0W20 VS 5W30 VS 0W40 Motor oil for track use

[lucky phil]

Got my analysis kit waiting for my next oil change with Liquid Moly 5W-30 special tech. I'll wait until I get a few more events on my engine. I have 3 so far on this oil change.

I did one track day in 2022 with the OEM 0W-20, but changed to 5W-30 we'll see how my engine looks at ~35K.

I've often wondered what you would do with oil analysis results that didn't come back all good. I know precisely whats involved in oil analysis as I've done them all my working life on big gas turbine engines on commercial jets. We would sometimes pull and engine and send it to the shop to be stripped on the results of oil analysis but that was a big airline paying for the work.
Same for race teams or interstate trucking companies. They have a cost benefit matrix with regards to these things and the resources to pay for preventative maintenance.
What does the average punter do when his oil analysis comes back with say elevated Copper or Lead count for the second time in a row but the engine is running just fine? Do you go to Toyota or any manufacturer and demand they strip the engine to find out why? Or do you pull the engine and do it yourself or pay your mechanic or sell the car?
I'm interested in what the utility of oil analysis is unless you are prepared to start stripping an engine before it shows actual physical signs of mechanical distress. Personally even with my engineering background and background in building road and race engine over the years I think I'd rather not be musing on potential issues because of raised counts on stuff. Raised Silicon and some other stuff can be explained away and ignored but what if it's "making metal" as we used to call it in my professional life. What as an average punter are you going to do? Unless the answer is strip the engine to investigate then it seems a waste of effort to me.

Phil

Sponsored

 

[decodeddiesel]

Start budgeting for an engine replacement. ?

 

[razorlab]

Putting some oil in a little container, putting it in a pre-paid envelope, and then walking down to my mail box is a huge effort. Sometimes I wonder how I even survive the task.

 

[digicidal]

Putting some oil in a little container, putting it in a pre-paid envelope, and then walking down to my mail box is a huge effort. Sometimes I wonder how I even survive the task.

I find it helps to peek through my blinds to make sure none of the neighbors are outside their homes... doesn't reduce the effort by much, but it definitely cuts down on wasted time.

 

[PaulFRDE]

I've often wondered what you would do with oil analysis results that didn't come back all good. I know precisely whats involved in oil analysis as I've done them all my working life on big gas turbine engines on commercial jets. We would sometimes pull and engine and send it to the shop to be stripped on the results of oil analysis but that was a big airline paying for the work.
Same for race teams or interstate trucking companies. They have a cost benefit matrix with regards to these things and the resources to pay for preventative maintenance.
What does the average punter do when his oil analysis comes back with say elevated Copper or Lead count for the second time in a row but the engine is running just fine? Do you go to Toyota or any manufacturer and demand they strip the engine to find out why? Or do you pull the engine and do it yourself or pay your mechanic or sell the car?
I'm interested in what the utility of oil analysis is unless you are prepared to start stripping an engine before it shows actual physical signs of mechanical distress. Personally even with my engineering background and background in building road and race engine over the years I think I'd rather not be musing on potential issues because of raised counts on stuff. Raised Silicon and some other stuff can be explained away and ignored but what if it's "making metal" as we used to call it in my professional life. What as an average punter are you going to do? Unless the answer is strip the engine to investigate then it seems a waste of effort to me.

Phil

Well firstly it's a nice proof that that oil in that condition is working, which is good for everybody on the forum I would say .
Also some of the result can help you choose another oil over time, with time the tolerance inside the engine will change and it might be useful to switch to a heavier oil.

Concerning your previous post, the choice of oil is always heavily discussed in all car forum, but the key point is actually oil pressure and flow, which is always a big debate as oil goes thinner with high temps.

 

[razorlab]

the choice of oil is always heavily discussed in all car forum, but the key point is actually oil pressure and flow, which is always a big debate as oil goes thinner with high temps.

I can add some data here.

Oil pressure hits oil pressure targets with no issues at the beginning of the session and at the end of the session with all temps up in this log:

 

[B58_ hwAyaq]

I've often wondered what you would do with oil analysis results that didn't come back all good.

…


What as an average punter are you going to do? Unless the answer is strip the engine to investigate then it seems a waste of effort to me.

Phil

May not result in tearing down an engine, however, it would inform the owner and may result in an accelerated timeline to exit the vehicle.

I may have had plans to keep the car for x years, but repeated poor oil analyses may make me want to get out before maintenance or failures become a headache.

 

[Rocksandblues]

I stick my pinky in the used oil during oil changes. If i don't taste any metals I know I am good.

 

[Ryanthetemp]

I've often wondered what you would do with oil analysis results that didn't come back all good. I know precisely whats involved in oil analysis as I've done them all my working life on big gas turbine engines on commercial jets. We would sometimes pull and engine and send it to the shop to be stripped on the results of oil analysis but that was a big airline paying for the work.
Same for race teams or interstate trucking companies. They have a cost benefit matrix with regards to these things and the resources to pay for preventative maintenance.
What does the average punter do when his oil analysis comes back with say elevated Copper or Lead count for the second time in a row but the engine is running just fine? Do you go to Toyota or any manufacturer and demand they strip the engine to find out why? Or do you pull the engine and do it yourself or pay your mechanic or sell the car?
I'm interested in what the utility of oil analysis is unless you are prepared to start stripping an engine before it shows actual physical signs of mechanical distress. Personally even with my engineering background and background in building road and race engine over the years I think I'd rather not be musing on potential issues because of raised counts on stuff. Raised Silicon and some other stuff can be explained away and ignored but what if it's "making metal" as we used to call it in my professional life. What as an average punter are you going to do? Unless the answer is strip the engine to investigate then it seems a waste of effort to me.

Phil

I get where you are coming from.

Ryan

 

[lucky phil]

I can add some data here.

Oil pressure hits oil pressure targets with no issues at the beginning of the session and at the end of the session with all temps up in this log:

Oil pressure look fine. All the temps are "getting up there" but safe. What oil grade are you running?

Phil

 

[lucky phil]

I stick my pinky in the used oil during oil changes. If i don't taste any metals I know I am good.

Probably for the best

Phil

 

[lucky phil]

May not result in tearing down an engine, however, it would inform the owner and may result in an accelerated timeline to exit the vehicle.

I may have had plans to keep the car for x years, but repeated poor oil analyses may make me want to get out before maintenance or failures become a headache.

Yea, not a bad point I guess.

Phil

 

[razorlab]

Oil pressure look fine. All the temps are "getting up there" but safe. What oil grade are you running?

Phil

Motul Xcess 5w40

 

[lucky phil]

Motul Xcess 5w40

Well then that seems like a good weight choice for the track and conditions. The other thing I was musing on with regards to oil viscosity and people with oil consumption issues is apart from the obvious possible benefit to consumption running a heavier hot spec oil is whether the grade of oil has an influence on the stupid electronic oil level indication system. I couldn't find any information on the relative differences in temp induced expansion rate between say a 20 weight oil and a 40 weight oil. Probably be insignificant but it might make a slight difference to the electronic read. Not sure. Relative expansion rates between different fluids is easy to find but between oil grades not so much. Enquiring minds need to know.

Phil

 

[razorlab]

Well then that seems like a good weight choice for the track and conditions. The other thing I was musing on with regards to oil viscosity and people with oil consumption issues is apart from the obvious possible benefit to consumption running a heavier hot spec oil is whether the grade of oil has an influence on the stupid electronic oil level indication system. I couldn't find any information on the relative differences in temp induced expansion rate between say a 20 weight oil and a 40 weight oil. Probably be insignificant but it might make a slight difference to the electronic read. Not sure. Relative expansion rates between different fluids is easy to find but between oil grades not so much. Enquiring minds need to know.

Phil

I find it absolutely hilarious that the guy that was talking shit on oil testing saying it wasn’t worth the effort is the same guy geeking out on oil expansion rates.

Sponsored