Blackwing: Oil Report

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
(5859) Universal
averages

aluminum 7 5

chromium 0 0

iron 27 16

copper 33 3

lead 1 3
tin 1 1

molybdenum 72 102

nickel 0 0

manganese 2 3

silver 0 0

titanium 0 1

potassium 3 1

boron 216 127

silicon 59 11

sodium 8 4

calcium 1398 1390

magnesium 88 431

phosphorus 756 816

zinc 840 926

barium 0 0

Tested
properties @ 500
miles
(500)

SUS viscosity @ 210°F 63.0 63-76

cSt viscosity @ 100°C 11.06 11.1-14.8

flash point in ° F 420° >385°

fuel % <0.5 <2.0

antifreeze % 0.0 0.0

water % 0.0 0.0

insolubles % 0.2 <0.6

Elements ppm	@ 500 miles (5859)	Universal averages
aluminum	7	5
chromium	0	0
iron	27	16
copper	33	3
lead	1	3
tin	1	1
molybdenum	72	102
nickel	0	0
manganese	2	3
silver	0	0
titanium	0	1
potassium	3	1
boron	216	127
silicon	59	11
sodium	8	4
calcium	1398	1390
magnesium	88	431
phosphorus	756	816
zinc	840	926
barium	0	0

Tested properties	@ 500 miles (500)
SUS viscosity @ 210°F	63.0	63-76
cSt viscosity @ 100°C	11.06	11.1-14.8
flash point in ° F	420°	>385°
fuel %	<0.5	<2.0
antifreeze %	0.0	0.0
water %	0.0	0.0
insolubles %	0.2	<0.6