had my oil analysed

[brad]

As a matter of interest, you say you used a syringe to obtain the sample, so did you get the sample from through the dipstick tube or did you get it from some other area?

Yes, got the sample through the dipstick tube using the flexible tube supplied in the kit. If it was a decent sized engine with a big mofo oil capacity, you might take a sample from several areas but in this case, i couldn't see the point. As long as the oil was hot & it was within a few minutes of shutdown (so that particles stay in suspension), it should have been a representative sample.

I used a brass version of this thing - the tube (not shown) runs through to the sample container & therefore there is reduced risk of contamination but a syringe from the chemist would be fine too - maybe suck up 100ml & dump it & then take a 2nd 100ml for the test sample.

[Lance B]

Thank you for your very detailed response, Brad. Much appreciated!

[onyertod]

Great work Brad. Many thanks for sharing.

[Transporter]

An FYI for those that were wondering if 15,000km intervals were a bit long.......

Background:
I'm an ex-mechanic & in the past tended to over-service my vehicles because it cost me nothing but time (my boss was always happy to supply consumables as a bonus).
These days I run maintenance programmes on major plant & tend to try maximise service periods for operational efficiency.
So i was happy to run 15,000km oil change periods but was having doubts due to a number of reasoned arguments saying that 15,000km was fine as long as i didn't intend to keep the car long-term (except I do intend to keep it).

History:
car is now 60,000km old. The oil level on the stick drops maybe 2mm in 15k. I drive lots of motorway kilometres & only get-up-it occasionally.
15k service = Castrol Edge 5w-30 (VW502)
30k service = Valvoline SynPower XL-III 5w-30 (VW 504/507)
45k Service = Valvoline SynPower XL-III 5w-30 (VW 504/507)

At 60,000km (ie the oil was 15,000km old), after a short 15km suburban run, I took an oil sample & sent it for analysis. The results came back this morning & I'm amazed at how good the oil still is. The lab gave it a big smiley symbol
Metal contaminants (iron, chrome, lead, copper, tin, nickel, aluminium) are negligable.
Additive pack seems to be still going strong.
Negligable water, soot, fuel dilution.
Viscosity @ 100c is 11.19 (new is 11.5)

Conclusion: YMMV, but for my usage & driving style, I'm more than happy to continue with 15,000km oil change periods using 504/507 oils.

I remember reading on tdi.com that people were doing UOA regularly, right up to 80,000km engine and oil samples came OK and then suddenly engine had massive wear in the valve train components and some even worst than that (these were TDI engines and they were not using VW approved oils).

Unfortunately UOA don't monitor other important things like deposits inside the engine, sludge, varnish and particles and contaminants trapped in the oil filter. Also VW tests the oils for approval bit differently than the oil companies usually do, so sticking to VW approved oil is vital, IMO.

But as you said, for your driving condition it could be sufficient to change the oil every 15,000km.
Good work, thanks for posting your UOA. I will make shortcut to this thread in the Lubricant section of the forum.

[woofy]

Have you been told when your chain is due for replacing? Since the belts are done anyway instead of just inspecting I'd be curious as to what gets done at 60k

[brad]

Have you been told when your chain is due for replacing? Since the belts are done anyway instead of just inspecting I'd be curious as to what gets done at 60k

no replacement schedule on the chain - i guess when it becomes a noisy mofo. One of the reasons I swayed to the 1.8TSI was the chain. Based on previous chain driven engines I've had (Nissan, Suzuki, Lancia & a couple of others), it should be good for 150,000-250,000km.

edit: my 60k service was oil+ filter, fuel filter, pollen filter (because my dog ate the old one), various checks. Not a great deal involved.

[brad]

I remember reading on tdi.com that people were doing UOA regularly. Right up to 80,000km engine and oil samples came OK and then suddenly engine had massive wear in the valve train components and some even worst than that (these were TDI engines and they were not using VW approved oils).

They were silly sausages weren't they!

Unfortunately UOA don't monitor other important things like deposits inside the engine, sludge, varnish and particlesand contaminants trapped in the oil filter. Also VW test the oils for approval bit differently than the oil companies usually do, so sticking to VW approved oil is vital, IMO.

At no point was i suggesting not using VW approved oils. That was the point of my thread.

Of interest was that my (independant) mech used an engine flush at the 60,000km. The dealer never did that. When i get a chance, i'll ask him what his reasoning is for it.

[woofy]

Mazda tend to do engine flushes at Major services, for some reason the 60k service for an RS is a bit more than the normal major.

[Ozsko]

MAN trucks used to change oil (Euro 4) at 70K and it analysed perfectly, it could have run a lot longer in fact. The only reason they were serviced at 70K was to get the truck in to see what had fallen off it. Modern oils are so good that the most pressing reason to change them is to see if everything is still attached to the car and if it is driven short distances fuel dilution. Mind you at the cost of the stuff it ought to be good.

[tlli]

Hi All,

I've got a 2010 Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI, purchased in June this year. At around 4000km my wife saw the indicator light for 'low engine oil' come up.
Luckily she was 5mins away from the dealership, and they were still open. They were happy to put more oil in as it was low.

Now our car is just over 10,000kms and tonight the 'low engine oil level' indicator came on again!!
So before I get the car thoroughly checked out, has anyone else experienced this with their Skoda?

I will be making a complaint to the dealership tomorrow, and hope they will look at the car without cost.

Also I will need to add oil tomorrow, so can anyone please decipher what grade of engine oil to use - the book says VW 504 00?

Thank you.