10K mile oil changes

[75K30]

Alright, so I am sitting in my office at the shop today, and recieved my oil analysis reports back for my vehicles. Everything came back pretty normal, except for one. I have an old shop truck (Ford with a 352, yes a 352, not a 351), and this one showed that I had a high percentage of fuel in the oil which means that i have poor sealing rings. Well anyway, since it has just over 450k miles, I can undertsand. Might have to re-ring the old girl when she gets to half of a million.
At any rate, my buddy asked me about oil analysis, and why I did it. My response was simply to monitor each engine, and determine potential problems before they become big issues. I hate sitting in the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.
Anyway, I also shared with him, that I only change my oil every 10 to 12 thousand miles. The look on your faces right now is exactly the same look that he gave me. Thats why I wanted to open this discussion.
How many folks take the time to send oil samples out to the lab for analysis, and how often are folks changing thier oils?
Are most still doing it at 3K mile intervals?

I can appreciate it both ways, just wanted to open a similar discussion that my buddy and I were having.

[mrjohnwayne]

I have a kit from blackstone but have yet to send them a sample. In my gassers i used to change it at 3K. my first powerstroke I changed it at 7500. My PSD now I change between 5 and 6 because I have not sent a sample in yet. Once I do and see what's going on inside i will probably switch back to 7500 or 10k. If it werent for the "severe" service I would change it out at 10K but for the dusty roads and heavy loads its 5k for now.

Also do you use synthetic or Dino oil?

[ryiguy]

I'm doing it about every 3k with normal old oil, engine just rolled over 270k so i try to stay on top of it

[75K30]

mrjohnwayne:
Just to add a little, I can appreciate the severe duty applications, and the dirt roads. Little known fact that dirt is a common contaminant for oils inside of the engine.
I do change filters every few thousand, and top off the oil with fresh juice.
I also cut and inspect the filter for any obvious problems.
Good to hear that you have at least considered oil analysis.
Good place to go for analysis is your local (small) airport. Get in good with the local wrench there and get some feedback on where they send thier oils out for analysis. Usually can get a good deal there. My locall guy sends my samples off with his samples from his shop, and it does not cost me anything. Well the obligitory case of cold adult beverages, but thats a given.

[mrjohnwayne]

I'll have to look into that. there are about 18000 small strips around here... If not blackstone sends you the kit for free and it's only 20 bucks. I figure that aint too bad.

[72'CaminoKid]

my dad is the wrench at the small local airport. i cant believe i've never thought about having my oil analised. we send out plane oil all the time, just never occured to me. i still change mine every 3k along with the filter. also, i've always used fram but has recently come to my attention that is about the worst one out there. what filter should i change to.

[75K30]

I use Baldwin filters.
Have used Wix as well, with mixed results.
Believe it or not, I have been pleased with AC/Delco products.
Probably the best would be a by-pass filter. Lots of reasons why.
Keep in mind that this is a big balancing act, too much filtration and the filter is easily clogged, to little and it allows suspended solids to pass.
20 microns is about 1 thousandths of an inch, and too much filtration, below say 5 microns can start to filter out some of the detergent packages. Seems 8 to 10 microns is a happy medium.
The key to success here is to keep the filter clean.

[mudseeker]

i use valvoline semi synthetic high mileage with the fram high mileage filter. i change the oil every 5k. never was a believer in the 3k changes. i would go longer but the bottom end has some good leaks.

[436'd skylark]

I didn't change the oil in my truck for probably 2 years. I'm going to swap in the buick motor, well at least thats the running plan. I figured it was a waste and I save the new oil for the new motor. anyway I change my oil twice a year, and I drive about 15k. I don't buy into the 3000 3 month hysteria that is sweeping the nation. After spending a few years at the machine shop, tearing down all sorts of motors I'd rather go 15k on good oil, then 1k on the **** at Mr. Oil Change. I'm willing to admit that oil needs to be changed, however all those engine parts in the commercials have more of a blow by problem IMO.

[01Cummins]

i aint no brainiac on these kind of things but im gonna ask a question on this topic, when you put fresh oil in your engine everybody knows its a clear brownish color, after 3000 miles you drain that oil and its pretty well blackened out, is this just from the oil heating up and cooling down constantly or is it dirty or what?? maybe this qualifies as a good question.