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Old 10-21-2007, 12:08 AM   #1
alanlcit
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Default Used Oil Analysis - Castrol Syntec 10W40 - Subaru WRX STi, 2nd sample

A few months ago I posted my first Castrol Syntec UOA...this is the second one, and you can compare to the first below...

Driving style:
A few full throttle freeway onramp pulls. Don't take it quite all the way to redline (6500 max). I don't race the car, and I don't track it. I use the car as a daily driver, for both my commute and on longer trips.

Driving conditions:
This oil was used through the San Diego summer, with a few trips with temperatures in the upper 90's/low 100's.

Consumption:
Generally, the consumption has been a bit lower than it was with Mobil 1. For this 4500-mile interval, I used a total of 1.7qts (1.3qts makeup oil was added, plus 0.4qts short after the drain). I tend not to put much stock in the leaky gasket theory they propose, since the consumption has always been this way...wouldn't a leaky gasket/seal be noticeable from outside the engine as a leak?...I don't have any oil leaking from anywhere on the engine. I've always assumed that it just burns/evaporates.
For Mobil 1 with a 4500 mile interval, I would think I would have burned upwards of 2 quarts...probably 2.5. So a little improvement.

I'm now running Amsoil 5W30 (can't remember the exact letters of the oil-type...not the super long life variety) in my engine (it's cooled down again in San Diego now, so I think this will be ok)...we'll see how that does in a few months. Out of caution, I'll be changing that after 4k miles...then extend the interval if it all looks good.

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Old 10-21-2007, 07:32 AM   #2
mikeythejew
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Your report looks good. Maybe some oil is leaking past a seal in the turbo and getting sucked into the engine?
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Old 10-21-2007, 09:03 AM   #3
CynicX
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Most likely the oil is going through a turbo seal and out the exhaust. Generally oil analysis have a hard time seeing a turbo seal problem...
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Old 10-22-2007, 09:08 AM   #4
bluesubie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alanlcit View Post
I tend not to put much stock in the leaky gasket theory they propose, since the consumption has always been this way...wouldn't a leaky gasket/seal be noticeable from outside the engine as a leak?...I don't have any oil leaking from anywhere on the engine. I've always assumed that it just burns/evaporates.
I agree. Even though your consumption is "normal" I don't think I would stick with the Syntec 10W40. The uoa looks good!

-Dennis
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Old 10-22-2007, 06:00 PM   #5
leecea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesubie View Post
...I don't think I would stick with the Syntec 10W40.
I just switched to dino 10w40 a couple of changes ago (M1 5w30 previously), so I'm curious as to why you say NOT to stick with this oil.
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Old 10-22-2007, 07:25 PM   #6
Scoobie Steve
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Your oil is most likely going in your intake like every other turbo subaru. They have the crappiest crank venting system known to man! Check your intercooler I bet its oily.
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Old 10-22-2007, 09:29 PM   #7
bluesubie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leecea View Post
I just switched to dino 10w40 a couple of changes ago (M1 5w30 previously), so I'm curious as to why you say NOT to stick with this oil.
At less than 5k, the oil should have done a little better with consumption for synthetic IMO. I definitely wouldn't run conventional 10W40 past 3k miles. It will shear very quickly unless you're running something with a robust additive pack, like a diesel oil. Although it's better than running conventional xW30 and having that shear to a 20 grade.

-Dennis
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Old 10-23-2007, 09:43 AM   #8
leecea
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Thanks. The more I read NASIOC, the more confused I am about oil!

I ran M1 5w30 for ages and it seemed fine, then I read all the doom and destruction threads about that being way too thin if you push the car hard in the summer (though it was still within grade on my UOA).

I also switched jobs and now have a very much shorter commute, so my oil temps are not getting up there, which I believe will lead to fuel dilution issues.

So, my decision was switch to a cheaper and thicker oil, and change it frequently - less than 3K. Hence, dino 10w40.

In the winter, I'll run 5w30 again to help with cold startup issues.

Actually seems like a lot of fuss over nothing, since my car burns zero oil of any kinda at 50K miles and lots of autox runs.
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Old 10-23-2007, 09:54 AM   #9
bluesubie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leecea View Post
I also switched jobs and now have a very much shorter commute, so my oil temps are not getting up there, which I believe will lead to fuel dilution issues.
Fuel dilution can be as tough (or tougher) on oil as very hard driving so changing often is a good idea. My daily trips are 5 miles each way, but I still run oil for 6-7k. Here's my last uoa .

A guy on subaruforester.org used to run GTX 10W40 in an FXT and it always sheared to a low 30 grade. There are lots of Viscosity Index Improvers in a 10W40. They're the first thing that's depleted in oil.

-Dennis

Last edited by bluesubie; 10-23-2007 at 10:03 AM.
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