Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Bump Topic Add Reply RSS Feed

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 Blotter Spot Test Oil Analysis:VOA Helix HX7 5W30, 16,286 km blotter Shell Helix Ultra 5W40

views
     
TSzeng
post Aug 2 2021, 09:59 AM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(ahsam1212 @ Jul 30 2021, 05:28 PM)
user posted image

Proton inspira.
Car mileage : 178k km
Total semi 10w-40. 7500km. 24 hrs.
Looking clean n good.
*
Hi bro, sorry for the delayed response ....

You are right. It is clean and good.

Centre zone is not grayish or darkened, indicating quite low levels of heavy (metal wear?) or big sized contaminants within this 7500 km blotter sample. This is good news partially.

Just outside of Centre Zone is the aureole zone/ perimeter ring which 'unfortunately' seems to be emerging with slightly darkened shade ring indicating the phenomenon of agglomeration of combustion by-products has begun......though the used oil's detergency and dispersancy property has remained intact and in top shape thus far.

This darkening trend of aureole zone/perimeter ring is something to monitor closely with continuing further use of this 7500 km used Total 10W40 oil, if you so wished which I would.

External to this Aureole zone is the diffussion zone which is very light coloured, clean and transparent, indicating very low levels of contaminants (of lighter mass and density) within and it still carries plentiful detergency/dispersancy reserve capacity of absorbing/attracting additional quantities of 'foreign' materials yet to be released as combustion by-products with further use.

There is absence of darkened jagged external edge outside of Diffussion zone indicating absence of water moisture content within the used oil.

Another good news here is the absence of translucent halo at the outermost zone indicating absence of fuel dilution phenomenon.

In general I believe this 7500 km used oil is still in good shape and fit for continuing use, if one so wishes.

This Inspira engine of yours at 178k kms seems to be in very good shape and well taken care of imho.

Edit: Are you continuing the use of this 7500 kms Total oil?

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 2 2021, 10:24 AM
ahsam1212
post Aug 2 2021, 06:04 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
178 posts

Joined: Oct 2004
Will continue using till 10k km. Thanks Zeng for your view on the used oil.
TSzeng
post Aug 3 2021, 09:18 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(ahsam1212 @ Aug 2 2021, 06:04 PM)
Will continue using till 10k km. Thanks Zeng for your view on the used oil.
*
The following description may apply in your case :-
Attached Image
Attached Image
Bitog
ahsam1212
post Aug 5 2021, 01:29 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
178 posts

Joined: Oct 2004
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 3 2021, 09:18 PM)
The following description may apply in your case  :-
Attached Image
Attached Image
Bitog
*
Now my oil is probably somewhere in condition 3. Probably it will become condition 6 after more use isn't it?
Normally how long in terms of km will it turn to 6?
TSzeng
post Aug 5 2021, 02:33 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(ahsam1212 @ Aug 5 2021, 01:29 AM)
Now my oil is probably somewhere in condition 3. Probably it will become condition 6 after more use isn't it?
Normally how long in terms of km will it turn to 6?
*
Granted blotter tests are principally jugdemental and qualitative in the sense that it could not be 'quantified', I would rank your 7500 km Total 10W40 sample as somewhere around 1.7 or 1.8 where darkened aureole zone is yet to form.

Of course we could sometimes argue it is higher at 2.5 etc.

To get closer to Spot 3, your Total 10W40 could probably go up to 11,000 - 14,000 kms.

Spot 6 ? That's still very far imho until one gets into the regime above 20,000 km for this semisyn.

Note:Post #1 has links to some 15 blotter spot tests of my Total 7000 Energy 10W40 (SL A3B4) samples for comparison purpose.

Edit: Even though a Used Oil Analysis is 'quantitative' in providing numerical ppm's of various metal wear or metal elements, it is still basically a judgemental and qualitative analysis in terms of assessment/evaluation as to the state of 'wear' of the used oil sample and its stage of oil life journey etc.

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 5 2021, 02:41 PM
Quazacolt
post Aug 5 2021, 10:33 PM

Riding couple
*******
Senior Member
5,369 posts

Joined: Jan 2007
From: KL Malaysia
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 5 2021, 02:33 PM)
Edit: Even though a Used Oil Analysis is 'quantitative' in providing numerical ppm's of various metal wear or metal elements, it is still basically a judgemental and qualitative analysis in terms of assessment/evaluation as to the state of 'wear' of the used oil sample and its stage of oil life journey etc.
*
please don't continue with misinformation.

UOA have TBN and TAN assessment and that is a definitive and quantitative assessment of an oil lifespan.
HARD SOLID NUMBERS that you cannot judge and bias with.
Thrust
post Aug 6 2021, 07:41 AM

Power To The People!!!
*******
Senior Member
3,761 posts

Joined: Oct 2005
QUOTE(clockpulses @ Jun 6 2021, 12:24 PM)
How much is the retail price of HX8 X 5W30 at petrol station?

My Syntium 3000 i bought at Petronas for RM180.
Really need someone to convince me if i can drag the service interval to 9 or 12 months. Nowadays, because of mco i dont drive that often and dont want to go to workshop too often. I dont mind paying a RM180+/- oil as long as the oil is good and can stretch as long as possible. But i do drive the car once a week (over 80kmph) for about 20 minutes.

user posted image
*
I am using Syntium 3000 5w-30 also and I normally change it out when it kilometers hits 7000 - 8000 or in between 9-12 months.
90Boyz
post Aug 14 2021, 09:45 PM

UTMB !!
*******
Senior Member
3,730 posts

Joined: Dec 2004
From: Wangsa Maju
user posted image

Honda City GM2 year 2009
Current Odo : 145,045km
Date: 12/08/2021
Blotter time : 8:00am (picture after 48hrs)
oil age : 7,456km
Engine oil used : Aisin Engine Oil Fully Synthetic with Pao + Ester SN/CF 5W30 (4L)

This post has been edited by 90Boyz: Aug 14 2021, 09:45 PM
TSzeng
post Aug 15 2021, 11:56 AM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(90Boyz @ Aug 14 2021, 09:45 PM)
user posted image

Honda City GM2 year 2009
Current Odo : 145,045km
Date: 12/08/2021
Blotter time : 8:00am (picture after 48hrs)
oil age : 7,456km
Engine oil used : Aisin Engine Oil Fully Synthetic with Pao + Ester SN/CF 5W30 (4L)
*
Phewww...... the used oil blotter sample at 7500ish kms is like a new or underused oil.

The blotter is very clean, light coloured and transparent without 'structures' which indicates tip-top condition of this used oil.

There is total absence of slightly grayish/darkened Centre Zone, aureole zone (perimeter ring), Diffusion Zone etc indicating very very low levels of metal wears and combustion by-products.

No darkened external jagged edge (meaning little or no water moisture) and no translucent halo at outermost zone meaning no fuel dilution phenomenon.

The combination of engine mechanical condition, quality of this Aisin Pao+Ester and your driving pattern/maintenance regimes all contribute to this near-perfect blotter spot test sample at 7500ish kms, with a long long way to go as far as oil life is concerned.

In a way, this 145k kms 2009 Honda engine is like new!

Congratulations.

Edit: Just realise both Aisin Pao+Ester 5W30 and 5W40 are all Mid-SaPS oils, where Mid or Low SaPS are the ways to go folks.

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 15 2021, 12:31 PM
90Boyz
post Aug 16 2021, 11:20 AM

UTMB !!
*******
Senior Member
3,730 posts

Joined: Dec 2004
From: Wangsa Maju
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 15 2021, 11:56 AM)
Phewww...... the used oil blotter sample at 7500ish kms is like a new or underused oil.

The blotter is very clean, light coloured and transparent without 'structures' which indicates tip-top condition of this used oil.

There is total absence of slightly grayish/darkened  Centre Zone, aureole zone (perimeter ring), Diffusion Zone etc indicating very very low levels of metal wears and combustion by-products.

No darkened external jagged edge (meaning little or no water moisture) and no translucent halo at outermost zone meaning no fuel dilution phenomenon.

The combination of engine mechanical condition, quality of this Aisin Pao+Ester and your driving pattern/maintenance regimes all contribute to this near-perfect blotter spot test sample at 7500ish kms, with a long long way to go as far as oil life is concerned.

In a way, this 145k kms 2009 Honda engine is like new!

Congratulations.

Edit: Just realise both Aisin Pao+Ester 5W30 and 5W40 are all Mid-SaPS oils, where Mid or Low SaPS are the ways to go folks.
*
Thanks .
Oil level are dropping into low zone due to multi point leakage on engine
need to survey on getting reputed workshop to get it fix .
Next oil might be trying out is EXNII Extentios Molyplus
TSzeng
post Aug 16 2021, 01:08 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(90Boyz @ Aug 16 2021, 11:20 AM)
Thanks .
Oil level are dropping into low zone due to multi point leakage on engine
need to survey on getting reputed workshop to get it fix .
Next oil might be trying out is EXNII Extentios Molyplus
*
First check 30-40 mm below valve cover gasket level all around, if slightly 'wet' then valve cover gasket is the only problem and all others ok

If dry, next check spark plugs areas one by one. If 'wet', only spark plug(s) areas are leaking and other areas ok. If dry, no leaks from here.

Both the scenarios above are fast , easy and low cost jobs.

If both valve cover surroundings and all spark plug areas are dry, then check

a )around timing cover and,

b )bottom sump areas all round.

Dry one means good and no leak.

Slightly wet area is at oil sump nearer to transmission ---

it is front crankshaft oil seal only leaks (right between engine flywheel and manual/auto transmission). Timing cover no leaks.

If wet is observed on and below timing cover, then only timing cover is leaking. Front oil seal is ok.

In either one of both above , labour to replace oil seal is longer duration and more $$$.

Among the 4 potential leaking areas above, if your mechanic recommends any two areas or more of above .....
walk away from this mechanic and seek second opinion,
for you are striking lottery/jackpot IF if any two areas (out of 4) are both leaking simultaneously.

I suspect it is your valve cover gasket leaking.... which is quick and low rm to make good.

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 16 2021, 01:27 PM
TSzeng
post Aug 19 2021, 09:43 AM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(zeng @ Jun 8 2021, 03:01 PM)
Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 (Tesco) MB229.5
Oil Life : 8,784 km
6 months oil life .
ODO :322,798 km in
Car model: 2007 Toyota Avanza 1.3L
Engine: K3VE Multi Port Injection
Make up oil added : Nil, but .............
After current blotter spot test, some 100 mL of graphited engine oil in Elf Molygraphite 15W50 is added for its friction-reducing additives.

48 hour blotters,
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=Atta...ost&id=10905687
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=Atta...ost&id=10905688
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=Atta...ost&id=10905689
 
Comments to follow....
Ok, the centre zone of this 8,784 km M1 0W40 is a bit grayish but remains transparent and not darkened yet indicating a moderate level of heavy and/or big sized contaminants and dirts is present.

Aureole zone/perimeter ring is not darkened but merged nicely such one cannot visually 'see' the demarcation between centre zone vs aureole zone vs diffusion zone, i.e 'structures' are kind of not formed.
It indicates the contaminants are very well spread out from centre  zone and it has not begun agglomeration and thus is good news.

Diffusion zone (of inner half) is slightly grayish but remains transparent. The outer part of diffusion zone looks like a clean annulus indicating very negligible amount of dirt contaminants.

The jagged edge has begun to darken a bit indicating water moisture content seems to be building up, but no harm for now imho.

There may be a very faint shadow of translucent halo at the outermost zone .....
possibly very light level of fuel dilution IDK. How I wish inter-state travel balik kampung is not prohibited under current mco , so that this fuel thing may be 'evaporated' off with a high rpm drive of an hour or more.

Overall I'm of the opinion this M1 0W40 at 8,784 kms is fit for continuing service and remains good to go.

Note: These current blotters at 8,784 km contains purely M1 0W40 oil .
The 100 ml of so of Elf Molygraphite 15W50 is today added on for its friction-reducing additives as a 'top up'.

Note2: The dark black dots in the centres of the blotter spots are probably caused by dipstick ends in contact with the A4 paper whilst taking sample.
*
Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 (Tesco) MB229.5
Oil Life : 11,080 km
8 months oil life .
ODO :325,093 km in
Car model: 2007 Toyota Avanza 1.3L
Engine: K3VE Multi Port Injection
Make up oil added : Nil, but dipstick level drops a little bit.
Added some 100 mL of graphited engine oil in Elf Molygraphite 15W50 at ODO 323k km 2 months ago.

48 hour blotters,

Attached Image
Attached Image

With additional 2300 ish km travelled, previous evaluation on 2 months ago more or less Still applies in current blotter spot test.

Centre zone is transparent not darkened, absence of darkened aureole zone/perimeter, diffusion zone is transparent, some moisture signs and very very light fuel dilution halo, as like before.

No indication of commencement of agglomeration of dirt particles.

Detergency and Dispersancy properties are still performing as it should.

Imho, this 11,080 km used oil is still fit for continuing service and hence, keep going ..............

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 19 2021, 10:07 AM
TSzeng
post Aug 25 2021, 09:25 AM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(zeng @ May 15 2020, 02:12 PM)
Latest update from Mercedes as of today :
Shell Helix HX8 5W30 has still no MB 229.5 approval yet .
*
Latest update:

This Shell HX8 X 5W30 currently has MB229.5 OEM approval!

Kudos to Shell....

I would highly recommend this very high specs with strong components protection HX8 X 5W30 oils to those of you who prefers xW30 to an xW40.

Attached Image
Attached Image

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 25 2021, 09:28 AM
TSzeng
post Aug 25 2021, 10:10 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(Thrust @ Jun 5 2021, 07:57 AM)
Between the Shell HX8 X 5W-30 vs the Petronas Syntium 3000 5W-30, which one is actually better?

I have bought these 2 engine oil before.. The Shell was used in a Myvi. Noted it's clear colour engine oil which looks really clean and pure.

Syntium on the other hand was used in a Honda. Looks like your regular gold dyed engine oil,
*
Hi,

New development as stated above.

The current generation of Shell HX8 X 5W30 with a newly acquired OEM MB 229.5 approval status would beat the hell out of the relatively 'lowly' Petronas Syntium 3000 5W30, in terms of performance specifications.

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 25 2021, 10:15 PM
Thrust
post Aug 26 2021, 08:29 AM

Power To The People!!!
*******
Senior Member
3,761 posts

Joined: Oct 2005
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 25 2021, 10:10 PM)
Hi,

New development as stated above.

The current generation of Shell HX8 X 5W30 with a newly acquired OEM MB 229.5 approval status would beat the hell out of the relatively 'lowly' Petronas Syntium 3000 5W30, in terms of performance specifications.
*
I believe the current HX8X in market circulation are the still old stock without the MB229.5 approval. Probably have to wait until next year before we start seeing the newly enhanced HX8X.
TSzeng
post Aug 26 2021, 12:47 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(zeng @ Jan 22 2019, 05:34 PM)
Toyota Type IV ATF
32138 km in Avanza 1.3 automatic transmissions.
50 hour blotter spot.
[attachmentid=10168010]
https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads//attach-2/...-1548149675.jpg
*
On July 2020 after 18 months and 27k kms later at Odo 306,197 km another ATF drain and fill was carried out whereby one bottle 473 mL of K&W High Mileage Trans-X 75K Automatic Transmission Treatment was added, for the fun of it rather than related to any transmission shift problem then.

The transmission shift has smoothened and improved especially during everyday cold morning first shift.

Attached below is a 13 month 'dirtier' looking ATF Blotter Spot Test K&W mixture after 18,896 km at Odo 325,093 km and going......

Attached Image

Attached Image

Attached Image

Attached Image

Attached Image

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 26 2021, 01:18 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
dopamine
post Aug 27 2021, 05:27 PM

Casual
***
Junior Member
450 posts

Joined: Dec 2006
Hi bro Zeng, pls help to review .
Suzuki swift 2007 1.5l, using Petronas 5w30 Syntium 3000 FR Fully Synthetic

Last changed EO on 3-July-2020
Current mileage clocked at 98k
EO only run for 3K

1st photo: 24 hours
2nd photo: 48 hours

This car is only used for short distance travelling.
EO still can continue to use?


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image Attached Image
TSzeng
post Aug 28 2021, 12:47 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,810 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(dopamine @ Aug 27 2021, 05:27 PM)
Hi bro Zeng, pls help to review .
Suzuki swift 2007 1.5l, using Petronas 5w30 Syntium 3000 FR Fully Synthetic

Last changed EO on 3-July-2020
Current mileage clocked at 98k
EO only run for 3K

1st photo: 24 hours
2nd photo: 48 hours
https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads//attach-12...-1630056122.jpg
https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads//attach-12...-1630056159.jpg

This car is only used for short distance travelling.
EO still can continue to use?
*
Hi Bro,

Short trips is said to be 'bad' for engines apparently due to tendency or promotion of corrosion wear related to cold engine oil operation.

This corrosion wear is being 'reflected' in your low'ish 3000 km blotter spot of a rather high specs (with Ford and Renault OEM approvals) Syntium 3000 FR 5W30 here.

There is absence of grayed or darkened Centre Zone, which is good news.

However there appears to be emergent darkening of Aureole Zone/ Perimeter Ring, which imho remains harmless for now.

You may want to monitor and watch closely the potential further darkening of this Aureole Zone/ perimeter ring with continuing usage of this 3000 km FR oil.

The Diffusion Zone is light and clear indicating very low levels of combustion dirts/contaminant , another good news meaning it still has a rather large capacity to further adsorb further release of combustion by-products/contaminants with continuing usage of this used oil.

No signs of water moisture or glycol coolant contamination in this blotter, again a good news.

Thers appears to be very slight fuel dilution issue with very light coloured and translucent halo at the outermost zone which I believe remains harmless, despite the short trip driving patterns .

Overall, I would rate this 3000 km FR oil as fit for continuing service with very close monitoring of its trending of darkened Aureole Zone if it ever surface in due course.

This post has been edited by zeng: Aug 28 2021, 01:03 PM
incredibless
post Aug 30 2021, 06:00 PM

Casual
***
Junior Member
437 posts

Joined: Jun 2012
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 25 2021, 10:10 PM)
Hi,

New development as stated above.

The current generation of Shell HX8 X 5W30 with a newly acquired OEM MB 229.5 approval status would beat the hell out of the relatively 'lowly' Petronas Syntium 3000 5W30, in terms of performance specifications.
*
that is good news. currently, I am using Syntium 3000 5w30 which is already due for change since July. I thinking about whether to continue the same oil or
switch to Shell HX8 X? For my past experience of Shell oil like HX7 5w30, the oil is on the heavier side and throttle not so responsive vs other oils I tried like Mobil, Petronas. Just checking how does this HX8 fare? hmm.gif
Thrust
post Aug 31 2021, 10:03 AM

Power To The People!!!
*******
Senior Member
3,761 posts

Joined: Oct 2005
QUOTE(zeng @ Aug 25 2021, 10:10 PM)
Hi,

New development as stated above.

The current generation of Shell HX8 X 5W30 with a newly acquired OEM MB 229.5 approval status would beat the hell out of the relatively 'lowly' Petronas Syntium 3000 5W30, in terms of performance specifications.
*
Hi Zeng,

Do you have any info on the minimum oil specification to meet the requirement for MB229.5?

I can't find any info on the MB 229.5 minimum requirement.
« Next Oldest · The Fast & The Furious · Next Newest »
 

48 Pages « < 41 42 43 44 > » Top
Add ReplyOptions
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
 0.0330sec    0.62    6 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 21st December 2025 - 12:26 PM
All Rights Reserved © 2002- 2025 Vijandren Ramadass (~unite against racism~)
Removal Request
Powered by Invision Power Board © 2025  IPS, Inc.