Blackwing: Oil Report

I do my own oil changes and have my engine oil analyzed at Blackstone Laboratories. The last time I submitted a sample the cost of the analysis was $40 and the test kit includes a pre-paid mailer. You used to be able to mail them in any blue collection box but as of October, 2019 items that measure more than 1/2 inch in thickness may not be deposited into collection boxes. (Most collection boxes have been modified to enforce this new policy!)

This means you have to take your sample in to the post office. Which can turn into a huge hassle. One time I tried to mail from a satellite post office and was told flat out that motor oil is flammable and could not be accepted under any circumstances. I went to the main post office. It took three employees 15 minutes in a backroom consultation before it was agreed my sample could be mailed. Quoting from the Blackstone Laboratories website) the key is that, "A liquid with a flashpoint above 200° F (93° C) is not regulated as a hazardous material and may be mailed subject to the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7, provided it possesses no characteristics of another hazard class." The lowest flashpoint of any sample I have sent in was 395°.

These days when I take a sample to the post office I bring a printed copy of the letter that can be found on the Postal Requirements page.

All of the samples I've taken have been of Mobil 1 0W-40 "supercar" synthetic oil. Here's the most recent report:

Here are most recent report results:

Elements ppm	@ 500 miles (500)	@ 1500 miles (1000)	Universal averages
aluminum	7	7	5
chromium	0	0	0
iron	27	12	15
copper	33	9	3
lead	1	0	2
tin	1	1	1
molybdenum	72	78	103
nickel	0	0	0
manganese	2	1	3
silver	0	0	0
titanium	0	0	1
potassium	3	0	1
boron	216	253	129
silicon	59	25	11
sodium	8	5	4
calcium	1398	1592	1386
magnesium	88	20	426
phosphorus	756	811	812
zinc	840	891	923
barium	0	0	0

Tested properties	@ 500 miles (500)	@ 1500 miles (1000)
SUS viscosity @ 210°F	63.0	62.6
cSt viscosity @ 100°C	11.06	10.96
flash point in ° F	420°	410°	>385°
fuel %	<0.5	<0.5	<2.0
antifreeze %	0.0	0.0	0.0
water %	0.0	0.0	0.0
insolubles %	0.2	TR	<0.6

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Craig Leres