5.3L Oil Analysis - First Change

gone_fishing · January 25, 2016

I think I remember seeing this on bob is the oil guy forums and was one of the main reasons I went with AFE over EP. So thank you for posting this before if its the same one.

Probably was me (I go by the screen name). Here is the information I found regarding base stock content of 0W-20 AFE vs EP: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3480048/Re:_M1_AFE_0w-20_basestock_con#Post3480048

krdeal · February 9, 2016

Just did my taxes and ordered an Elite Engineering E2-X Catch Can... Noticed its starting to idle a little rough again even at 600 RPMs...

Probably going to try CRC GDI IVD™ Intake Valve Cleaner before I do the next oil change to see if it helps; I'm kinda convinced I already have a lot of build up with all the remote starts I'm doing and it being winter.

Two questions... How are you liking your E2-X catch can set-up? Where did you mount it? (Brake Master Cylinder or W/W Ressy?

FYI: I just did the CRC Cleaner and did not see the results I was hoping for. I even bought the stuff for the tank as AAP had a BOGO on them. I noticed more of a difference with the tank cleaner than the IVC. I have about 25K on the motor and the idle is not all that bad, but it was starting to get a little rough while in drive at a light with my foot on the brake. I think I am going to do the IVC a 2nd time or possibly try the Sea foam version.

ic3man5 · February 9, 2016

All my pictures are here:

http://imgur.com/a/ZJx0b

roughly about 300-400 miles in that cup.

krdeal · February 9, 2016

Looks great! I'll bet 1/2 of the cup is water condensation.

Sierra_Kayaker · February 10, 2016

Two questions... How are you liking your E2-X catch can set-up? Where did you mount it? (Brake Master Cylinder or W/W Ressy?

FYI: I just did the CRC Cleaner and did not see the results I was hoping for. I even bought the stuff for the tank as AAP had a BOGO on them. I noticed more of a difference with the tank cleaner than the IVC. I have about 25K on the motor and the idle is not all that bad, but it was starting to get a little rough while in drive at a light with my foot on the brake. I think I am going to do the IVC a 2nd time or possibly try the Sea foam version.

Remember with Direct Injection, tank additives are not going to be effective because fuel is sprayed directly into cylinder vs sprayed on top of the valve.

krdeal · February 10, 2016

Remember with Direct Injection, tank additives are not going to be effective because fuel is sprayed directly into cylinder vs sprayed on top of the valve.

I know, but the testimonials have been fantastic even in our application. I was wondering if the rough idle was being caused by more then one thing (other than valve coking). What's funny is the tank stuff did MORE for the rough idle than the intake valve cleaner. Now I'll let you explain that to everybody else! LOL

A buddy of mine is a master tech for GM. I spoke with him at length about this issue. Do you know what GM has been doing? The exact same things most of us on the forums have already found out. They use a GM branded spray in intake valve cleaner and in worse case scenarios, they clean the valves manually by removing the intake manifold. So GM is aware there is a problem.

HondaHawkGT · February 10, 2016

I had excellent results with the IVC. Got the engine up to operating temp. Sprayed it into the manifold through the PCV line. Let it sit an hour. Took it out and hammered on it (several WOT runs to redline) for 20 or 30 minutes. The engine ran progressively better over that time. It was pretty noticeable. The CRC IVC uses the same active ingredient that the good injector cleaners use (PEA).

krdeal · February 10, 2016

I had excellent results with the IVC. Got the engine up to operating temp. Sprayed it into the manifold through the PCV line. Let it sit an hour. Took it out and hammered on it (several WOT runs to redline) for 20 or 30 minutes. The engine ran progressively better over that time. It was pretty noticeable. The CRC IVC uses the same active ingredient that the good injector cleaners use (PEA).

I'm going to have try this again.....

HondaHawkGT · February 10, 2016

It's your call. It's important to let the spray work on the carbon while the engine is hot and take the truck out later and hammer on it a bit.

Last C5 · February 11, 2016

I'm going to be the Grinch here, but I'd say don't put too much stock in what Blackstone has to say.

I'm the third engine that I know of that Blackstone gave a clean bill of health and then it self destructed within hours.

My last test from Blackstone said the engine was fine, but when I opened up the filter from that same oil change the filter was full of metal. An autopsy of the engine showed it was toast.

Blackstone's excuse for all these engines(three different owners) was that metal in the filters was too big for them to see. My machinist says that is bunk. If big pieces are coming off then microscopic pieces are also coming off. Granted these were all Corvette LS engines, but the LS architecture is not that much different from the LT.

Cut your filters and see what you really have.

Badass69 · February 11, 2016

I have seen a few complaints with Blackstone. ... and personally I think them writing their little story section is bunk. Any real lab out there won't do that on liability alone... But they are a US thing I need not worry about lol.

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glcbn · February 11, 2016

OK, so I'm reading Blackstone is bunk. So who the hell is a reputable lab?

HondaHawkGT · February 12, 2016

I'm going to be the Grinch here, but I'd say don't put too much stock in what Blackstone has to say.I'm the third engine that I know of that Blackstone gave a clean bill of health and then it self destructed within hours.My last test from Blackstone said the engine was fine, but when I opened up the filter from that same oil change the filter was full of metal. An autopsy of the engine showed it was toast.Blackstone's excuse for all these engines(three different owners) was that metal in the filters was too big for them to see. My machinist says that is bunk. If big pieces are coming off then microscopic pieces are also coming off. Granted these were all Corvette LS engines, but the LS architecture is not that much different from the LT.Cut your filters and see what you really have.

What kind of engine failures were they?

We send in used oil samples from all of our compressors for analysis at a lab (not Blackstone). We've always used the service for wear trending and determining service intervals.

Last C5 · February 12, 2016

What kind of engine failures were they?

We send in used oil samples from all of our compressors for analysis at a lab (not Blackstone). We've always used the service for wear trending and determining service intervals.

In each case they were mechanical component failures i.e. bearings, camshafts, piston skirts, etc. I've also used lab services to track wear trending for fleet vehicles.

I've seen many lab reports come back with warnings of impending engine doom and they were very helpful. Many times we could tear an engine down and rebuild it before something catastrophic happened. I'm just saying Trust but Verify. Cutting a filter is easy and let's you have a second opinion.