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What does this indicate? A 20 percent degradation ?
Car had initial oil change at 500 miles, then a second change shortly thereafter to meet track prep guidelines. 8-10 track day equivalents on car and exceeded 300...even 320...on several occasions.
Thanks in advance for your expertise. I'll call Blackstone in the AM.
By the way, we are following manufacturer guidelines for track prep to the letter. Aside from the question of viscosity change, the report seems positive. The viscosity detail slipped by because they did not list the "expected" number from the manufacturer.
What you want to pay attention to is the TBN number. Yours is good so plenty of life left in the oil. If there's something unusual or out of spec they will highlight it and give an explanation.
What does this indicate? A 20 percent degradation ?
Car had initial oil change at 500 miles, then a second change shortly thereafter to meet track prep guidelines. 8-10 track day equivalents on car and exceeded 300...even 320...on several occasions.
Thanks in advance for your expertise. I'll call Blackstone in the AM.
By the way, we are following manufacturer guidelines for track prep to the letter. Aside from the question of viscosity change, the report seems positive. The viscosity detail slipped by because they did not list the "expected" number from the manufacturer.
And you'll see the range for a 50 weight oil is 16.3-21.9 cSt @ 100°C...you're definitely out of range as stated above.
The SAE J300 chart was just updated early this year, the sharp eyed amongst us will notice there are three new viscosities on the chart... an 8, 12, and 16 weight. This is in preparation for new oil coming out that'll be used in new cars. If 0W20 oil seems to thin, don't be surprised to see 0W8 oil soon...it's coming. The new EPA MPG standards set to start kicking in soon has manufacturers squeezing every last tenth of a MPG out of cars they can.
Might try a true synthetic such as the Amsoil Signature Series or the Redline oil. I use the Amsoil in all of my engines. Used to run the analysis in my oil burners but in the Vette and my AMG's just change it every 5k. Do some research on the NOACK Volatility number it will give you a little insight.
And you'll see the range for a 50 weight oil is 16.3-21.9 cSt @ 100°C...you're definitely out of range as stated above.
The SAE J300 chart was just updated early this year, the sharp eyed amongst us will notice there are three new viscosities on the chart... an 8, 12, and 16 weight. This is in preparation for new oil coming out that'll be used in new cars. If 0W20 oil seems to thin, don't be surprised to see 0W8 oil soon...it's coming. The new EPA MPG standards set to start kicking in soon has manufacturers squeezing every last tenth of a MPG out of cars they can.
Is this an indication that the oil was beyond its service life? The manufacturer has an interval it recommends for changing oil to preserve warranty. They also give instructions for track set up. They don't mention, "Change your oil if it ever hits the temps that you will see on the track."
Hopefully others who have experienced near or greater than 300 degree temps will get analysis done and share.
The car has a warranty, of course, but it would be interesting to know if as a practical matter there is an issue here long term. Just curious.
I use M1 0W-40 in my C6 Z06 due to oil temps at track events (up to 285*). With that oil the Viscosity spec at 100*C is 13.5 On my three Blackstone Labs reports for the 0W-40 it only dropped to 12.37-13.06 so your cSt drop is quite large.
As mentioned your TBN is still good indicating the additive package is doing it's job
Car had initial oil change at 500 miles, then a second change shortly thereafter to meet track prep guidelines. 8-10 track day equivalents on car
When you run the car as hard as it gets run on a track, the oil <additive package> sacrifices itself in order to save the engine (minimize wear.)
I, personally, change my oil before going to the track if it has more than 1000 miles on it, and I always change the oil after a track event running at most 2 days and eight (8) 30 minute sessions.
When you run the car as hard as it gets run on a track, the oil <additive package> sacrifices itself in order to save the engine (minimize wear.)
I, personally, change my oil before going to the track if it has more than 1000 miles on it, and I always change the oil after a track event running at most 2 days and eight (8) 30 minute sessions.
8-10 track days is 4X too many.....
I called Blackstone today and they walked through the report in detail. According to them, there is nothing to indicate that the oil should have been changed any sooner than the recommendation from the factory.
Even with all of the track time and heat.
Some will argue that oil and brake fluid should be changed after every track day...or that rotors and pads must always be changed together...or that a patched tire should never, ever be run on a track.
You can't argue with being as careful as possible, of course..., without regard to time and money.
Thanks Dave, that's interesting info. I had been changing mine after every four track days but based on this I might go a little longer.
I've gone 6K+ miles with two track days (4-7K rpm), a Silver State run (90 miles at 4800 rpm in 5th) and then easy highway driving. The Oil change computer indicated still 30% oil life left. The Blackstone test still had 6.5 for Tbn and all other readings were good too. (M1 0W-40). I'm coming up on my 24 track hour dif fluid change and I'll do the Tranny again at that time.
Do you grease the rear toe link grease fittings (one on each side) after each track day/event? That is in the OM, too.
No, I must have missed that in the OM. My rear suspension has been making some noise lately so I'll check that out. Thanks.
It is not uncommon for 2006-08 sway bar end links to wear out and make noises, so that is a possibility. Also, the sway bar mounting bolts have also been known to come lose/fallout.
It is not uncommon for 2006-08 sway bar end links to wear out and make noises, so that is a possibility. Also, the sway bar mounting bolts have also been known to come lose/fallout.
Thanks Dave. I sure hope the end links aren't worn out in 12 track days and 400 miles. I'll double check the sway bar mounting bolts but I just had those off to experiment with Z07 bushings and the noise was there both before and after. I have to get under the car to put the FE6 bushings back in anyway so I'll grease the toe links.
I don't see any grease fittings on the rear toe links nor do I see anything in my OM about it.
From my 09Z OM, page 6-13 re lubricants:
Usage Fluid/Lubricant Chassis
Lubrication
(Rear Toe-Link
Outer Ends with
ZO6, ZR1, or
Z51 Option)
Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
These are behind the rear axle line and the grease fittings are on the outer end of the rear toe links out near the rotor so these are inside the barrel of the rear wheels, normal grease fittings.
I'll look some more to find the each day of track useage reference I made. I've greased them often.
If yours doesn't have them then maybe the earlier 06-08's? didn't have them and it could have been an addition when the ZR1 came out although they reference the Z51 suspension is covered, too.
Dave
Added: from pg 4-14:
If the vehicle is a ZO6 or ZR1 model or has the Z51
performance package, it has greaseable outer ends on
both of the rear toe-links. Under normal use, lubrication
should be performed as described in the maintenance
schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12. If using the vehicle for racing, lubrication should be
performed at the end of each racing day
Last edited by AzDave47; 07-26-2015 at 04:58 PM.
Reason: ref to racing re grease fittings
Usage Fluid/Lubricant Chassis
Lubrication
(Rear Toe-Link
Outer Ends with
ZO6, ZR1, or
Z51 Option)
Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
These are behind the rear axle line and the grease fittings are on the outer end of the rear toe links out near the rotor so these are inside the barrel of the rear wheels, normal grease fittings.
I'll look some more to find the each day of track useage reference I made. I've greased them often.
If yours doesn't have them then maybe the earlier 06-08's? didn't have them and it could have been an addition when the ZR1 came out although they reference the Z51 suspension is covered, too.
Dave
Added: from pg 4-14:
If the vehicle is a ZO6 or ZR1 model or has the Z51
performance package, it has greaseable outer ends on
both of the rear toe-links. Under normal use, lubrication
should be performed as described in the maintenance
schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12. If using the vehicle for racing, lubrication should be
performed at the end of each racing day
Just to be clear are both of you guys talking about the C7 Z06?
07-23-2015, 08:16 PM
Oil report question
