[335NJ]

my second Blackstone Oil analysis done on this car, and it brought up some interesting finds. I'm looking for some input, if you have any it's appreciated.

This car was bought with 37k, and had good service history which I obtained from the local BMW dealer. Oil changes done routinely, brake flushes, etc. I take good care of my cars, Oil change every 4-5k, typically I try for a lower amount than that, but I was having a shop do them for me so it wasn't as easy to get the car there. They were using Valvoline SynPower 5w30, which I wasn't a huge fan of, but it wasn't a big deal, but recently when I called them to schedule an oil change, they never bothered to call me back, so I'm doing my own oil changes now, like I have all my adult life.

I don't give the car any heavy load/throttle when it's still below Op. temp, and even when I'm cruising around, I'll only go WOT maybe 1-2 times a week, so wear and tear should be at a minimum i'd expect, contrary to the BSL report. I'm now using BMW Twin-Power turbo (The new stuff) 5w30, with a Mann filter, and will hopefully know a bit more in 4k miles, hopefully this is simply due to cheap barrel synthetic my Indy used..

BSL is thinking bearing wear.

[Sgop335]

Valvoline 5w30 on a twin turbo is a No. A3/B4 specs are meant for a reason. With your new oil you should be ok.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Valvoline 5w30 on a twin turbo is a No. A3/B4 specs are meant for a reason. With your new oil you should be ok.

Yeah, I was hoping its oil related also. If the next report comes back healthy, I'm going to let them know, even though they could careless.

For the record, this shop specializes in high end car repair, and the sell these cars too. Meaning Ferrari, McLaren, Alpina B7's, you name it, they've pumped cheap oil into..

[Fundguy1]

I like how they make you worried then say check back in 4,000 miles. Marketing 101. More biz for them. Lol

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

I like how they make you worried then say check back in 4,000 miles. Marketing 101. More biz for them. Lol

They're able to tell you quite a bit from the oil sample, if numbers come back abnormal for any reason, it's suggested you check again next oil change to see if things are getting worse. $25 to tell me everything I need to know, including letting me know if my bearings are wearing heavily, fuel in the oil, etc. isn't bad in my opinion.

If I was planning on running a big ST, or tracking the car a lot, I'd be happy to know if there's something I can't see going on.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Ok....if I was running a Bugatti or mc claren I would consider oil analysis...but these guys are fear mongers that capitalize on the car guy that thinks too much.....man you will know when your oil isn't doing its job(car no turn over----car no move)
Just change your oil often and use oe filters and no worry!
Mmmm...ughh!!! :

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Ok....if I was running a Bugatti or mc claren I would consider oil analysis...but these guys are fear mongers that capitalize on the car guy that thinks too much.....man you will know when your oil isn't doing its job(car no turn over----car no move)
Just change your oil often and use oe filters and no worry!
Mmmm...ughh!!! :

If your car doesn't turn over, or car no move, it's already a bit late for oil analysis

I actually have a pretty good idea that the shitty oil the shop was using was not doing its job as well as this engine demands, hence the slightly higher amounts of iron and chromium.

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Ok....if I was running a Bugatti or mc claren I would consider oil analysis...but these guys are fear mongers that capitalize on the car guy that thinks too much.....man you will know when your oil isn't doing its job(car no turn over----car no move)
Just change your oil often and use oe filters and no worry!
Mmmm...ughh!!! :

With more instances of bearing failure showing up in the n54, I think getting an oil analysis is pretty smart

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

If your car doesn't turn over, or car no move, it's already a bit late for oil analysis

I actually have a pretty good idea that the shitty oil the shop was using was not doing its job as well as this engine demands, hence the slightly higher amounts of iron and chromium.

I would just change oil more often.....but hey it's your money......$25 will almost buy you enough oil for another change.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

I would just change oil more often.....but hey it's your money......$25 will almost buy you enough oil for another change.

This was done at 4,500-5,000 miles, not anywhere near a long interval change. Any sooner would be overkill for how I drive my car, however I try not to get to 5k, I think 4,500 is fine.

Also I'm not doing this to see how much longer I can get my oil to last, so changing my oil sooner won't have any effect on antifreeze getting in the oil, bearings wearing, etc. Any synthetic should easily do its job for 4,500-5,000 on a non-tracked car.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by MiniXP

With more instances of bearing failure showing up in the n54, I think getting an oil analysis is pretty smart

Bearing failure could have numerous causes other than oil....eg....manufacturing defect/metal fatigue fractures,clearances/tolerances,design flaw failure....oil starvation or lack of oil flow to that general area.......I'm just pointing out that oil isn't the primary concern when you consider these other factors....and by simply changing oil more often and all the data that blackstone gives you isn't worth zilch if any of the problems are cause from aforementioned causes of failure.....I'm just saying that oils today are pretty advanced and it's more likely an engineering problem than oil problem.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

This was done at 4,500-5,000 miles, not anywhere near a long interval change. Any sooner would be overkill for how I drive my car, however I try not to get to 5k, I think 4,500 is fine.

Also I'm not doing this to see how much longer I can get my oil to last, so changing my oil sooner won't have any effect on antifreeze getting in the oil, bearings wearing, etc. Any synthetic should easily do its job for 4,500-5,000 on a non-tracked car.

For sure,that seems like a good interval for semi-aggressive street driving.
I'm just saying most oil today is good stuff it's what you put the oil in that's not lol!

[Fundguy1]

I'm at 208,000. Haven't seen any bearing failures. I'm sure there are some but it's in no way common. If it blows, it blows. I'll just get a used block and pop it in. Next.

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Bearing failure could have numerous causes other than oil....eg....manufacturing defect/metal fatigue fractures,clearances/tolerances,design flaw failure....oil starvation or lack of oil flow to that general area.......I'm just pointing out that oil isn't the primary concern when you consider these other factors....and by simply changing oil more often and all the data that blackstone gives you isn't worth zilch if any of the problems are cause from aforementioned causes of failure.....I'm just saying that oils today are pretty advanced and it's more likely an engineering problem than oil problem.

A lot of people seem to think it's caused by leaky injectors. I'm not sure if I buy that, but an oil analysis would tell if there is too much fuel in the oil. Honestly $25 each oil change is not that much. It costs by about $40 or $50 for an oil change, 25 on top of that isn't that bad considering what some people pay to have their oil change.

I spun a bearing in my motor, so I may be a little over paranoid compared to the average person.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by MiniXP

A lot of people seem to think it's caused by leaky injectors. I'm not sure if I buy that, but an oil analysis would tell if there is too much fuel in the oil. Honestly $25 each oil change is not that much. It costs by about $40 or $50 for an oil change, 25 on top of that isn't that bad considering what some people pay to have their oil change.

I spun a bearing in my motor, so I may be a little over paranoid compared to the average person.

Which bearing and was this on your current 335?

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Which bearing and was this on your current 335?

I think it was the #4 bearing and yes. 2 week after I got it with just 61k on it. I had records of oil changes at the dealer every 15k.

I went with a motor out of a salvaged car to replace it as that was cheaper than a rebuild. Was still over 10k after labor and associated parts, although that does include new turbos and a new clutch and having the drop the subframe again for an oil pan gasket leak that showed up after a test drive.

[Fundguy1]

You're the first bad bearing I've heard of with an N54.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Yeah I think the OCI on the 335 is way too long and you also bought yours used so who knows what previous owner did to the car(tracked,neglect,etc)
But I see that you may be more paranoid than the avg consumer so the blackstone analysis is a perfect therapy to calm you......man I couldn't imagine spending 10k plus for a repair....I may be singing the same tune as you if I walked your shoes on that experience.
KCCO brother!!

[Needbmwpartzz]

But ya OP don't use valvoline on the BMW....use dealer oil or German castrol edge(good stuff)IMO

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

But ya OP don't use valvoline on the BMW....use dealer oil or German castrol edge(good stuff)IMO

I found out it was Valvoline after having the oil changed

I never had any reason to doubt they were using quality oil, considering the cars they serviced, but when I had the change done I asked since i'd need that info for the BSL report, and the "SA" at the shop told me they use SynPower..

So yeah, never again. I just did my OC using the new Twin-Power turbo BMW/Shell oil. Plan to use Motul X-Cess 8100 or something of that nature next time, Checkered recommended it on N54Tech, and has been using it for awhile without an issue.

[kfrazie1]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Valvoline 5w30 on a twin turbo is a No. A3/B4 specs are meant for a reason. With your new oil you should be ok.

Valvoline Synpower 5W-30 is BMW LL-01 approved. There is nothing wrong with using that oil.

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

I'm at 208,000. Haven't seen any bearing failures. I'm sure there are some but it's in no way common. If it blows, it blows. I'll just get a used block and pop it in. Next.

This.