Oil Analysis Reports

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

Just curious, what was the condition of your old bearings? Your previous UOAs showed excellent wear. My pedestrian Honda Accord spewed more metals into the oil, and that thing never revs higher than 3000rpm.

At 86k miles, they don't look too bad compare to others that have posted here and wore pretty evenly. I chose to change it at that time was because I noticed a shift in my engine oil temp, coolant temp, and oil pressure. Not because of the reports. Here was my thread on it:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1074496

[Leonardo629]

I just found your rod bearing change thread, they looked like they have another 100K left in them. I wonder if a lighter oil in the early days could've prevented those wear.

Kudos to changing the the bearings yourself.

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

I just found your rod bearing change thread, they looked like they have another 100K left in them. I wonder if a lighter oil in the early days could've prevented those wear.

Kudos to changing the the bearings yourself.

Thanks, the pictures don't pick up/show the details. It wears very evenly but it's clear that they are at different layer of material already at the wear locations. With the raise in the temp and drop in oil pressure, I don't think it can last more than 20k but guess no one will ever know. At least this way, it's a lot cheaper and I can control the down time of my car.

[ArthurL]

Here's my most recent Blackstone Report. I added about 2.5L of oil in a span of ~4K miles. I decided to switch to LiquiMoly.. so far so good. I think my mechanic might've underfilled the first time around which is why I probably needed to add more oil.

Engine was at 125K when this test was done.

[E46XITOE92M3]

I am very excited to say that my first engine oil analysis came back with good results. I will be uploading my second report after another three thousand miles, also I will be uploading the other fluids that should be analyzed. (Transmission Fluid,Differential Fluid,Gasoline,Transfer Case Fluid).

[UNCbigM]

Okay, let's see if I can break m3post.com with this oil analysis:



Let me give you some background... Car purchased 11/2014 (2/2011 build) with ~49k mi. When I had PPI done I had the BMW dealer go ahead and change oil, so OEM 10w60. Car had no obvious signs of abuse/wear etc at PPI. No signs of being tracked. I put approximately 7k miles on the car, no track, 4 autox days, and just had the oil changed by my local dealer (~56k mi.) so I could stick with OEM one more time to compare analysis before switching to LiquiMoly. The above report is the result.

I find it interesting that they mention not knowing what problems I'm having because the answer is NONE. The car drives, performs and sounds beautifully; I did the analysis for a baseline.

More color: When the oil change was done the dealer forgot to fill the sample and called me. I asked if they could get anything at all, even anything out of the filter. The service advisor physically cut open the filter housing and squeezed about 1/2" of oil into the sample container with his hand on the filter element. Again, results above.

My first reaction after my heart sank was that my engine appears to be a ticking time bomb. I called and spoke to BS yesterday and they said don't freak out just yet after explaining the situation with the filter. Some contamination could have occurred from that process with cutting etc, but some of the metals are still concerning (and the silicone). They suggested getting another sample in about 4k miles to compare. So, for now, I guess I'll cross my fingers and do just that.

Okay, now go ahead and tell me to replace my bearings, pistons, shafts etc now before it blows...

[javarithms]

I think you answered your own question. Your oil sample was tainted so perhaps drive it and do a test in couple of thousand miles...

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by UNCbigM

I asked if they could get anything at all, even anything out of the filter. The service advisor physically cut open the filter housing and squeezed about 1/2" of oil into the sample container with his hand on the filter element.

The same happened with my dealer, same result except super high lead copper and iron.
That was a couple of years ago and its still running fine.
Your analysis is pretty much useless unfortunately (as was mine).

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by UNCbigM

Okay, let's see if I can break m3post.com with this oil analysis:


Let me give you some background... Car purchased 11/2014 (2/2011 build) with ~49k mi. When I had PPI done I had the BMW dealer go ahead and change oil, so OEM 10w60. Car had no obvious signs of abuse/wear etc at PPI. No signs of being tracked. I put approximately 7k miles on the car, no track, 4 autox days, and just had the oil changed by my local dealer (~56k mi.) so I could stick with OEM one more time to compare analysis before switching to LiquiMoly. The above report is the result.

I find it interesting that they mention not knowing what problems I'm having because the answer is NONE. The car drives, performs and sounds beautifully; I did the analysis for a baseline.

More color: When the oil change was done the dealer forgot to fill the sample and called me. I asked if they could get anything at all, even anything out of the filter. The service advisor physically cut open the filter housing and squeezed about 1/2" of oil into the sample container with his hand on the filter element. Again, results above.

My first reaction after my heart sank was that my engine appears to be a ticking time bomb. I called and spoke to BS yesterday and they said don't freak out just yet after explaining the situation with the filter. Some contamination could have occurred from that process with cutting etc, but some of the metals are still concerning (and the silicone). They suggested getting another sample in about 4k miles to compare. So, for now, I guess I'll cross my fingers and do just that.

Okay, now go ahead and tell me to replace my bearings, pistons, shafts etc now before it blows...

After looking into your BS report , I thought that's really interesting because...
Your are stating that your car is build in "2/2011" and the BS report shows lots of aluminium .
From of what I know BMW changed the lead bearings into alumumiun bearings only from "5/2011" and your report shows lots of aluminium .
So is it possible that your car had a replaced engine (rebuild engine by BMW) with the aluminium bearings ?
Note : I'm not sure about my statement but this is how it looks like .

[UNCbigM]

I guess to break the board I would have needed to leave the explanation off and just post the report...

[Leonardo629]

forget bearings, replace your idiotic SA....squeezing oil from probably the dirtiest source?

[kaede]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

forget bearings, replace your idiotic SA....squeezing oil from probably the dirtiest source?

+1... you shouldve just saved the Oil Analysis for next time... hope you get much better and much more accurate results next time.

[davesaddiction]

Looking great at 77k miles! Definitely a relief to see the good words and numbers from the guys at Blackstone, especially with some of the threads you see here on M3post. I hope that, in the end, it's proven to be an assembly error (or some other variable) that ends up in failure in a very small percentage of our cars.

Always have used 10w60, and I drive it hard, high in the rev range, every chance I get. Daily driver, half highway, half city streets, a handful of track days over the past 3 years (I bought it in June 2012), and plenty of flogging on rural backroads. Plan to keep winding it out for many years to come!

[JoeKixxon]

I really searched this (both google and within the thread) so sorry if this is already posted, but here it goes:

For a 2008 E90 M3:

1. Is there a good way to collect a sample without doing an oil change? I don't have a lift or anything and I'm not mechanically inclined, so if there is a step-by-step process somewhere I would love to see it.

2. If I need to change the oil, would the dealer be likely to get the sample for me? Or is the only safe bet to do it myself?

Thank you!

[Leonardo629]

Best bet is to drain the front sump because only a little bit of oil will drain, and it's easier to get to. Unless you want to get a sample from the oil filter housing, but then you'll compromise the rubber seal.

Some dealer tech will forget to get you a sample, and try to make it up by getting the oil from questionable sources that will render the sample useless. This is also your only bet of course if you trust your dealer. You may have to emphasize to your SA that you need a sample.

Originally Posted by JoeKixxon

I really searched this (both google and within the thread) so sorry if this is already posted, but here it goes:

For a 2008 E90 M3:

1. Is there a good way to collect a sample without doing an oil change? I don't have a lift or anything and I'm not mechanically inclined, so if there is a step-by-step process somewhere I would love to see it.

2. If I need to change the oil, would the dealer be likely to get the sample for me? Or is the only safe bet to do it myself?

Thank you!

[Nice Rumble]

Originally Posted by JoeKixxon

I really searched this (both google and within the thread) so sorry if this is already posted, but here it goes:

For a 2008 E90 M3:

1. Is there a good way to collect a sample without doing an oil change? I don't have a lift or anything and I'm not mechanically inclined, so if there is a step-by-step process somewhere I would love to see it.

2. If I need to change the oil, would the dealer be likely to get the sample for me? Or is the only safe bet to do it myself?

Thank you!

Drain the oil filter and take a sample from that. Just be sure to refill with fresh oil the amount you drained.

[UNCbigM]

I have contemplated simply unscrewing the drain plug slowly until it begins to drip out slowly and collect a sample this way and then simply tighten back once done. I would if course clean the plug first since it will be running off it.

Also, whenever I've done an oil change I've always removed the filter last. Under what is said above removing the filter without draining oil won't cause it to all drain?

[Nice Rumble]

Originally Posted by UNCbigM

I have contemplated simply unscrewing the drain plug slowly until it begins to drip out slowly and collect a sample this way and then simply tighten back once done. I would if course clean the plug first since it will be running off it.

Also, whenever I've done an oil change I've always removed the filter last. Under what is said above removing the filter without draining oil won't cause it to all drain?

Filter is on top of the motor unlike most others and has it's own drain plug. Not a lot in there compared to the sump.

[UNCbigM]

Didn't know that since I sent mine to dealer for my first oil change with it. Interesting...

[ncviz]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

After looking into your BS report , I thought that's really interesting because...
Your are stating that your car is build in "2/2011" and the BS report shows lots of aluminium .
From of what I know BMW changed the lead bearings into alumumiun bearings only from "5/2011" and your report shows lots of aluminium .
So is it possible that your car had a replaced engine (rebuild engine by BMW) with the aluminium bearings ?
Note : I'm not sure about my statement but this is how it looks like .

I'm pretty sure the build for that change is 9/2010. Whether or not it going to show more aluminum vs lead don't know. My last report showed some increase in lead, and I have that first build with aluminum. I'll post my results when I get a chance. Probably going to let another cycle get tested before I'm thinking of having the shop do anything. I'll keep an eye on the temps and pressure though.

[ncviz]

Here's mine. Definitely start keeping an eye on it. Just as a reference I do track quite a bit. About 30 track days since buying her in May last year.

[Leonardo629]

how do you do 30 track days from May to July?

Additive pack is also abnormally high for TWS.