic oil show very low molybdenum, like dino oils do.
Different manufacturers do have completely different ideas what is good for your engine
I did have some oil classes in my younger years and molybdenum is known for Centuries to improve lubrication, yet not that often used.
Fact is that only topic like that can give us real life research as even I run/test 5 different oils in my Ford in the past, that was just one engine so high iron could be interpret in couple of ways.
As of now my search for Shell Helix come with European supplier only.
As much as I would like to use Shell, it will cost me 3x what Mobil ESP does, so I am on the fence with the idea.
Would love to see your Amsoil test before I make my mind, but you will not run 4000 km by this weekend?

Last edited by kajtek1; Jul 4, 2016 at 09:55 PM.
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 02:19 PM
  #39  
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No, sorry, not enough kms yet, but I'll post as soon as I have the results.
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Old Jul 24, 2016 | 03:41 PM
  #40  
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Most recent results from Blackstone. Values are very similar to that of Oil Analyzers. Main concern is that viscosity was trending up, and flash point was trending down. This would seem to indicate that the oil was breaking down a little more rapidly than the MB oil. As with the report from Oil Analyzers, there was still probably a lot of life left in the oil, but with this trend, it would likely have been in pretty bad shape by the time I reached 18,000 kms.

I think going forward I'm going to continue to use Oil Analyzers, primarily because I get my results back very quickly. Blackstone takes about a month.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 11:02 AM
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Iron goes higher on M1 as well.
I wish Blackstone would also post oil on previous tests for easier comparison.
I just switched the oil that suppose to be changed by dealer 5000 miles ago to M1 ESP 0-30
Shell Helix turn out unavailable in USA and shipping from Europe comes too expensive.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 12:04 PM
  #42  
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Yes, so far I have observed about 25% higher iron with M1. However, in my case even the higher numbers with M1 were in a very safe range.
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Old Aug 18, 2016 | 12:46 PM
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Another oil report. This one is the first one on the Amsoil 5W40 European Formula.

Notable differences:

The lowest iron (9 @ 4,500kms) compared to both MB Branded 229.52 (14 @ 4,500kms) and Mobil 1 ESP (17 @ 4,200kms)

Lower additive metals than the other two, higher TBN compared to Mobil, but lower TBN compared to MB

Low Molybdenum like the MB

Much lower Boron than both the other two

Very low oxidation compared to the Mobil, which in turn showed less than the MB (measured in terms of insolubles).

Some concluding notes so far:

All three oils exhibit significantly different formulations.
Amsoil is the best performer so far on iron, with MB next, and Mobil 1 in last
Mobil 1 exhibits some concerning thickening trends
MB thins a little then starts thickening, which is a more expected trend on a diesel
No info on Amsoil's viscosity trends yet.
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Old Aug 20, 2016 | 08:42 AM
  #44  
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marc thanks for sharing this with us, it helps us to make oil choices
steve
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Old Aug 30, 2016 | 10:01 AM
  #45  
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Information is our friend I will have my 10,000km test soon.
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Old Sep 22, 2016 | 04:08 PM
  #46  
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Latest Oil report - everything looks good.

No abnormal findings at 10,000km.
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Old Sep 22, 2016 | 04:30 PM
  #47  
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So for comparison so far:

IRON:
MB - 14 (4500km), 20 (10,000km), 38 (18,000km)
M1 - 17 (4200km), 26 (10,110km)
AMS- 9 (4500km), 18 (10,070km)

VISCOSITY
MB - 12.01 (4500km), 11.86 (10,000km), 12.17 (18,000km) 5W30??
M1 - 11.42 (4200km), 11.87 (10,110km) 0W30
AMS- 13.5 (4500km), 13.4 (10,070km) 5W40

TBN
MB - n/a (4500km), 6.4 (10,000km), 4.6 (18,000km) HC
M1 - 5.4 (4200km), 4.2 (10,110km) PAO
AMS- 6.05 (4500km), 5.38 (10,070km) PAO

Ams oil is slightly in the lead compared to MB and well ahead of M1
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Old Oct 12, 2016 | 10:38 AM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by marc hanna
So for comparison so far:

IRON:
MB - 14 (4500km), 20 (10,000km), 38 (18,000km)
M1 - 17 (4200km), 26 (10,110km)
AMS- 9 (4500km), 18 (10,070km)

VISCOSITY
MB - 12.01 (4500km), 11.86 (10,000km), 12.17 (18,000km) 5W30??
M1 - 11.42 (4200km), 11.87 (10,110km) 0W30
AMS- 13.5 (4500km), 13.4 (10,070km) 5W40

TBN
MB - n/a (4500km), 6.4 (10,000km), 4.6 (18,000km) HC
M1 - 5.4 (4200km), 4.2 (10,110km) PAO
AMS- 6.05 (4500km), 5.38 (10,070km) PAO

Ams oil is slightly in the lead compared to MB and well ahead of M1
At the end of the day differences are insignificant.

The M1 is probably kinder to emissions gear ~ it is a trade off but so marginal here as not to matter.

BTW the Moly is a high temperature antioxidant developed by our additive company & sold to ExxonMobil.

Of more importance here, was there any top up during the respective runs?
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Old Oct 12, 2016 | 03:38 PM
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No top-ups whatsoever. No discernible oil consumption for each oil change interval - with the exception of the few ounces lost from taking samples.

I agree, even though the iron levels are higher with the M1, still not at any significant levels.
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by marc hanna
No top-ups whatsoever. No discernible oil consumption for each oil change interval - with the exception of the few ounces lost from taking samples.

I agree, even though the iron levels are higher with the M1, still not at any significant levels.
Great. Then there is no dilution of results. They are a true comparison.
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