Oil Analysis - 2020 6.2L (L87)

[BainMan]

Please share some insight into my recent oil analysis. Oil type is unknown, was last changed at the dealership before I purchased the truck. Over 79,000 miles on the motor, 4,200 miles on oil when sampled/changed.

 

No current issues, oil burning minimal. Just wanted to get a baseline.

20 SIERRA 1500-250510-edit (1).pdf

[Grumpy Bear]

Total wear metals come in at 6.9 ppm/K miles. Iron alone is almost 5 ppm/K miles. 

Base on the Universal Averages 6.4 ppm/K total wear metals and 3.1 ppm/K iron are their benchmarks. 

What does that indicate to you? 

 

Some critical information is missing. TBN and Oxidation and any VOA data so we know what is background and what is wear.

 

Hint: With the recent increases in Blackstone Labs pricing AND lack of critical information AND crackle test for water and flash cups for fuel; you will find @Black02Silverado can set you up with a cheaper and more complete and accurate test. 

 

Outside the fact that this motor is running close to Universal Averages doesn't mean meaningful improvement can't be made in wear. Your past warranty, yes? No? If so believe GM. Start using a decent 0W40 or at least a 3.5 minimum HTHS 5W30 (ACEA C3). 

 

Will it fall apart if you don't? No. It will just live longer if you do. How long is your choice. And find an oil with some solvency or that little bit of oil consumption will become something other... Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 would be a good fist shot even though it isn't a polar oil. It does it's cleaning by other chemical means and while not 3.5 it is 3.3 HTHS which is a vast improvement over the 2.6 HTHS oil now in it. 4K OCI without TBN seems safe. 

 

Now let the rain begin. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

[BainMan]

Thanks @Grumpy Bear. That iron ppm is exactly why I posted. I'll look deeper into which oil (0w40 or 5w30) and brand will be my next move. I don't know what HTHS is, but I'll go do my own research on that.. Who knows what oil the dealership would have used that was in it previously.. 

 

Interested to learn more about the analysis @Black02Silverado offers.

Edited June 10, 2025 by BainMan

[Black02Silverado]

8 hours ago, BainMan said:

Thanks @Grumpy Bear. That iron ppm is exactly why I posted. I'll look deeper into which oil (0w40 or 5w30) and brand will be my next move. I don't know what HTHS is, but I'll go do my own research on that.. Who knows what oil the dealership would have used that was in it previously.. 

 

Interested to learn more about the analysis @Black02Silverado offers.

I can get you Oil Analizers used oil kits. The best price is to be a Preferred Customer. I can get you set up. I just need your name,address,email address and phone number. You can send it in a PM. 

[Grumpy Bear]

12 hours ago, BainMan said:

Please share some insight into my recent oil analysis. Oil type is unknown, was last changed at the dealership before I purchased the truck. Over 79,000 miles on the motor, 4,200 miles on oil when sampled/changed.

 

No current issues, oil burning minimal. Just wanted to get a baseline.

20 SIERRA 1500-250510-edit (1).pdf 18.38 kB · 18 downloads

 

 

Some things to keep in mind. 1.) And average is just that. When they give you one there are motors below and above that nominal value. 2.) Each motor platform and even state of factory tune can have a large impact on the actual values. Not every power cylinder is laid out the same. Ring choice, bore hardness and material type, etc. This may be good for that motor with that oil. Not alarming. But you MAY be able to improve those results. 

[customboss]

On 6/10/2025 at 9:41 AM, BainMan said:

Thanks @Grumpy Bear. That iron ppm is exactly why I posted. I'll look deeper into which oil (0w40 or 5w30) and brand will be my next move. I don't know what HTHS is, but I'll go do my own research on that.. Who knows what oil the dealership would have used that was in it previously.. 

 

Interested to learn more about the analysis @Black02Silverado offers.

Bainman, ask Nick, @Black02Silverado about the air leak sucking dust in around your air filter system ( maybe air filter itself ?) from this analysis. No one seems to correlate that to iron wear level. Insolubles in 4200 miles too high. 
I’d correct dust leak and run Valvoline Restore Clean and Protect 0w-20 for an interval. 
 

 

[customboss]

On 6/10/2025 at 9:41 AM, BainMan said:

Thanks @Grumpy Bear. That iron ppm is exactly why I posted. I'll look deeper into which oil (0w40 or 5w30) and brand will be my next move. I don't know what HTHS is, but I'll go do my own research on that.. Who knows what oil the dealership would have used that was in it previously.. 

 

Interested to learn more about the analysis @Black02Silverado offers.

Drop by here and get a proper interpretation ; 

 

 

[Black02Silverado]

@BainMan Silicon too high and is dirt causing increased iron wear especially for only having 4,200 miles on it. When was the last time the air filter was changed? 
Manganese and potassium are dirt that are knocking off fuel deposits and potassium chloride from salt .

 

With only 4,200 miles the insoldubles shouldn't be what it is and max of 0.2 or less.  What oil filter are you using?
 

Also, what fuel are you using?  Any chance to get E85 and mix it in?  I can run 9 gallons of E85 to a tank and not throw any check engine light codes.  Any higher and I get running lean on both banks.  It runs so much better using E85 like that. It also helps burn cleaner and has higher octane.  

[BainMan]

On 6/13/2025 at 8:30 AM, Black02Silverado said:

@BainMan Silicon too high and is dirt causing increased iron wear especially for only having 4,200 miles on it. When was the last time the air filter was changed? 
Manganese and potassium are dirt that are knocking off fuel deposits and potassium chloride from salt .

 

With only 4,200 miles the insoldubles shouldn't be what it is and max of 0.2 or less.  What oil filter are you using?
 

Also, what fuel are you using?  Any chance to get E85 and mix it in?  I can run 9 gallons of E85 to a tank and not throw any check engine light codes.  Any higher and I get running lean on both banks.  It runs so much better using E85 like that. It also helps burn cleaner and has higher octane.  

Somehow I missed your reply (a long time ago). Running Shell 93, but get the occasional Sam's Club 91 when I don't have time to make it across the river to the Shell. I've never considered mixing in E85.. Do you fill the rest of the tank with premium or is 89 good when mixing E85? 

 

Air filter looked clean after purchasing the truck, so I have not changed it.. I took it out and combed through looking for debris. It looked like the dealership changed it, or it was recently changed prior to them getting it.  I'll add it to the list though, I don't like not knowing how many miles are on it..  

 

Oil filter - Purolator PL22500 with Mobil 1 0w-20 High Mileage. 

 

I'm 3,000 miles into this oil change, may consider getting it analyzed again at 4,000... 

 

[Black02Silverado]

9 hours ago, BainMan said:

Somehow I missed your reply (a long time ago). Running Shell 93, but get the occasional Sam's Club 91 when I don't have time to make it across the river to the Shell. I've never considered mixing in E85.. Do you fill the rest of the tank with premium or is 89 good when mixing E85? 

 

Air filter looked clean after purchasing the truck, so I have not changed it.. I took it out and combed through looking for debris. It looked like the dealership changed it, or it was recently changed prior to them getting it.  I'll add it to the list though, I don't like not knowing how many miles are on it..  

 

Oil filter - Purolator PL22500 with Mobil 1 0w-20 High Mileage. 

 

I'm 3,000 miles into this oil change, may consider getting it analyzed again at 4,000... 

 

OK, it would be good to see the UOA.  It's not expensive and so I would change out the air filter.

 

As for E85, I put in 9 gallons and then fill up with 93 but 89 would work just as good I would imagine.  The E85 is what boost the octane anyway.