Hi Elite,

This Mobil Delvac MX 15W40 (can you confirm please?) blotter generally has 3 zones namely:
a)Quite a large area of (elongated) centre zone that is surrounded by a faint shape of grey-coloured perimeter ring:-
This centre zone is very mildly grey or dark coloured indicating quite a small/mild amount of contaminants like soots, combustion by-products, dirt etc
The engine combustion system seems good to me.

b)Relatively small area of intermediate 'diffusion' zone indicating additional capacity to absord more contaminants from the system if any;and

c)Relatively large area of outer-most (fuel dilution) zone indicating a large amount of low viscosity light density oil (gasoline fuel in this case) are being spread outwards, away from the centre zone. It also means a higher level of fuel dilution in this blotter spot test.

Is this fuel dilution severe ? Well, compared to other blotter spot samples here, it's more serious or extensive.
However looking at its contaminant levels in centre and intermediate zones, I would interpret the fuel dilution as not detrimental to the continuing service of this oil sample at 740 km 20 hour track time.
By the way, what's OEM recommendation on oil change interval in km or hour track time ?

The virgin KV100C of this Delvac MX 15W40 is 15.5 cSt, and it may have dropped by as much as up to 20% as a result of fuel dilution. However the blotter spot indicates acceptable level of contaminants (with capacity to absorb more contaminants) , hence personally I won't be replacing this used oil.

Heck, I have zero experience on motorcycle oil  thing btw.

I think I know why there's a perimeter ring on the first (3,222) blotter test. That's because I let the drip of oil dry up without moving it around the paper.

On the 2nd test, I basically turn the paper in a circular motion to spread the oil more evenly.

Hi Jamespaul,
During 1970/80's , local OEM SC's had been recommending oil filter life of 10,000 km (i.e 2 oil changes @ 5000 km) till todate with use of API SE/SF oils and obsolete manufacturing technology such as 'metal finishing' on contacting components like crankshafts, camshafts, piston rings and piston liners.

As I understand it some (not sure if it's all) Europe VW and MB recommends 30,000 km oil change with Long Life oils like VW 50400 50700, MB 229.5, MB 229.51 etc but not sure about filter change intervals unless some readers can confirm it.

There maybe a 'progressive' OEM SC in KL recommending 15,000 km filter change coinciding with oil change,I don't know and I would like to know if there is any local OEM SC recommending 2X10,000 km or 2X15,000 km filter change.

I'd personally extended filter change to  17,138 km as per my blotter spot tests here with 280k ODO and I strongly believe my blotter is 'clean' enough for extending further filter change interval.

Instead of theorising and speculating on this one may spend chunks of money on UOA and Particle Counts or a  cheapo blotter spot test for better 'feel' .

Edit:With my limited knowledge on how oil filter works in our cars, I don't buy the concept of extending oil change interval by replacing oil filter  mid way of OCI.
I wouldn't be surprised if 30,000 km filter change interval is recommended in Europe, IDK.

I wouldn't have noticed the 'stain' external to the Translucent fuel dilution Zone if you hadn't pointed it out here .

This phenomenon is 'new' and alien to me at the moment and I am unable to explain why, may be somebody here can come out with some explanation on the 'stain' in this used oil blotter spot .

As to the condition of this used Mobil 1 EP 5W30 oil sample at 7000 plus km , I would speculate it is still fit for continuing service as there is absence of  centre zone, indicating detergency/dispersancy capabilities of this used oil are still in top form nontheless.

[attachmentid=10302646]

At the same time, the intermediate diffusion zone is transparent, light yellowish colour though there is obvious grayish/darkish soot floating around.

You may want to compare your blotter spot against this 7000 km M1 ESP 5W30 C3 VW 50400/50700 blotter.

Edit: Btw, what type of paper are you using here as it appears quite good quality ?

I personally would not replace and drain this used Amsoil SS 5W30 oil at 15000 km or below , instead I would attempt to run till 20,000 km or thereabout as I had no qualms running up to 17,000 km with oils like semisyn Total 10W40, fully synthetic in Shell Ultra 5W40 and Mobil 1 0W40 .

This Amsoil is a very 'powerful' oil with OEM approvals from GM/Ford/Honda and being A5B5 with huge doses of Molybdenum and Boron as per a 2019 VOA attached below .

As your OCI 'comfort' level is probably not as high as mine , for a start you may consider 2000-3000 km extra over your 'record' OCI km and verify with Blotter Spot Test .

[attachmentid=10546195]

Edit :You may refer to Post #1 for VOAs' of other oils .

Replacing fully synthetic after 5 or 7K km oil life every 2 to 3 months in a Proton Campro should not have come across the emerging darkening aureole zone in a 5K 'ish km oil blotter as is in your case , IME .

I'm of the opinion that this DPS engine flush contributes mainly (if not wholly) for the emerging darkening aureole zone in this 5K'ish km blotter spot , with or without higher boost turbo , with hindsight .

Question now is , does this relatively 'dirty' 5K'ish used oil life being shortened ?

I would think so , according to media articles .

Does this used oil not fit for 10,000 km usage , and be condemned soon ?

I don't think so when one evaluates with high ringgit and quantitative Used Oil Analysis or an foc qualitative blotter spot test IMHO .

VHVI base oil is a grade or two lower than a Group 3+ aka (Shell) GTL base oil .

I would classify it as Group 3 or Group 2+ mineral base oil .

Btw , PAO is Group 4 and Ester is Group 5 .

Hence, this base oil combination of Aisin 5W30 PAO should be good for high temperature application .

However, it does not have a certain Euro OEM approvals though it claims to meet or exceed the specs IMO .

[attachmentid=10665001]

Its PDS claims 'Low SaPS' though , which is a good feature .

bro zeng

Hilux Revo 2.4G Auto 2019
Fuel: Diesel Euro 5
Odo: 30,606km
Oil: Helix Protect 0W-30 API SN Plus, ACEA A3/B4
Oil age: 4,810km

Driving condition: 50% tarmac 50% off-road, mostly continuous 6-8 hours journey
Off-road condition: Hilly, muddy, dusty, occasional water crossing (depends on weather)

The oil sample was taken hot right after 6 hours journey, 2 hours tarmac 4 hours off-road

[attachmentid=10862983]
[attachmentid=10862984]
[attachmentid=10862985]
[attachmentid=10862986]
[attachmentid=10862987]
[attachmentid=10862988]

This leads to the decision to follow manufacturer's recommendation on using ACEA B class engine oil, and at about 4810 km, the oil looks like this
[attachmentid=10863726]
not bad in my opinion, no full-stop sized soot particles, just fine-sized ones..

First time using ACEA B class oil btw

May I know what is the Euro spec of current 'normal' diesel fuel here other than the Euro 5 diesel on offer?
Euro 4 of 50 ppm sulphur ??

I used to hear horror stories of later model diesel truck engines having very pricy fuel injectors being damaged by Euro 2 (?) diesel fuels then.

Not sure if current diesel engines and its injectors are totally fine with current 'normal' Euro 3-4 diesel fuel.

Is it a waste of money for current later model trucks using Euro 5 diesel, which is supposed to be friendly providing good cleaning to fuel injectors ? Or it makes no difference, in practice ?

🤔 your statement kinda got me curious too bro zeng, maybe I should try to extend it's usage & see how it develops over time, blotter test every 1k km

I'm inclined to agree with your suggestion that the Helix Protect 0W30 A3B4 may not be doing its job in terms of detergency and dispersancy properties.

'Seeing particles' in the HDEO CI4 by Gin87 may mean the 'dirty' mechanical conditions of the 2019 Hilux Revo diesel engine, however I would like to assume this 2 year old Hilux engine is not 'dirty' per se but in very clean condition , what more its previous oil change intervals of 5000 km is too short and 'premature' imho.

Hence, I would speculate 'particles' as seen or felt by Gin87 inside the CI4 HDEO used oil sample is a strong indication of the excellent and top form detergency and dispersancy properties of HDEO CI4 vis-a-vis this Hilux Protect 0W30 A3B4.

Thank you for sharing a 10,000 km UOA of a HDEO in Chevron Delo Sports 10W30 in a Ford Ranger 2.2L diesel.
This UOA performance is fantastic but, its top up volume of 7.6L may have distorted the complete picture, no?

Btw, I wish you don't mind me sharing this Delo 10W30 CI4 UOA in Post #1 of this thread?

Bro Zeng...... this is SHU 5w-40 API SN from Giant.

Done 12.6k kms. Used on Elantra 2.0 NA (G4GC). Pic shows 48hrs blot, sample taken hot.

Last service 05 Jan 2021, drained out 16 Oct 2021. Took 10mth to reach  12.6k km due to MCO. Piled up around 6-7k km during the 1st 3mth coz still can travel. MCO came in Mar 2021 and all were down to short distance drives to buy groceries. Then travel resumed from end-Aug till drain out date.

Appreciate your analysis.

Parallel imports of HX8 and SHU currently at RM99 Giant USJ1.
Both oils carry MB 229.5 approvals.
[attachmentid=11071122][attachmentid=11071123][attachmentid=11071124][attachmentid=11071125][attachmentid=11071126][attachmentid=11071127]

It's weird on how Shell UK can get their labelling wrong? SL ... SN...

Shell spent millions in marketing and they can't get their printing materials right? 

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
[attachmentid=11490952]

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
[attachmentid=11490952]

It's mainly characterized by the dark and thick coloured annulus