Thanks for the clarification. Just to avoid confusion, all the samples are running at 4500km and 3 months use. The 10k/6m was just ref against the normal change interval. I was asking around most ppl say if the 5w30 is correct rating then should be ok gua... I guess I was assuming Motul and Shell fully syn is more atas than Castrol, so net should be slightly more atas Castrol as a result kot.... sayang ehh after 4 change intervals will end up with about 3.6l of oil, enough for 1 oil round freee...

I got gan chiong when the rings appeared, then remembered I was chugging in carbon cleaner and 2 loads of injector then. I've been reading around but can't find a way to tell if my engine has been through more than normal wear or even the level of carbon buildup without going to open stuff up. Judging from online ref and the amount of leftovers after the first cleaning, it looks like I should still benefit from a 2nd run since I never did any of that throughout the engine's 10 yrs of life. Will prob do it just before my next oil change.

I'm also running a super scientific test with a fixed size double tape on the filtered side of the intake to compare stock vs oil filter. I just finished a week's run with the oil filter, and the tape is perfectly clean to the naked eye. The best part? The control tape on the pre-filter side is also perfectly clean LMAO. The only comfort prob lies in the fact that the inside part is still dust free as before as per the standardized "window finger technique" taught by asian mums.

This post has been edited by Dezs: Sep 12 2022, 09:17 AM

Oh sorry I wrongly assumed the blotter spot sample uploaded was at 10,000 km usage.
Anyway, the 'reading' generally applies.



Assuming all 3 brands above claims SN spec, then Shell Ultra 5W30 is top among 3 as it has additional MB 229.5 approval which is good for 30k km oil change interval (esp in Europe) in any gasoline MB cars purchased/produced yesterday.

The bottom among 3 is probably Castrol as this SN is likely without additional claims of ACEA A3B4/A5B5.

The Motul is likely in the middle as it probably has Additional ACEA spec (provided it is not SM spec).

Anyway, brands or base oils are not that important is assessing the quality of formulated engine oils. To me it is the part of meeting performance specifications like MB229.5/ VW504.507 or basic ACEA A3B4/A5B5 that is more relevant.

API SN is only a basic threshhold specification that almost ALL contemporary formulated engine oils in the market meet, and so is mediocre imho.

Note: I'm ignoring SP specs for now to avoid confusions when comparing oil qualities or its standard.



Agree with you that the slightly darkened perimeter ring aka aureole zone being observed at 4500km indicates signs of commencement of agglomeration of combustion byproducts in the used oil. This commencement of agglomeration is attributed to relatively substantial high amount of contaminants, which I believe is released from being stucked in say, piston ring grooves due to the use of carbon cleaner. I don't think the injector cleaner is of any help in dislodging the 'stucked' carbons from piston ring grooves other than cleaning up fuel injector for efficient spray pattern of fuels.




I thought you were talking about air filter only, but never mind.


This post has been edited by zeng: Sep 13 2022, 07:50 AM

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 (Tesco) MB229.5
Oil Life : 9,940 km
7+ months oil life thus far .
ODO :341,788 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L

48 hour blotters,



Comments to follow, next week.

Ah yes... still on air filter (oil performance vs paper stock) - well that failed horribly when even the control tape could'nt pick up enough dust to be noticeably different than clean tape even up close.

Thanks a lot for breaking down the details. I'm aware from exp Castrol is the lowest amongst those 3 in the mix (cheapest ma lol), but its also the best value fully syn I can get +it begins death at ngam ngam at 10-12k km for my regular change. I usually drop in an additive like Ceratec (tried X1-R once but I guess I trust Ceratec more now - 1/2 botol per change) when using that and it brings up the smoothness and efficiency to par or better than premium EOs out of the bottle. Didn't use it this round cause chapalang mix, dunno later explode haha.

My Motul bottle (H-Tech 100 was the product name) had the best engine performance (Economy/fuel wise it was on par with Mobil1 0w-30 but this was long time ago and way above budget, so it was just a fun test) but lifespan was normal, at 12k km when I did the change, feel the "sibeh smooth" starting to fade. Shell Ultra had the best lifespan even tho it didn't feel as smooth as Motul (and on the km/l, still top tier tho), I kinda regretted changing it 11k because it looked just like a few months off new - your input make be beh song finding out it could go until 30k lol.

The most haram jadah fully syn I tried was Bosch X7, felt not much better than semi-syn, and seriously degraded into crap by 9k. It was dirt cheap, so that should explain.

After seeing the reviews of HX-8 I might give it a try +additives if it blends well. I don't mind spending RM150 per oil change as better oil truly smoothens the engine all round. My next EO to try in the pipeline is Molygen - seen a lot of reviews this thing is da shiznit, but since Mobil1 say don't use with Ceratec, current gap in use should clear out the engine a bit.

I'd start looking up the specifications going forward.

This post has been edited by Dezs: Sep 14 2022, 09:53 AM

The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) is slightly grayed but remains transparent and is not opaque, indicating a certain level of high density/heavy metal wear particles.

The aureole zone/perimeter ring (of about 10 mm diameter size) is not darkened indicating absence of agglomeration of combustion by-products in the blotter sample. It represents the usual capability of used oil to detergent/dispersed contaminants within the used oil sample.

At 9940 km usage, the Diffusion Zone is generally grayed and slightly darkened but not opaque indicating a certain level of light/low density combustion by-products/contaminants. Notice that the outer annulus of the Diffusion Zone remains clear and light coloured but not graying/darkish which appears to be ready to absorb additional amounts of oil contaminants.

Darkened zig-zag outer edge is obvious and clearly seen indicating presence of oil oxidation phenomenon and/or presence of moisture.

Translucent halo is absent on the outermost zone (encircling the zig-zag edge) indicating absence of fuel dilution phenomenon in this 9940 km blotter sample.

As usual, there is no indication of coolant contamination of used oil.

Overall I'm of the opinion this 9940 km used oil is still serviceable and is currently operating at 14,000 km or thereabout.

This post has been edited by zeng: Sep 24 2022, 06:15 PM

using Aisin Fully Syn 5w-30

Halo bro Zeng, needing our expert opinion on this one, as I was experimenting with 'time' aspect of oil life, thanks ya..

Myvi Lagi Best 2014, 1.5L 3SZ-VE
Current mileage: 85,111km

Engine oil: Shell Helix Protect 0W-30 API SN Plus; ACEA A3/B4

Oil sample was taken on 27.12.2023, photo taken after 24 hours
Oil mileage: 9,596km
Oil age: 2 years 7 month

Last oil change was at 75,515 km, 10.05.2021

The car currently is being used by my parents, very very low monthly / yearly mileage, most of the time the commute was 10-15 minutes, eat kolo mee or buy sayur, then go back... The farthest maybe 3 hour trip here and there onece or twice a year.

I believe after more than 2 years inside the engine, close to 10k km mileage, the oil condition is nothing to worry about? Correct me if I'm wrong..
Oil will be changed once it hits 10k km


Attached thumbnail(s)

Sifu zeng

Can you help to interpret my oil? Thanks in advance

Engine: 4GR-FSE (direct injection)
Mileage: 166993km
Oil brand: unknown brand (just bought the car on Dec 2023)
Mileage: 3177km++ (I have added 3177km on top of previous owner use which is also not known)

Blotter was sampled during cold. Photo taken after 6 hours

Plan to change to Bold Atas EO. Hope it's good




This post has been edited by Dweller: Feb 9 2024, 04:09 PM

CHANGE IMMEDIATELY!

Quick answer:
Change, as suggested by e-lite but I would say do it as soon as possible like not more than 1-3 months (2-5K kms) from now.

Will give longer answer later.

Happy Chinese New Year to all folks out there.

Happy CNY to all



From my short searching, spot 3 is the most similar and indicate intermediate wear.

sorry but i try to keep it short. maybe zeng can elaborate more in the future

you might have excess fuel or coolant in your oil. there might be a leak that needs fixing. smell your oil if it smells of strong fuel smell

Yes, spot 3 best represents your sample.

It's mainly characterized by the dark and thick coloured annulus (of about 8 mm diameter size in your physical sample) - or what I called aureole zone and this is a 'lousy and bad' phenomenon of agglomeration of heavy size/weight metallic wear (mainly a metal wear caused by corrosion ) and combustion contaminants within your oil sample.

This post has been edited by zeng: Feb 10 2024, 02:43 PM

Would like to share some info that might be interest of you.

There is a German company doing UOA posted on oil-club.de with blotter test that might further improve your expertise. I think they using AD DT100DL machine. A sample of the UOAs are:-

https://oil-club.de/index.php?thread/7930-r...rid-5-tkm-100h/
https://oil-club.de/index.php?thread/10842-...9316-kilometer/

Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (MB229.5)
Oil Life : 14,184 km
8 months oil life thus far since Sept 2023.
ODO :380,740 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L

Note:
Top up at 12,000 km about 0.8L of mineral Shell Helix 15W40 (Yellow packing, SN) -due to timing cover oil seal leaks.

Samples were taken hot within 5 minutes of engine shut down after a 20-25 minutes drive.

48 hours blotters:

a)With back light


b)With NO back light



The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) is clear, transparent and not grayed, indicating absence of usually higher level of high density/heavy metal wear particles typically found in a 14K km blotters.

Question: Where has the typical heavy metal wear particles gone or why seems to disappear?

The aureole zone/perimeter ring (of about 10 mm diameter size) is absent and not darkened indicating absence of agglomeration of combustion by-products in the blotter sample.

It represents the usual capability of detergents in a used oil to disperse contaminants within the used oil sample.

At 14,184 km usage, the Diffusion Zone here is not grayed or darkened/opaque indicating an unusually low level of light/low density combustion by-products/contaminants despite its 'high' mileage of 14,184 km.

Please note the outer annulus of the Diffusion Zone (that stays within darkened zig-zag edge) remains clear and light coloured and not graying/darkish - which appears to be ready to absorb additional amounts of oil contaminants in this 14k km used oil sample.

Darkened zig-zag outer edge that is clearly seen here indicating presence of oil oxidation phenomenon and/or presence of moisture.

Translucent halo is obviously present on the outermost zone (encircling the zig-zag edge) indicating presence of fuel dilution phenomenon in this 14,184 km blotter sample.

Note: Daily driving pattern is 11km over 20-25 minutes one way in KV.

As usual, there is no indication of coolant contamination of used oil.

Despite its rather lengthy usage of 14,184 km thus far, imho this used oil (with some 0.8L top up in between) is still serviceable.

Hence I've no intention to get this used oil replaced at 15,000 km interval - strictly basing on the current blotter spot 'performance'.

We'll see how long further can this oil change interval be extended well beyond 15K km without harming the engine.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jun 22 2024, 11:22 AM

@cempedaklife, apologies for the late (and outdated) response, but anyway......
to complete the 'story' I would continue......

The Centre Zone of about 8mm diameter size is very marginally grayed but transparent indicating a very low level of heavy weight/high density metalic wear particles floating in the oil sample.

A slightly darkened aureole zone/ perimeter ring seems to be about to emerge indicating impending agglomeration of contaminants onto internal engine parts - time to do some Italian tune up by revving engine at highway speed to retard agglomeration.

The Diffusion Zone is generally very clean and light coloured/transparent indicating a very very low level of light weight/ low density combustion carboneceous contaminants which is a reflection of clean internal engine condition.

The zig-zag edge is emerging indicating a certain level of moisture and/or oil oxidation.

The translucent halo surrounding the zig-zag edge indicates presence of fuel dilution issue in this sample.

Overall I believe there is still life in this 8100km/8 month oil sample and should be go till say, 12000-14000 km usage.

Hi Gin87, apologies for the late response.

The Centre Zone of about 8mm diameter size is generally grayish, not transparent but a bit opaque indicating rather high level of heavy weight/high density metalic wear particles like iron/copper etc attributed to corrosion wear within this 10K km/ 31 months 'old' used oil sample as a result short drives pattern.

Darkened aureole zone/ perimeter ring (of about 10 mm diameter) seems to be absent -which in itself is good news for this 31 months 9596 km used oil. It suggests the impending 'agglomeration' of rather large quantities of contaminants and wear particles present is not as serious as one would imagine for a 31 month 10ish K km used oil.

Its exceptionally high VI of 193 (in a SP, A3B4 Pure Plus Technology) seems to suggest a rather high percentage/amount of Group 3 synthetic in the oil formulation.

I would speculate this may have helped a lot in resisting agglomeration of contaminants in the current used oil sample.

The Diffusion Zone is generally rather darkish and not transparent indicating a high level of light weight/ low density combustion carbonaceous contaminants which is a reflection of a not-so-clean internal engine condition like coloured/yellowish stuff like varnish on non-contacting surfaces within and inside the valve cover.

The zig-zag edge seems to suggest a certain level of water moisture and/or oil oxidation in this 31 month used oil, which is unsurprising.

The not-so-obvious translucent halo surrounding the zig-zag edge indicates presence of fuel dilution issue in this sample. I would have thought fuel dilution in this driving pattern of your parent should be very serious but, seems to be not that bad in this Shell Helix Protect.

Overall I would concur with you to get this oil replaced at 10K km and not extending further too far.

In terms of mechanical damage of engine internal parts, I would think there is nothing to overly worry about other than the not-so-clean non-contacting internal surfaces within the valve cover.

Would this engine last another 10/15 years ? I would think so.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jun 22 2024, 07:24 PM

🙏 Thank you so much bro Zeng. Yeah, the oil has been replaced at 10k km with the latest API SP Helix Protect (2 years ago it was API SN Plus). Would you suggest the same OCI to be repeated bro Zeng? (another 2+ years 10k km), or shorten it a bit? ie yearly 5k km (assuming that will be my parent's 'normal' mileage).

You're most welcome, bro.

Due to the absence of darkened aureole zone/perimeter ring of about 10 mm diameter (of physical blotter spot sample) in this current SN+ sample, I believe 10K km usage mileage is no sweat for the upcoming SP sample with VI 193 (vs Shell Helix Ultra 0W30 VI of 177).

You may consider having a blotter sample at 10-10.5K km checked in times to come not with a view of immediate replacement.

Note: For the purpose of progressive monitoring you could also take samples at 6K and/or 8K km intervals as it is FOC after all.

And depending on the 'performance' of that blotter sample and your appetite, imho you may tentatively schedule an oil change between 11K and 13K km usage.

In terms of time duration, 31 months was fine with the old SN+ oil formulation. This new SP could be giving you more time duration imo.

Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (MB229.5) + Helix HX5 15W40
Oil Life : 15,278 km
9 months oil life thus far since Sept 2023.
ODO :381,834 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L

Note:
Top up at 12,000 km about 0.8L of mineral Shell Helix 15W40 (Yellow packing, SN) -due to timing cover oil seal leaks.

Samples were taken hot within 10 minutes of engine shut down after a 20-25 minutes drive.

42 hours blotters:

a)With back light


b)With NO back light


The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) remains quite similar as previous 14K km sample above.

The aureole zone/perimeter annulus (of about 10 mm diameter size) is emergent and is cause for caution as it indicates commencement of agglomeration phenomenon of contaminants. The good news is it isn't darkened yet.

Comparing against previous 14,184 km blotter sample it is nice to note that the deterioration of current 15,278 km blotter Diffusion Zone and darkened zig-zag outer edge and translucent halo zone is mild and manageable and is no cause for alarm for now imo.

As usual, there is no indication of coolant contamination of used oil.

Overall there is no intention on my part for immediate replacement of this used oil and we will see how it goes for another thousand or two km.

Specifically, the undesirable further deterioration of darkened or blackened aureole zone is of concern and it is something to look out for in future blotter spot sample of this 'rojak' engine oil.