Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis

[AXE]

Think they will actually do an oil analysis to figure out what oil you were actually using? I highly doubt it

Duh......the front camera watches what kind of oil you put in!

 

[AXE]

Got my latest oil analysis done on the 1500 ZR2. Pulled this sample just before I went in for the recall and 0W40 bandaid oil change. It was a short change, but the trend speaks for itself. As far as I can tell, this motor is perfect. Not sure why I'd fuck it up and run 0W40, but it's sloshing around now cause GM doesn't know what the fuck they put in these motors. Anyway, should be good for 200k miles with the range DFM module.

 

[MNNJR69]

Got my latest oil analysis done on the 1500 ZR2. Pulled this sample just before I went in for the recall and 0W40 bandaid oil change. It was a short change, but the trend speaks for itself. As far as I can tell, this motor is perfect. Not sure why I'd fuck it up and run 0W40, but it's sloshing around now cause GM doesn't know what the fuck they put in these motors. Anyway, should be good for 200k miles with the range DFM module.

Good news brother! We are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe this weekend to camp and hit some trails....I plan on doing my next oil change on Thursday and will send mine in for analysis also. I'll post the results when I get it back. After having the Range module for over 6 months now, I am feeling pretty confident about my engine also. They said there was 900,000 plus engines that were bad but that was a worldwide number not just the United States. I think the number for the United States was around 150,000 suspected bad engines, so the numbers are in our favor

 

[AXE]

Pulled another sample on the Tahoe at 1000 miles after the previous sample showed high iron particles. I had switched to Mobil 1 0W40 FS, but haven't completed the recall yet. This oil sample shows really good numbers and no further indication of iron particles like the previous. No real explanation for the previous test, but I'll trust what I see to be good.

I guess I'll now proceed with the recall and have them save the filter so can cut it open for inspection.

Interesting to note the oil additive package definitely looks better during early use compared to a 5k change where it's mostly used up!

 

[rwBrooks]

Good news brother! We are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe this weekend to camp and hit some trails....I plan on doing my next oil change on Thursday and will send mine in for analysis also. I'll post the results when I get it back. After having the Range module for over 6 months now, I am feeling pretty confident about my engine also. They said there was 900,000 plus engines that were bad but that was a worldwide number not just the United States. I think the number for the United States was around 150,000 suspected bad engines, so the numbers are in our favor

I think they meant There were 900,000 engines produced. A certain percentage of them were/are bad.

 

[MNNJR69]

I think they meant There were 900,000 engines produced. A certain percentage of them were/are bad.

It was 980000 suspected bad engines world wide

 

[Byrds8]

If memory serves, of the 980k world wide, I think 700k were here wasn’t it?

 

[AXE]

Car and Driver says 721k total and 598k in USA.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64611938/chevy-silverado-tahoe-cadillac-escalade-defective-v8-recall/

 

[MNNJR69]

That was the initial numbers I read months ago as all the nonsense started... I'm pretty sure the article said those were the estimated numbers at the time. When the filing with NHTSA first came out..... I think it was an article on GM authority where I read it.....
@AXE Just posted a link to the most relevant information after all said and done

 

[MNNJR69]

Just under $200 after all is said and done for this oil change... It would be about $40 cheaper if I didn't use the Lucas, But for me it's worth it!

 

[TX_ZR2]

Finally took the time to take mine in today and get the recall done. Engine passed and I got my nice new oil fill cap. I'm about 64k now, with the past three changes having Blackstone reports done showing the engine is good. There was about 30% life from my last change left on it with the 0w20. Will probably see about another Blackstone report during the next change with the first cycle of 0w40 in it.

 

[securityguy]

Finally took the time to take mine in today and get the recall done. Engine passed and I got my nice new oil fill cap. I'm about 64k now, with the past three changes having Blackstone reports done showing the engine is good. There was about 30% life from my last change left on it with the 0w20. Will probably see about another Blackstone report during the next change with the first cycle of 0w40 in it.

The engine can show it's good until it isn't. The Blackstone analysis can give you its current operating status at the time the sample was taken which can go to the crapper in 5 minutes. No one should be excited about a good oil analysis IMPO.

 

[AXE]

The engine can show it's good until it isn't. The Blackstone analysis can give you its current operating status at the time the sample was taken which can go to the crapper in 5 minutes. No one should be excited about a good oil analysis IMPO.

Not entirely true, he's stated that he's done several and they've indicated a normal progression through break in and wear in. That can give you some certainty that your bearings and crank are wearing normally and no presence of abnormal metals.

If you listen to some of the experts discuss the failures and what lead to the out of spec cranks, it is plausible that not all will fail. In fact, many of them may not fail and as the months pass, I believe this will bear out.

The real problem we have is that GM QC and manufacturing/record keeping is so poor, they have no way to know which motors have bad cranks.

An oil analysis is a very beneficial tool to understand the health of your motor, always has been. So with the 0W40 viscosity change, pico test, and ecu flash to monitor the balance of the crank and throw the P0016 code, you have a better chance of identifying the problem, before it is catastrophic.

You're still reaching into the GM grab bag, but doing it with more data.

 

[securityguy]

Not entirely true, he's stated that he's done several and they've indicated a normal progression through break in and wear in. That can give you some certainty that your bearings and crank are wearing normally and no presence of abnormal metals.

If you listen to some of the experts discuss the failures and what lead to the out of spec cranks, it is plausible that not all will fail. In fact, many of them may not fail and as the months pass, I believe this will bear out.

The real problem we have us that GM QC and manufacturing/record keeping is so poor, they have no way to know which motors have bad cranks.

An oil analysis is a very beneficial tool to understand the health of your motor, always has been. So with the 0W40 viscosity change, pico test, and ecu flash to monitor the balance of the crank and throw the P0016 code, you have a better chance of identifying the problem, before it is catastrophic.

You're still reaching into the GM grab bag, but doing it with more data.

I hear ya and agree. But, if an OA shows something of concern, what's gonna happen is gonna happen and you can't prevent it. If you want to prevent it, it will be on your dime as GM won't do anything anyway until it fails.

 

[TX_ZR2]

I hear ya and agree. But, if an OA shows something of concern, what's gonna happen is gonna happen and you can't prevent it. If you want to prevent it, it will be on your dime as GM won't do anything anyway until it fails.

Agree, a bad analysis won't prevent it, but at least inform me of a trend in the bad direction. I'd rather be aware of a pending issue that makes me a bit more comfortable vs thinking all is wonderful and blow the engine during a cross country trip. At least I know the likelihood is lower based on the tests. Is it 100% no, but I do all my own maintenance/checks and consider the OA another useful data point.

 

[AXE]

I hear ya and agree. But, if an OA shows something of concern, what's gonna happen is gonna happen and you can't prevent it. If you want to prevent it, it will be on your dime as GM won't do anything anyway until it fails.

You then have the opportunity to take corrective action and reduce the safety concerns associated with this catastrophic failure........that's the whole purpose of the recall and pico test too. While its imperfect, we have already seen several examples of pre-emptive motor replacements.

You could.also decide to sell or trade the vehicle and move on.

Data gives you options!

 

[AXE]

Agree, a bad analysis won't prevent it, but at least inform me of a trend in the bad direction. I'd rather be aware of a pending issue that makes me a bit more comfortable vs thinking all is wonderful and blow the engine during a cross country trip. At least I know the likelihood is lower based on the tests. Is it 100% no, but I do all my own maintenance/checks and consider the OA another useful data point.

With the mileage and tests you've done. I'd be willing to bet your motor will run just fine.

Did you also add the range DFM module?

 

[TX_ZR2]

With the mileage and tests you've done. I'd be willing to bet your motor will run just fine.

Did you also add the range DFM module?

No, wrestled over it but decided not to. The way I drive it probably uses all 8 all the time.

 

[DNZR2]

No, wrestled over it but decided not to. The way I drive it probably uses all 8 all the time.

Yes, we have another member of the single digit mpg club.

 

[TexOffroader]

No, wrestled over it but decided not to. The way I drive it probably uses all 8 all the time.

I guarantee no matter how you drive you are not always using 8. My rig ran noticeably smoother after installing. Engine and transmission were happier. The cost is negligible and DFM does nothing good. And icing on the cake is that your avg MPG will not decrease. I know, mind blowing.