[jokers_greg]

Anyone use an oil analysis lab in the GTA? What were your experiences. Do you recommend doing this for an N54 to predict rod bearing condition?

[neilvan]

Use good oil, change it very regularly and don't over rev; you won't have to bother with that for an N54.

[jokers_greg]

I know, but I bought this car second hand and it’s pushing a lot more power than stock. If I had the engine the whole time I wouldn’t worry until around 300-350k. But as there was another owner I’d like to see if there are any signs of wear.

[neilvan]

Unless it was purchased with power mods installed, 200+ km, abused car or they specified they used royal purple/ mobil1 I wouldn't worry.

I bought mine at 121k, Use Motul every 6-7K and not even second guessing it with almost near double the power. I build motors regularly and as far as I know all of the testing facilities are in the states.

You have a factory oil cooler correct?

[jokers_greg]

Originally Posted by neilvan

You have a factory oil cooler correct?

Not until I bought the car at roughly 220,000 kms unfortunately. I'm hopeful everything's good but I don't see why it would hurt to check and give me some peace of mind.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by neilvan

Unless it was purchased with power mods installed, 200+ km, abused car or they specified they used royal purple/ mobil1 I wouldn't worry.

I bought mine at 121k, Use Motul every 6-7K and not even second guessing it with almost near double the power. I build motors regularly and as far as I know all of the testing facilities are in the states.

You have a factory oil cooler correct?

What weight you use and consider good?

I use the Castrol 0W-40 right now that is A3/B4.

[neilvan]

At 220 I can see your concern. Have you done any oil changes on it yet? (yourself).

Cooler will help the oil protect a little better than without.

For oil I use 5w40 Motul 8100 (I use it in the race car too but might move up to 5w50). Mine is only a summer car but for winter climates out of the GTA 0W40 is better for those winter months. IMO 0w30/5w30 is way too thin for the oil temp these engines get it(Thinner oils keep gaining ground for emissions reasons at the expense of wear/longevity)

[jokers_greg]

Originally Posted by neilvan

At 220 I can see your concern. Have you done any oil changes on it yet? (yourself).

Cooler will help the oil protect a little better than without.

For oil I use 5w40 Motul 8100 (I use it in the race car too but might move up to 5w50). Mine is only a summer car but for winter climates out of the GTA 0W40 is better for those winter months. IMO 0w30/5w30 is way too thin for the oil temp these engines get it(Thinner oils keep gaining ground for emissions reasons at the expense of wear/longevity)

I'll be doing my 3rd in a couple weeks to kick off spring and a new driving season

I'll see what the old oil looks like for a quick visual inspection, but this was sort of the main reason for this thread. Would be nice if I could have it quickly analyzed for peace of mind

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by jokers_greg

I'll be doing my 3rd in a couple weeks to kick off spring and a new driving season

I'll see what the old oil looks like for a quick visual inspection, but this was sort of the main reason for this thread. Would be nice if I could have it quickly analyzed for peace of mind

I mean ya take a closer look for sparkles. But if you really need it checked you're going to have to send it to the u.s OR send to a shop here that will outsource to the u.s

[jokers_greg]

Originally Posted by neilvan

I mean ya take a closer look for sparkles. But if you really need it checked you're going to have to send it to the u.s OR send to a shop here that will outsource to the u.s

Thanks for the heads up.

I was hoping someone who had actually done this in the GTA would speak up though, I hear about people doing the analysis with the S65 for its well known rod bearing failure history. I just wonder how accurate it is in determining premature failure on the n54's

[Nick.B]

Originally Posted by jokers_greg

..... I hear about people doing the analysis with the S65 for its well known rod bearing failure history. I just wonder how accurate it is in determining premature failure on the n54's

The oil analysis can't prove that the bearings are fine. It can show when they're in real trouble.

A friend with an S65 had been doing regular analysis of the oil. Always came back good, with a glowing review how the wear metals were similar or better than average. He noticed a new noise one day and decided he'd pull the caps and have a look anyways. They were worn through most of the bearing layers, almost down to the backing material. Very smoothly, evenly worn. The crank was fine. New bearings went in. The noise didn't go away, it was something else.

[jokers_greg]

Originally Posted by Nick.B

The oil analysis can't prove that the bearings are fine. It can show when they're in real trouble.

Naturally.

Originally Posted by Nick.B

A friend with an S65 had been doing regular analysis of the oil. Always came back good, with a glowing review how the wear metals were similar or better than average. He noticed a new noise one day and decided he'd pull the caps and have a look anyways. They were worn through most of the bearing layers, almost down to the backing material. Very smoothly, evenly worn. The crank was fine. New bearings went in. The noise didn't go away, it was something else.

OK so that's one for "I do not recommend".

Maybe I should've been clearer, I am aware that oil analysis is not a 100% accurate method to determine if everything is ok with your engine. I am asking if anyone has done an oil analysis with their n54 that alerted them to a problem they were unaware of before they would've been (like your friend's sudden noise).

[Nick.B]

Originally Posted by jokers_greg

.....I am asking if anyone has done an oil analysis with their n54 that alerted them to a problem they were unaware of before they would've been (like your friend's sudden noise).

Gotcha.