Engine Oil Analysis @14000mi - Nissan Ester Oil, OEM Filter
 

Update: 3/4/2010

I waited 2666 miles and changed oil with Nissan Ester Oil and sent out a sample to the labs (report attached). The report came back good! I don't know, I'm just as confused as you.

I'm going to keep sticking with the Nissan oil for the time being. After wear levels settle for a few changes with the Nissan Oil, I'll switch to synthetic (Amsoil 0w-30) and post another update to see if there are any improvements going synthetic.

Stay tuned!





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Analysis is showing a whole lot of wear or maybe its taking long to break in. I'm glad I got baseline measurements from when I first purchased the car.

After the 2500mi flush they're recommending, I'll stick with the Nissan Ester Oil one more time to see if it shows improvement.

For comparison purposes, I'll probably switch to a different oil (Mobil 1 EP or Amsoil) after that.

I don't understand what I am looking at. Is that data of everything that should not be in your oil?

The comments are the main thing and yes, the chart is a measurement of particles that are considered harmful.

Oh no, It couldn't possibly be the omnipotent Nissan ester oil causing the wear!!!! LOL

Interesting. Subscribed.

was this analysis done by the nissan dealership service center?

No, it was done by Blackstone labs, independently from anything Nissan-related. Its a popular company that specializes in analyzing oil samples.

That is interesting. Yeah I would recommend a switch to a different oil too. I've seen good wear results from the Amsoil line (0w30) in the VQ35HR engines. Keep us posted and thanks for testing and sharing your results.

Signature Series ftw

yes of course, one engine's analysis certainly points to Nissan ester oil as the problem, lmao. :shakes head:

I'm wondering if you have a aftermarket intake on the car?

To me it seems that your silicon and insolubles are still too high which can cause premature wear. A faulty air filter or aftermarket one can cause this. I would suggest to clean or replace the air filters. New filters have been found to be faulty from the manufacturer.

My car is 100% stock. No aftermarket intake.

I've since replaced my air filters with new OEM ones so we'll see if the next analysis improves.

How much $$, does an oil analysis cost, may I ask?

Its around $22 for the analysis + shipping for sending oil sample back to the lab.

Thanks for the info., and fast response! rep point

For $10 more they will tell you the condition of your additive package.

I have benefitted a lot from what you guys post here, as I'm definitely less knowledgeable regarding maintenance, mechanics & automotive stuff. Thay said, it's my understanding that, at least, some "debris" (i.e. minerals, etc.) will circulate through our internal engine parts, but modern motors can take thay & much more.

I would be interested to see the results too.

It makes me want to do some analysis too, even though I use Castrol GTX 10W-30 and only have done one oil change, since most of us don't drive our sport cars in the winter.

Just a FYI, in Canada we use Fluid Life based out of Alberta and Ontario. Same tests different company.

I bet this wouldn't do much for a first oil change since it would probably be expected to haev tons of debris. I am gonna cut the oem filter open when I do the first oil change. I bought the magnetic filter cover and drain plug I hope they do their job!

Oil analysis
 

A shamless plug (Amsoil Dealer)! Doesn't Amsoil provide oil analysis as well? Have you conducted any oil analysis of 370Z's using Amsoil 0-30w?

I use Amsoil 0-30w in my former Z with good results.:tup:

I originally thought about going with an aftermarket oil, but after reading about the "magic" Nissan oil, I've been sticking with it. (Going on my 4th oil change now.)

After seeing these results, I'm second guessing.

Subscribed.

Perhaps we are concluding from the wrong direction.........Is it possible that the Nissan ester oil is actually "collecting" into its "solution" more of the contaminents that build up from engine wear & tear and heat than what other oils collect off the moving and extremely heated parts?? So in essence it may be doing a better job keeping the parts clean it comes into contact with...

One of its claims is that it removes surface contaminents better than other leading oils.

^^ I like the way you think!

^ me 2

i'll be switching soon from Nissan oil, I'll get a sample out of that (100% stock now) and switch to a different oil either Amsoil 0W30 or maybe Motul and then get another test after that.

The contaminants shown are traditionally interpreted to be a sign of excessive wear not superior detergency LOL

But the sample is only as strong as the oil's ability to remove the contaminants, so one motor using a better "detergent" oil appear to have more wear, versus a not-so-good "detergent" oil appearing to have better wear because it isn't removing enough. Too tough to be positive either way. This is a moot point now IMO.

Are you in politics???:ughdance::ughdance:

No, he just isn't ready to jump to any conclusions, I'd say.

Well, it does contain abrasives afterall. Nano-Carbon Particles!

TRU-DAT:tup:

:roflpuke2: nope, i just always want to find the facts before making a decision!
right:tiphat:

Yep, I guess an unfavorable uoa isn't facts. Random supposition trumps laboratory analysis anytime

sure does! kidding. im just skeptical of anyone who makes a general statement such as (and this is just an example) nissan oil is bad at protecting the engine, when so few test have been done to prove the statement or deny it. the data was so close to average that it can hardly be used to say the engine oil is causing the engine to wear abnormally.

oh yeah i meant to ask earlier, does anyone have any comparative data after switching from the nissan ester? anything showing better protection?

Yes, but one laboratory test doesn't mean you immediately jump to conclusions.

Question? Sure. But I wouldn't be staring Nissan down quite yet.

Double the expected amount of lead is unusually high bearing wear-either it's the Nissan oil, or a problem in the Nissan engine. Which is it???

welp

this motor in the data does burn oil as you can see by the additional fill. mine for instance has 3k on it and it hasn't burned a drop. it seems each engine has its own personality, so that makes figuring them out wear-wise even harder.

ZzzZz wrote :I'm glad I got baseline measurements from when I first purchased the car.

Obviously this latest uoa is one of a series-so double welp OUCH.

i think we should all leave the oil analysis to the experts, agreed?