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

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TSzeng
post Jun 20 2024, 02:15 PM

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QUOTE(Gin87 @ Dec 28 2023, 03:35 PM)
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
*

https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads//attach-96...-1703748026.jpg
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
Gin87 P
post Jun 22 2024, 03:49 PM

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šŸ™ 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).

TSzeng
post Jun 22 2024, 08:13 PM

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QUOTE(Gin87 @ Jun 22 2024, 03:49 PM)
šŸ™ 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.

Attached Image
TSzeng
post Jul 5 2024, 10:47 AM

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QUOTE(zeng @ Jun 15 2024, 11:05 AM)
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.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
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
Attached Image

b)With NO back light
Attached Image

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.


speedy3210
post Jul 17 2024, 04:27 PM

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zeng Need your help to interpret this test below. 2nd image is backlit photo.. Thanks in advance.

Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30 API SP ILSAC GF6A
Made in Hong Kong

OC date : 13 May 2023 @ 101,511 km
Current date : 13 July 2024 @ 105,328 km

user posted image
user posted image

This post has been edited by speedy3210: Jul 18 2024, 09:23 AM
TSzeng
post Jul 25 2024, 10:33 AM

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QUOTE(speedy3210 @ Jul 17 2024, 04:27 PM)
zeng  Need your help to interpret this test below. 2nd image is backlit photo.. Thanks in advance.

Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30 API SP ILSAC GF6A
Made in Hong Kong

OC date :  13 May 2023  @  101,511 km
Current date  :  13 July 2024  @  105,328 km

user posted image
user posted image
*
Apololgies for the 1 week delay reply, and straight to the job.....

The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) is slightly grayish (without backlight) and remains transparent (with backlight) indicating a mild amount of heavy metalic contaminants in a 3800 km usage (but 14 months old) used oil - generally this metalic contaminants is more of corossion related (being 14 month old and non-contacting) and not so much of adhesive or abrasive wear related, which associates with contacting metal to metal surface..


The aureole zone/perimeter annulus (of about 10 mm diameter size) is ever so slightly emergent and is not a cause for caution.

It indicates agglomeration phenomenon of contaminants is about to commence but good for now.

External to aureole zone/perimeter annulus, the Diffusion Zone is very slightly grayed but remains transparent indicating a minor level of light weight contaminants related to combustion by products. It has capacity to 'absorb' additional quantities of contaminant imho.

External to the Diffusion Zone, a darkened zig-zag outer edge has not formed - indicating absence of water moisture and/or oil oxidation phenomenon within the 14 month old 3800 km used oil sample.

External to the 'outer-edge', a translucent halo zone is obviously formed indicating quite a degree of fuel dilution phenomenon in this 14 mo 3800 km usage.

Its supposed drop in operating viscosity related to fuel dilution would not be a thing to worry about really in this Euro oil as far as adhesive and abrasive wear is concerned, basing on my experience in 'reading' the various UOA's thus far.

Typically, there is no indication of radiator coolant contamination of used oil.

Overall, I would rate this 14 mo 3800 km usage used oil as still in serviceable condition and is fit for continuing service.
TSzeng
post Jul 31 2024, 10:01 PM

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QUOTE(zeng @ Jul 5 2024, 10:47 AM)
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
Attached Image

b)With NO back light
Attached Image

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.
*
Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (MB229.5) + Helix HX5 15W40
Oil Life : 16,286 km
10 months oil life thus far since Sept 2023.
ODO :382,742 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 2 HOUR drive.

72 hours blotters:

a)With back light
Attached Image

b)With NO back light
Attached Image

The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) of this 2 hour drive 16K km blotter is generally transparent and shows absence of heavy metallic wear particles vs previous 15K km sample above.

A greyed aureole zone/perimeter annulus (of about 10 mm diameter size) is kind of non-existent and stays clear, showing no signs of commencement of agglomeration phenomenon of contaminants. That is good news in this 2 hour drive blotter sample.

Comparing against previous 15,278 km blotter sample the current 16,286 km Diffusion Zone and darkened zig-zag outer edge are not deteriorating further.

The translucent halo zone has greatly improved in this 2 hour drive blotter - indicating less severe form of fuel dilution phenomenon.

The blotter shows no indication of radiator coolant contamination of used oil.

Overall this 2 hour drive blotter points to engine oil works best (and stay happy) in long long drive vs that of short tens of minutes drive.

I'm planning to go on further with this 16,286 km used oil, albeit being a 'rojak'.
COOLPINK
post Oct 14 2024, 11:23 PM

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QUOTE(zeng @ Jul 31 2024, 10:01 PM)
Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (MB229.5) + Helix HX5 15W40
Oil Life : 16,286 km
10 months oil life thus far since Sept 2023.
ODO :382,742 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 2 HOUR drive.

72 hours blotters:

a)With back light
Attached Image

b)With NO back light
Attached Image

The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) of this 2 hour drive 16K km blotter is generally transparent and shows absence of heavy metallic wear particles vs previous 15K km sample above.

A greyed aureole zone/perimeter annulus (of about 10 mm diameter size) is  kind of non-existent  and stays clear, showing no signs of commencement of agglomeration phenomenon of contaminants. That is good news in this 2 hour drive blotter sample.

Comparing against previous 15,278 km  blotter sample the current 16,286 km Diffusion Zone and darkened zig-zag outer edge are not deteriorating further. 

The translucent halo zone has greatly improved in this 2 hour drive blotter -  indicating less severe form of fuel dilution phenomenon.

The blotter shows no indication of radiator coolant contamination of used oil.

Overall this 2 hour drive blotter points to engine oil works best (and stay happy) in long long drive vs that of short tens of minutes drive.

I'm planning to go on further with this 16,286 km used oil, albeit being a 'rojak'.
*
Nice!
Keep us updated when you hit 20k km.
speedy3210
post Nov 5 2024, 03:32 PM

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zeng Appreciate your help in interpreting this blot. Backlit photo is the 2nd image. Thanks in advance.

BOLD ATAS Fully Synthetic 0W-30 API SP ILSAC GF5 CI-4 (Yes looks contradictory, but that's what the seller published)
Used on a Saga BLM 2009

Previous date : 04 May 2024 @ 91,375 km
Current date : 24 Oct 2024 @ 99,417 km

user posted image
user posted image
TSzeng
post May 4 2025, 02:21 PM

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QUOTE(speedy3210 @ Nov 5 2024, 03:32 PM)
zeng Appreciate your help in interpreting this blot. Backlit photo is the 2nd image. Thanks in advance.

BOLD ATAS Fully Synthetic 0W-30 API SP ILSAC GF5 CI-4Ā  (Yes looks contradictory, but that's what the seller published)
Used on a Saga BLM 2009

Previous date :Ā  04 May 2024Ā  @Ā  91,375 km
Current dateĀ  :Ā  24 Oct 2024Ā  @Ā  99,417 km

user posted image
user posted image
*
@speedy3210 Oops, late to the party.

Anyway.......

The Centre Zone of 8 mm diameter is generally light brown and not even slightly darkened indicating a medium level of heavy metallic contaminants within this 8100 km mileage Bold Atas 0W30 fully synthetic API SP oil.

The Aureole,/perimeter annulus of about 10 mm size of kind of non-observable indicating agglomeration of large/heavy size contamination particles has yet to occur - a good news indeed.

The Division Zone of about say, 20 mm diameter size is light coloured and transparent indicating a rather low level of small size and light weight.

The absence of however slightly darkened zigzag perimeter indicates a very very low degree or level of oil oxidation phenomenon or water moisture contamination.

The outermost halo annulus is present indicating presence of fuel dilution phenomenon- probably this 8100 km used Bold was subjected to high frequency of short drives of say, less than 5-8 km distance a typical drive.

Overall, I would think this used oil is good to go on further.

Up to 15000 km? Personally I won't hesitate as far as engine life or longevity is concerned.


Edit:
1) This Bold Atas fully synthetic SP 0W30 is a modern low sulphur engine oil.
It can't meet the diesel spec CI of high sulphur engine oil

2) Pardon me for the shorter and brief writings as desktop pc is down for now.

This post has been edited by zeng: May 4 2025, 02:25 PM
TSzeng
post May 4 2025, 02:30 PM

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QUOTE(COOLPINK @ Oct 14 2024, 11:23 PM)
Nice!
Keep us updated when you hit 20k km.
*
Did go on until around 20k km.

No surprises here for a rojak oil.

Will see if I can retrieve images for this blotter spots of around 20k km, no promise though.

................

With backlight:
user posted image

Without backlight:
user posted image

At 22k+ km 14 months rojak oil combo of Shell ultra 5W40 + mineral 15w40:

The Centre Zone of about 8 mm is a bit dark and greyish but quite transparent indicating quite substantial amount of heavy metallic contaminants within the sample.

The Aureole perimeter ring seems not darkened and absent indicating agglomeration of heavy metallic contaminants, if present is NOT alarming (to me).

The Diffusion zone is slightly greyish but not opaque indicating medium level or slightly higher amount of light weight combustion by products within the used oil.

Presence of darkened zig zag out edge is obvious indicating oil oxidation phenomenon and/or presence of water moisture.

There is presence of a translucent halo at the outermost edge of the blotter indicating presence of fuel dilution phenomenon here.

NOTE: The final 7-8 months of this engine oil usage has been subjected ONLY to short trips of 11 km one way.

In my opinion modern' engine of this 398k+ km2007 Avanza engine can go on up to 22k km OCI with a modern MB229.5 SN 5W40 engine oil AND Euro 5 (Note: currently is Euro 4M petrol here, Euro 5 petrol will be launched 2 months later) fuels without encountering engine seizure say, in the next 5 years or 100k km, just saying.

Edit: Images uploaded.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jul 1 2025, 05:17 PM
COOLPINK
post May 4 2025, 02:32 PM

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QUOTE(zeng @ May 4 2025, 02:30 PM)
Did go on until  around 20k km.

No surprises here for a rojak oil.

Will see if I can retrieve images for this blotter spots of around 20k km, no promise though.
*
All good bro!
TSzeng
post Jul 1 2025, 07:55 PM

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QUOTE(zeng @ May 4 2025, 02:30 PM)
Did go on untilĀ  around 20k km.

No surprises here for a rojak oil.

With backlight:
user posted image

Without backlight:
user posted image

*
Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (MB229.5)
Oil Life : 10,178 km dated 26 May 2025
6 months oil life thus far since Nov 2024.
ODO :398,912 km in
Car model: Toyota Avanza 1.3L

Note:
Top up at 10,000 km about 1 L of Helix Ultra 5W-40 -due to timing cover oil seal leaks.

Samples were taken hot within 10 minutes of engine shut down after a 1.5 HOUR drive.

48 hours blotters:

With backlight:
Attached Image

Without backlight:
Attached Image

The Centre Zone (of about 8 mm diameter) of this10K km blotter is generally transparent indicating absence of high density heavy metallic wear particles in this 399K km Avanza.

There is absence of a greyed/darkened aureole zone/perimeter annulus (of about 10 mm diameter size) and it is quite clear, indicating absence of commencement of agglomeration phenomenon of contaminants.

The Diffusion Zone of about 30 mm diameter is generally quite transparent and not opaque indicating quite a low level of light weight or low density contaminants like combustion by-products.

The zig-zag outer edge is slightly darkened showing there is presence of oil oxidation and/or water moisture phenomena within the used oil sample.

The presence of a translucent halo zone surrounding the outer zig-zag edge in this 1.5 hour drive blotter - indicating fuel dilution phenomenon probably due to short 25 minutes drive over 11 km one way in Klang valley.

As usual, the blotter shows no indication of radiator coolant contamination of this used oil.

I believe this 10K km is still serviceable and will go on further whilst planning for a repair job on timing cover leaks problem.

This post has been edited by zeng: Jul 1 2025, 07:58 PM
Gin87 P
post Sep 6 2025, 01:56 PM

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Attached Image

Shell Helix Protect 0W-30 API SP ACEA A3/B4
Oil mileage: 16,156 km
Oil age: 12 month
Odo: 104,194 km
Car model: 2019 Toyota Hilux Revo 2.4
Gin87 P
post Oct 6 2025, 11:29 AM

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QUOTE(Gin87 @ Sep 6 2025, 01:56 PM)
Attached Image

Shell Helix Protect 0W-30 API SP ACEA A3/B4
Oil mileage: 16,156 km
Oil age: 12 month
Odo: 104,194 km
Car model: 2019 Toyota Hilux Revo 2.4
*
Whatā€™s your opinion on this one bro Zeng?
From the look of it, I assume the oil is not really fit to go with extended 16k oci.
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