SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

[SparkYellow]

I am expecting another report this week from my 2/16 sample.

My backup car R56 (ex DD) is in the shop for brain surgery. Once it is road-ready, the CX-3 can take a break while I figure out what to do. Whatever it is, I lean heavily towards repair. There is not another gas car on the market that I desire.

 

[cz5gt]

btw if its a head gasket its actually easy on that engine. Not that complicated if you are handy and can also change few other items all together.

aalso could be even something simpler -> i dont recall on that car/engine if it has oil cooler but sometims thats a culprit if coolant/oil pass through it.

 

[SparkYellow]

I was hoping that replacing the head gasket is similar to replacing the valve cover gasket, only going much deeper. There is a thread on blown head gasket from last November and I have read through the posts. It is way beyond my capabilities, I will have to check with the mechanic at the DIY lift rental place to see if it is doable.

 

[SparkYellow]

It looks like I can pay slightly less with test kits (oil analyzer) and membership from Amsoil. Is it pretty straight forward or will I have to call to confirm that my sample was delivered and that I want a deep analysis?

 

[N7turbo]

It looks like I can pay slightly less with test kits (oil analyzer) and membership from Amsoil. Is it pretty straight forward or will I have to call to confirm that my sample was delivered and that I want a deep analysis?

Your first sample will use the form in the kit. You will fill it out and send it in with the sample.

After that, you need to make an account online. Your info will be pre-filled from your first analysis. Going forward, you only use the website to make submissions.

 

[SparkYellow]

Your first sample will use the form in the kit. You will fill it out and send it in with the sample.

After that, you need to make an account online. Your info will be pre-filled from your first analysis. Going forward, you only use the website to make submissions.

Thank you. I will purchase the membership and test kits closer to my next OCI.

 

[N7turbo]

Thank you. I will purchase the membership and test kits closer to my next OCI.

To be clear, what membership?

I just order the kit.

 

[SparkYellow]

To be clear, what membership?

I just order the kit.

It is $6/kit cheaper if I pay $10 to become a preferred customer (for 6 months). 6 months is 3 OCIs for me. $20 for one year. Trying to save for a head job.

 

[SparkYellow]

Here is my most recent UOA. First round of Valvoline Restore & Protect with NO ADDITIVES.

Comments: Coolant came down a little again. The problem isn't gone, but at least it's not getting any worse. The shorter oil changes seem to be limiting coolant's effect on the wearing parts, which is the goal. Wear is still pretty low, even though aluminum rose a couple ppm. We wouldn't even have noticed the uptick in aluminum except that we're paying extra special attention to metals to see if coolant is causing poor wear. This increase in aluminum isn 't enough to show poor piston/bearing wear, though. Stick to 5,000 miles or less between oil changes.

5 for Aluminium is normal for initial break-in oil.

 

[SparkYellow]

Most recent round with 4K miles. I haven't done any repair or added stop leak yet. It'd be nice if things in my life make sense.

Comments: The coolant level in the oil continues to drop. Sure, this is partly due to the shorter oil change interval, but its ppm/mile accumulation rate is also lower. Have you made a repair or used some sort of stop leak product? The wear metals are holding fairly stable as the shorter oil change intervals seem to be limiting coolant's effect on wearing parts, which is good. There wasn't enough oil in the bottle for us to complete the flashpoint test. Stick to 5,000 miles between oil changes until the leak is repaired/we see coolant clear up.

 

[jadmt]

right now thru the end of April if you buy some pennzoil ultra platinum you get a free oil analysis..buy 2 5 qt jugs get a $30 rebate and the free analysis thru oil analyzers/Polaris labs...they were quick on the rebate and got my email saying the kit has been shipped to me.

 

[Z31]

Most recent round with 4K miles. I haven't done any repair or added stop leak yet. It'd be nice if things in my life make sense.

Comments: The coolant level in the oil continues to drop. Sure, this is partly due to the shorter oil change interval, but its ppm/mile accumulation rate is also lower. Have you made a repair or used some sort of stop leak product? The wear metals are holding fairly stable as the shorter oil change intervals seem to be limiting coolant's effect on wearing parts, which is good. There wasn't enough oil in the bottle for us to complete the flashpoint test. Stick to 5,000 miles between oil changes until the leak is repaired/we see coolant clear up.

Makes you wonder how many cars drive around like this and no one knows/cares.. Even 100ppm is still a fairly insignificant amount obviously by your wear numbers still being good. If every car had these tests regularly, we'd probably be shocked at the data.

Doubt it's a head gasket issue or I think it would be much worse.. Unless it's just the tiniest leak. Are there any other spots coolant could interact? The turbo engines have a cooled EGR system, but not sure on the regular engine?

Do you live close to the ocean? Any chance it could be environmental? Dusty dirt roads, forest fires, etc?

My values are much lower, but i also consistently get readings, which is the reason I monitor as well.

 

[SparkYellow]

Makes you wonder how many cars drive around like this and no one knows/cares.. Even 100ppm is still a fairly insignificant amount obviously by your wear numbers still being good. If every car had these tests regularly, we'd probably be shocked at the data.

Doubt it's a head gasket issue or I think it would be much worse.. Unless it's just the tiniest leak. Are there any other spots coolant could interact? The turbo engines have a cooled EGR system, but not sure on the regular engine?

Do you live close to the ocean? Any chance it could be environmental? Dusty dirt roads, forest fires, etc?

My values are much lower, but i also consistently get readings, which is the reason I monitor as well.

I haven't been near the ocean for many years. Most weekends the car is parked on dirt, and has been since May 2024. I don't know how potassium/sodium can get into the oil though? Out there I was mostly worried about rodents.

The first report that showed the highest amount was after two rounds of Royal Purple 0w20, and after I refreshed the factory coolant with a generic Peak formula. In my very simple mind, I was hoping to blame either of those two that are in contact with the gasket. The lab didn't think the new coolant for that short period of time could have done this. I was wondering though, that the requirement about using OEM formula probably has to do with the chemistry concerning the gasket, not just the aluminum block.

Since then, I have switched to 5w30 and refreshed the coolant again with Peak Asian formula. There wasn't any external leak that I could see, but the level in the reservoir would go down slightly, enough for me to notice, but not enough to top off. Yes I also check the radiator level.

The lab recommended 5K OCI but I don't want to risk having higher amounts of potassium/sodium in the oil. Changing the oil/filter is one of the few chores that I don't mind doing.

 

[Z31]

I haven't been near the ocean for many years. Most weekends the car is parked on dirt, and has been since May 2024. I don't know how potassium/sodium can get into the oil though? Out there I was mostly worried about rodents.

The first report that showed the highest amount was after two rounds of Royal Purple 0w20, and after I refreshed the factory coolant with a generic Peak formula. In my very simple mind, I was hoping to blame either of those two that are in contact with the gasket. The lab didn't think the new coolant for that short period of time could have done this. I was wondering though, that the requirement about using OEM formula probably has to do with the chemistry concerning the gasket, not just the aluminum block.

Since then, I have switched to 5w30 and refreshed the coolant again with Peak Asian formula. There wasn't any external leak that I could see, but the level in the reservoir would go down slightly, enough for me to notice, but not enough to top off. Yes I also check the radiator level.

The lab recommended 5K OCI but I don't want to risk having higher amounts of potassium/sodium in the oil. Changing the oil/filter is one of the few chores that I don't mind doing.

My reservoir went down over the two years. I topped it up with Mazda fluid. Maybe 1 litre?
I haven't noticed it move now in the last couple years.

Not going to sweat it, but I'm with you, I don't mind doing the oil change early, and having a look at everything under there somewhat regularly. I use a different lab than you, but my AL/FE values are inverted from yours. Usually 3-5 ppm of AL, and 1-2 ppm of FE. I'd like to send a sample to Blackstone, but too difficult to send from Canada.

 

[SparkYellow]

The OEM formula is definitely the best. It held steady for way longer than it is supposed to.

I was going to try Polaris but decided last-minute to shorten the interval and used a BSL kit. They sent me a new batch after my last submission.

What did you mean by AL and FE values?

 

[Z31]

The OEM formula is definitely the best. It held steady for way longer than it is supposed to.

I was going to try Polaris but decided last-minute to shorten the interval and used a BSL kit. They sent me a new batch after my last submission.

What did you mean by AL and FE values?

Oh, the aluminum and iron from my samples was opposite. I had more iron than aluminum. These numbers are so small that likely within the margin of error, but thought it was interesting.

I sent my samples to the Toromont/Cat dealer. Cheap and convenient, but not sure how sensitive their testing is.

 

[sm1ke]

I sent my samples to the Toromont/Cat dealer. Cheap and convenient, but not sure how sensitive their testing is.

View attachment 382797

Out of curiosity, what does Toromont/CAT charge for an analysis? I have one just down the street but never thought to ask about oil analysis. The last time I did one was in 2022 and I used AGAT Labs - cost me $40 CDN at the time with "free" shipping because I just dropped the sample off at one of their local shipping partners.

 

[Z31]

Out of curiosity, what does Toromont/CAT charge for an analysis? I have one just down the street but never thought to ask about oil analysis. The last time I did one was in 2022 and I used AGAT Labs - cost me $40 CDN at the time with "free" shipping because I just dropped the sample off at one of their local shipping partners.

I think it's around $30 CDN? Similar to the Blackstone kit, they give you a jar and a paper to fill out for into. Just drop it back off at the office, and they send to a lab in Montreal. Usually about two weeks for the results, sometimes a bit less.

They don't give you much of a blurb, just the raw data. Just watching for trends. I keep track of all the oil changes, save the receipts, etc, but it's nice to have a solid record backup if there was ever a warranty issue.