Rod Bearing Testing?

walltoride · 03-01-2018, 12:13 AM

Hi everyone,

I've heard of a few different ways to test or diagnose the rod bearings to make sure you don't have a failure. The main way being through an oil analysis.

Has anyone had an experience getting an oil analysis done in Aus? I'm thinking of getting one done but unsure where I would start or who I should go through.

Cheers.

XIX · 03-01-2018, 01:54 AM

There is no way to test to make sure you don't have a failure. You can test some of the bearings to see if the amount of certain materials in your oil is higher than average, which may mean there is more wear, but how much more and when the bearings are going to go is completely unknown.

Unless your car is an extremely low km example or has had them done, chances are there will be significant wear. Yet they may last for another 10 years, no real way to know.

My car was a 2011 with 50k kms and I changed them and they had some wear.

Ken Oath · 03-01-2018, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walltoride

Has anyone had an experience getting an oil analysis done in Aus? I'm thinking of getting one done but unsure where I would start or who I should go through.

Cheers.

https://www.alsglobal.com/au

Used oil analysis (UOA) wear elements are better determined when test results are compared over a period of time to identify potential trends rather than a one off sample.

inTgr8r · 03-01-2018, 08:18 AM

There are a couple of things to take into account with sample testing.
I have done it for many years on several cars and it helped me diagnose rod bearing wear on my Z4MC.

- as per the post above; for it to be of much use it needs to be done on a regular basis to establish trends.
A one shot test is of little value.

- on the M3 sample testing is only of value on the 08 - 10 model years that had lead coated bearings. Lead is the main indicator of rod bearing wear.
The bearings were revised in 11-13 years and no longer have the lead coating.

kosz888 · 03-01-2018, 04:39 PM

This is what mine looked like at 70,000 kms.

walltoride · 03-01-2018, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XIX

My car was a 2011 with 50k kms and I changed them and they had some wear.

Were there any indications that the car needed them done? Or did you do it as a preventative measure?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Oath

https://www.alsglobal.com/au

Used oil analysis (UOA) wear elements are better determined when test results are compared over a period of time to identify potential trends rather than a one off sample.

Cheers Ken! (if your surname really is Oath, your parents have done well)

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

- on the M3 sample testing is only of value on the 08 - 10 model years that had lead coated bearings. Lead is the main indicator of rod bearing wear.
The bearings were revised in 11-13 years and no longer have the lead coating.

Thanks for the info, mine is a late 07 (maybe they didn't come to Canada until 2008?)

walltoride · 03-01-2018, 08:38 PM

Also, has anyone used Blackstone Labs? I know they send you a report that compares the averages for each oil particulate for your vehicle in your location, which may help considering this will be the first oil analysis the car has had.

Ingenio · 03-05-2018, 06:51 PM

Been using Blackstone for a few years now.... really good at what they do and I wouldn't go anywhere else...

Rajvosa · 03-05-2018, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Been using Blackstone for a few years now.... really good at what they do and I wouldn't go anywhere else...

Stu, what’s the postage cost usually to send a sample to them?

Ingenio · 03-07-2018, 03:39 AM

Cheap.... Maybe $15... They send you the sample pots for free, you collect a bit of mid-stream oil, fill out the paperwork and send it off to them. Next thing you know... an email with the results! Simples!

walltoride · 03-15-2018, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Been using Blackstone for a few years now.... really good at what they do and I wouldn't go anywhere else...

I've sent a sample off to ALS Global in Aus and will see how they go. Have you had any customs trouble with your sample going back to the States?

Ingenio · 03-15-2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walltoride

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Been using Blackstone for a few years now.... really good at what they do and I wouldn't go anywhere else...

I've sent a sample off to ALS Global in Aus and will see how they go. Have you had any customs trouble with your sample going back to the States?

Nope.... none at all!

walltoride · 03-15-2018, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Nope.... none at all!

Great to know! Cheers

BimaExtremeRetro · 03-18-2018, 01:19 AM

We sell and swap these engine all the time due to bearing failure. In fact I have one now from an insurance company with literally 32kms. Only insurance is to swap the bearings and maintain 1/2 the service interval there after with tws. This has worked for me for years and the cars get driven super hard in the right conditions.oil testing like someone mentioned might work from new bearings but i would think it needs to be regular and will probably raise more questions than answers

03-01-2018, 12:13 AM	#1
walltoride New Member 5 Rep 25 Posts Drives: Jerez Schwarz E92 M3 Manual Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Rod Bearing Testing? Hi everyone, I've heard of a few different ways to test or diagnose the rod bearings to make sure you don't have a failure. The main way being through an oil analysis. Has anyone had an experience getting an oil analysis done in Aus? I'm thinking of getting one done but unsure where I would start or who I should go through. Cheers.
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03-01-2018, 01:54 AM	#2
XIX Incognito 119 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Harrop S/C Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Perth - Aus iTrader: (0)	There is no way to test to make sure you don't have a failure. You can test some of the bearings to see if the amount of certain materials in your oil is higher than average, which may mean there is more wear, but how much more and when the bearings are going to go is completely unknown. Unless your car is an extremely low km example or has had them done, chances are there will be significant wear. Yet they may last for another 10 years, no real way to know. My car was a 2011 with 50k kms and I changed them and they had some wear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2018, 08:18 AM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	There are a couple of things to take into account with sample testing. I have done it for many years on several cars and it helped me diagnose rod bearing wear on my Z4MC. - as per the post above; for it to be of much use it needs to be done on a regular basis to establish trends. A one shot test is of little value. - on the M3 sample testing is only of value on the 08 - 10 model years that had lead coated bearings. Lead is the main indicator of rod bearing wear. The bearings were revised in 11-13 years and no longer have the lead coating. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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03-01-2018, 04:39 PM	#5
kosz888 Private 10 Rep 89 Posts Drives: E92 M3 6sp Manual Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	This is what mine looked like at 70,000 kms. Attached Images
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03-01-2018, 08:38 PM	#7
walltoride New Member 5 Rep 25 Posts Drives: Jerez Schwarz E92 M3 Manual Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Also, has anyone used Blackstone Labs? I know they send you a report that compares the averages for each oil particulate for your vehicle in your location, which may help considering this will be the first oil analysis the car has had.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2018, 06:51 PM	#8
Ingenio Major 180 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Grey E92 M3 (6MT) Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Been using Blackstone for a few years now.... really good at what they do and I wouldn't go anywhere else...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 03:39 AM	#10
Ingenio Major 180 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Grey E92 M3 (6MT) Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Cheap.... Maybe $15... They send you the sample pots for free, you collect a bit of mid-stream oil, fill out the paperwork and send it off to them. Next thing you know... an email with the results! Simples!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2018, 01:19 AM	#14
BimaExtremeRetro Banned 133 Rep 201 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	We sell and swap these engine all the time due to bearing failure. In fact I have one now from an insurance company with literally 32kms. Only insurance is to swap the bearings and maintain 1/2 the service interval there after with tws. This has worked for me for years and the cars get driven super hard in the right conditions.oil testing like someone mentioned might work from new bearings but i would think it needs to be regular and will probably raise more questions than answers
	Appreciate 0 Quote