Blackstone Labs report 5.0 and outdrive at 500 hours

[tcason]

Below is summary of Blackstone Labs reports for engine oil and outdrive oil.
500 total hours on boat engine and outdrive
85 hours on engine (Mercruiser synthetic oil) and outdrive oil since last change one year ago.

Based upon this report I guess I will probably send in next sample in two years after reaching 650 hours.

Comments/Suggestions?

Engine
Copper was the only unusual finding in this sample. This metal tends to show excess wear at bronze parts, but at only 13 ppm, we doubt this is a sign of a problem. We'll keep an eye on it next time though. All other metals read around universal averages, which are based on an oil run of about 40 hours.
The oil was in good shape physically, containing no moisture, fuel, or signs of coolant. The air and oil filters are working well too (see silicon and insolubles). Try going to 95-105 hours next time. We'll see how copper looks then.



Outdrive
Iron, copper, and lead all read at cautionary levels in the first sample from this outdrive. Iron can come from steel parts, while copper and lead may show wear at bronze parts. We also noted moisture at a trace, which could be a contributing factor to the higher wear.
If this oil has been in use for more that 85 hours, then some of the metals could be from accumulation. Insolubles read high at 2.0% and are likely from the excess wear. We suggest resampling in just 40-50 hours for another look. Universal averages are based on 90 hours.
Caution high metals!

 

[magster65]

Probably not an issue... lessen the interval between oil changes for the next couple years and see how it looks then.

 

[Captain Crispy]

I strongly recommend that you change the oil in the engine and the drive twice per year or every 50 hours, whichever comes first.

 

[Gunn]

I've used Blackstone labs for an oil analysis on a newly built engine after the breakin period not too long ago. They give a very informative report. And like it mentions, follow-ons will be even more useful to start seeing trends. Great stuff.

Tom

 

[paulswagelock]

Could you post the actual reports?
Which engine oil, 25w40 blend or 20w40 full synthetic?

 

[my3sons]

I also don't think it's an issue, but I would send in a sample next year. The small cost is worth knowing everything is staying on track, or, if the drive shows more metals than this time, you know something is going south. If you trailer your boat, you could pull a sample on the drive mid season. (don't take it from the drive reservoir, I wouldn't trust it to be a good representitive sample).
Save those reports, it's a plus to have them to show the next buyer. Along with all of the maint. records, it helps to confirm that you were a conscientious owner, (which you obviously are).
Good luck

Paulswagelock, If you were just wondering what a report looks like, here's a copy of one. You can check out their website for more info. There are many places you can have analysis done, I have been using Blackstone with no issues.

 

[paulswagelock]

I have spent considerable time researching oil and have done many UOAs. that is why I was interested since I have not seen a UOA for Mercruiser branded synthetic oil. I was really curious. I do appreciate your 25w40 as well - this was straight mineral oil, not the syn blend, correct?

 

[my3sons]

this was straight mineral oil, not the syn blend, correct?

Yes, straight 25-40 merc dino oil. All the local outlets are starting to carry only the synthetic Merc now so I will probably be switching soon.
Did you note that the universal ave in Tcason's post was only 40 hours..not much run time for a syn oil,..or any oil

 

[paulswagelock]

The synthetic is made for boats equipped with catalytic converters. My concern is those hign Zn and P numbers will drop from 1900 and 1500 to 800 and 800. They either will substiture Moly or something else in there and plan on it protecting the surfaces, or sell a really weak oil that does not protect the engine very well. That is why I wanted to see the UOA for the syn oil.