ajpulley

I just got my report back from Blackstone Labratories, and thought I would share.

My first few oil changes I used Valvoline Premium Blue. After a few changes, I started using Premium Blue Extreme and extending the oil change intervals to 15,000 miles. My first filter was a Mopar, the rest have been a Fleetguard LF3972. I don't add oil or change filters between normal changes. This change, I only had 13,000 miles when I sent in this sample. If I'm understanding these numbers correctly, I could've gotten a few thousand more miles out of this oil.

Who else changes their oil at extended intervals?

If I do this right, you should be able to see it. I hope admin doesn't mind me posting this since I paid for the test and results. I couldn't copy and paste the text, so I'm posting it.

Roperteacher

Looks good! I am currently running the Premium blue as well. I just can't make myself leave the oil in there that long, but the owners manual does say 15,000 Schedule A! Do you do lots of towing? I tow frequently and heavy and live in a hot dry climate... thanks for posting~

ajpulley

I had a hard time not changing my oil sooner... which is what prompted me to get an analysis. I tow occasionally.

JWillms81

looks good, I have there little test bottle sitting in my garage waiting for the next change, Im around 7K on some Rotela and was thinking about changing it in the next couple weeks. I dont tow much but do a lot of stop and go driving in town and long road trips from time to time. Im creeping up on 100K so I thought now would be a good time to test the oil and see what all is going on.
JW

Roperteacher

I test my oil every single change since new . Every 5,000 miles. Factory oil was changed out at 500 miles. Second oil was changed at 3,000, now every 5,000. I keep all my Blackstone lab reports in a binder for reference. I never used to ck it at all, figured since I was only going 5,000 didn't need it, but you sure can see little problems before they come big ones!!!

dwo3rd

I have been at 20,000 mile intervals using Amsoils heavy duty diesel oil and thier EA oil filter. The analysis always say it's still good and could run more, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

SundayMoney

I change mine every 7500 miles. I'm always towing something. From my little 14' aluminum boat,to a quad trailer,to an 11,000lb fifth wheel.

Cummins says you can run 7500/15000. I've seen a ton of UOAs backing up their claim.

If anyone is going to know how long you can run your oil,its gonna be Cummins.

67HotRod

My coworker here at work does his oil changes at 30K miles. He did oil anlalysis every 5k up to the 30k mark twice. Analysis said the oil was still good. This was with no filter or topping up. He changed it at 30K, just for the heck of it. Truck is a 94, light towing. Last dyno was just above the 400hp mark.

D-Roc

That uoa looks good for mileage, especially on dino. My preference is for lower iron, so I change mine out early. 60-70ppm FE is getting up there...

ajpulley

Sometimes, the numbers do get confusing. I looked at what the high elements are. Molybdenum, boron, calcium, phosphorus and zinc are oil additives. The iron I need to watch, and I have no idea what silver represents. I think I'll send a sample of virgin oil next time to get a base of where additive and the TBN start at.

I've got one more filter left, then I'll try using the Fleetguard StrataPore synthetic filters and see if that helps lower the iron and silver and keep abrasion down.

If I could get 20K out of each change, that would be great, but I'm happy with 15K since I have to do the fuel filter anyway. The air filter always looks like it could go another 5K easily.

D-Roc

I think what is going to keep wear down for you is bypass filtration. Without it, soot can cause you some issues... From there you can make sure to run a top quality synthetic HDEO (like VPBX that you use), and as you mentioned, a synthetic media filter- (there are other heavy duty brands out there besides Fleetguard which are just as good). All three of these combined will do far more to extend your intervals than your current setup. You've got an expensive engine, and if you are decided upon extended, then the steps I have outlined above will get you off to a good start. Like I mentioned before, your uoa looks good, but 68ppm FE is a tad on the high side- nowhere near out of range by any means. But creeping up there just the same.
But, at least now you have a baseline.

05mxdiesel

Nice add. pkg on the VPBX and TBN after 13k. Nothing out of the ordinary but from the wear numbers it looks like the engine hasn't totally broken in yet. You agree Droc?

DBLR

Looked good for the miles on the oil. But I think you should be using the Fleetguard Stratapore filters being your going doing 13-15K OCI's and the Fleetguard Stratapore is better then the Mopar paper media filters and why I use the Fleetguard Stratapore oil filters.

ajpulley

What is bypass filtration? I would like to keep the iron at a lower level, if that would help it.

Yes, the next order to Scheid Diesel will be the Stratapore filters.

C Schomer

Do a search on oil bypass filters. They are high efficiency but really low flow so they tap into the oil supply and return back to the crankcase. They keep the oil cleaner so you can run it longer. They are the perfect compliment for extended changes. It would be interesting to see what a bypass would do for your iron - it should help by reducing the abrasive stuff in the oil and keeping the additive package in better shape. I just got a report on my Schaeffer 7000 oil today. 9500 miles and the iron was 14, silicon was 2.3. 6 is also good - it indicates good air filtration. Craig