2004 Honda Pilot, M1 5w 20 SuperSyn, 7637 mi Used Oil Analysis

[gilberttribe]

The following is our latest and past used oil analysies. BlkStn is Blackstone.

Oil Lab         Dyson	BlkStn	BlkStn
Oil Brand	M1	M1	M1
Oil Weight	5w20	0w20	0w20
Oil Filter	M1	K&N	Honda
Sampe Date	1/8/08	8/8/04	4/7/04	
Miles Oil	7637	7992	3774
Miles unit	75490	15556	7564

aluminum	6	5	8
chromium	1	2	2
iron		16	17	18
copper		22	54	61
lead		0	3	2
tin		0	2	2
moly		90	57	97
nickel		1	0	0
manganese	17	1	2
silver		0	0	0
titanium	0	0	0
potassium	0	1	1
boron		56	104	141
silicon		8	8	16
sodium		13	6	6
calcium		1976	2886	2725
magnesium	17	13	14
phosphorus	749	738	708
zinc		884	923	888
barium		0	0	0

Visc		49.6	56.3
Fuel		1.46	< 0.5

flash		300
oxid		26
nit		14
tbn		3.3
tan		2.28
sulfate		26

Our driving is about 70/30 percent highway/city with 15 minutes of idling two to three times per week in the school car pool line. I think the results look reasonable with the exception of the fuel and its related issues. I assume the idling is contributing to that issue, and I have read that fuel in the oil is common with this Honda engine. The second oil analysis didn't show much fuel though, but the vehicle had 60K fewer miles.

The iron is a little high, the copper has come down, and 0 lead is nice. I have switched oils, so it will be interesting to see the next analysis.

Our last analysis was performed by Dyson Analysis. The cost was $50. He gives you a very detailed analysis of the oil, and provides an audio commentary with recommendations. He is also quick to answer any questions -- very customer service oriented as you would expect. He suggested a number of ways to reduce the fuel in oil. I won't do this every oil change, but once in a while.

Note that an oil analysis not only tests the state of the oil, but can also identify certain mechanical problems.

This and other analysis reports are discussed here:

Bob Is The Oil Guy

[mfisher1967]

I have used Mobil One 5W-20 for years with fairly decent results. As you will see on BITOG, M1 tends to run a little higher Iron levels in UOA's for reasons unknown.

I opted to use Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 in my wife's 2006 Pilot on her last oil change (30,000 miles). As you most likely know, Pennzoil Platinum is a favorite at the BITOG site. Since then, the engine seems to run smoother and is less noisy to my ears. This is subjective though.

Your UOA looks very good though. If you are happy with M1 then I would stick with it. I will post a UOA for Pennzoil Platinum after the next oil change. I usually use Blackstone Labs ($22), but Dyson Analysis is a great value when one considers all of the information, data and recommendations he provides for $50.

[gilberttribe]

I look forward to seeing your analysis. We switched to BioSyn, so I'm anxious to see if that made any difference. If not, we will be looking for another less expensive brand.

[ctobio]

Tune in this thread next week. I sent a 6700 mile oil sample to Blackstone yesterday. Oil used was Mobil 1 5W20.

For anyone interested in my sampling rig:

I have two lengths of hose, a neoprene stopper that fits nicely in Blackstone's sample bottles, and a vacuum pump. I suction out enough oil for the sample through the dipstick tube- beats trying to catch the oil as its draining out.

[ctobio]

Well, here's my analysis. Looks very good for 6700 miles on the oil. It probably could go a bit longer on the synthetic, but at 6700 miles I feel pretty good about changing it then.

[gilberttribe]

Your results look good and very close to ours. Your silicon is about twice ours, so that could account for a little more wear. We use a FRAM paper air filter as recommended. I decided to switch to Biosyn during this last change. I'll post those results in a couple of months. We are also using an additive to try to reduce the fuel in the oil.

The one thing that has stood out to me is that based on the TBN value, a conventional motor oil would likely be spent well before 7500 miles even under easy, normal conditions. Has anyone seen any results that would indicate otherwise?

[ctobio]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that the TBN would be beyond poor on a conventional oil. I think a conventional oil would be nearly spent at my mileage, however, which confims what the MM signals.

As far as the silicon is concerned, it's not that high above universal average. I'm not worried.