Blackstone report in, need advice

[SCHMOUPE]

Alright gents, just got the car out of storage and did an oil change. The old oil was in the car close to a year and probably 6-7k miles on it. Got the car properly warmed up and did the change and took sample from middle of the pan and sent to Blackstone. Below is the report, what do you think? Do I need to get the bearings done?

[XMetal]

I would monitor it a few more times to see some type of trend before proceeding. 11ppm actually isn't that bad. I would be ecstatic had I gotten 11ppm for my 1st analysis. Copper is still very low...so I think that's a good sign. My 1st analysis showed 20ppm lead (on a 6k mile interval) and I only got 28k miles on the motor with no track use. Are you using TWS? I'm thinking about changing to something other than TWS to see if my lead would improve. I figured that since I'll need bearings anyway...mind as well do some experimenting.

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I would monitor it a few more times to see some type of trend before proceeding. 11ppm actually isn't that bad. I would be ecstatic had I gotten 11ppm for my 1st analysis. Copper is still very low...so I think that's a good sign. My 1st analysis showed 20ppm lead (on a 6k mile interval) and I only got 28k miles on the motor with no track use. Are you using TWS? I'm thinking about changing to something other than TWS to see if my lead would improve. I figured that since I'll need bearings anyway...mind as well do some experimenting.

Thanks for your perspective. Is copper combined with lead usually the telltale sign of bad bearings? Yes I use Castrol 10w60 religiously. Car saw no abuse/track use last year either. What are your lead and copper levels now?

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

Thanks for your perspective. Is copper combined with lead usually the telltale sign of bad bearings? Yes I use Castrol 10w60 religiously. Car saw no abuse/track use last year either. What are your lead and copper levels now?

increased copper levels indicate that you have passed through some of the lead.
.....definitely time to do the bearings at that point.

[bignosejim]

Copper going up usually indicates that the bearings have probably worn past the first layer of bearing material and starting to go through the copper layer underneath.

If you had used Techron or other fuel system cleaner during that oil change interval that can also effect results. You need to monitor for more than one analysis. My first Blackstone report showed 22 ppm lead. I had a slightly high oil level (just a hair above the line), and did a Techron treatment. My next sample was 8 ppm then 5 ppm and my last was 3 ppm.

One of the more important things is to not rev too high before engine oil temp is up to normal operating temp. I don't rev above 4k until oil temp is about 10 o'clock (half way between dash and 210). My oil change interval is 5,000 miles.

One high oil sample does not mean you need bearings right away. I would do a few samples and if they are consistently high while being careful, then do the bearings.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by bignosejim

One of the more important things is to not rev too high before engine oil temp is up to normal operating temp. I don't rev above 4k until oil temp is about 10 o'clock (half way between dash and 210). My oil change interval is 5,000 miles.

{Sarcasm intended}
But those cool lights on the tach tell me that I can rev to 5k right after I start the car...and then to 7k very soon after.

I actually keep my max revs to 3K or until I hit that first dash on the oil temp gauge so as to get the VANOS up to operating temp. It sounds louder to me (in the typical 3-3,300rpm range) when cold than when warm.

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

increased copper levels indicate that you have passed through some of the lead.
.....definitely time to do the bearings at that point.

Originally Posted by bignosejim

Copper going up usually indicates that the bearings have probably worn past the first layer of bearing material and starting to go through the copper layer underneath.

If you had used Techron or other fuel system cleaner during that oil change interval that can also effect results. You need to monitor for more than one analysis. My first Blackstone report showed 22 ppm lead. I had a slightly high oil level (just a hair above the line), and did a Techron treatment. My next sample was 8 ppm then 5 ppm and my last was 3 ppm.

One of the more important things is to not rev too high before engine oil temp is up to normal operating temp. I don't rev above 4k until oil temp is about 10 o'clock (half way between dash and 210). My oil change interval is 5,000 miles.

One high oil sample does not mean you need bearings right away. I would do a few samples and if they are consistently high while being careful, then do the bearings.

I learned something new today!
Jim, thanks for the advice. I definitely used Techron last year. I will stay away from is and see what happens. Also, if I shorten the oil change interval to 5k which I always did with exception of last year, would that throw off numbers? I would think yes but not by much.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

Thanks for your perspective. Is copper combined with lead usually the telltale sign of bad bearings? Yes I use Castrol 10w60 religiously. Car saw no abuse/track use last year either. What are your lead and copper levels now?

That was my 1st and only analysis thus far, which I did a couple of month ago.
Lead = 20ppm
Copper = 5ppm

Actually, my interval was actually closer to 5K miles than 6K.

I still have Castrol 10w60 in it right now, but thinking about trying something else on the next change. I also like to see more data points prior to taking any action.

I've also heard about Techron increasing lead reading, but my sample was taken (through the dipstick) prior to using Techron treatment. Then changed the oil a couple of tanks after using the Techron treatment. But then again, I've been using mostly Chevron gas, which contains Techron. May be that's what is contributing to to my high lead reading?

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

Also, if I shorten the oil change interval to 5k which I always did with exception of last year, would that throw off numbers? I would think yes but not by much.

I think that if you shorten the oil change interval to 5000 miles that you should expect to see 8 ppm lead (based on your 7k sample). Anything below that would be an improvement.

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by bignosejim

I think that if you shorten the oil change interval to 5000 miles that you should expect to see 8 ppm lead (based on your 7k sample). Anything below that would be an improvement.

Thanks! I will keep an eye on the numbers and will definitely make blackstone a part of my oil change routine.

[CFoote]

If you haven't tracked the car and been a rev-happy owner, I would not sweat this analysis too much I would do another and see where you end up. You are an '07, didn't your engine have the newer bearings?

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by CFoote

If you haven't tracked the car and been a rev-happy owner, I would not swear this analysis too much I would do another and see where you end up. You are an '07, didn't your engine have the newer bearings?

The car is an 07 although with a manufacturing date of 11/06 and no idea about the newer bearings. I will keep an eye on it this summer and do another test to see where everything stands.

[XMetal]

I believe BMW redesign the rod and bearings back in 2003...so all Z4M should have the updated bearings. But unfortunately, some of us still have bearing issue, even with the updated design.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I believe BMW redesign the rod and bearings back in 2003...so all Z4M should have the updated bearings. But unfortunately, some of us still have bearing issue, even with the updated design.

I think ALL S54's will have bearing issues at some point as it seems to be a wear part for this motor.

[Swashplate]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I think ALL S54's will have bearing issues at some point as it seems to be a wear part for this motor.

This.....grrrrr.

Pay to play.

[nekky]

Originally Posted by Swashplate

This.....grrrrr.

Pay to play.

Planning on having to check mine too very soon... :/

[RobMCoupe]

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

The car is an 07 although with a manufacturing date of 11/06 and no idea about the newer bearings. I will keep an eye on it this summer and do another test to see where everything stands.

We have the same production month. My actual production date is 11-8-2006. I believe they switch over to new vano bolts right around that time. I forgot to check on my last valve adjustment.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I think ALL S54's will have bearing issues at some point as it seems to be a wear part for this motor.

This is true, but the updated design supposed to have better wear. I'm not saying that it was a cure...just somewhat of a band-aid BMW did to mitigate some of the early blown engine issues. Unfortunately, my oil analysis indicates otherwise (high lead content for a low mileage street car)

[pal]

I've replaced my bearings twice already but then I track the car quite a bit.

As others have said, you want to get at least a couple of high readings to see a trend before making a decision. It also depends on usage; you want to be safe if you track the car where you see continuous high rpm use.

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by pal

I've replaced my bearings twice already but then I track the car quite a bit.

As others have said, you want to get at least a couple of high readings to see a trend before making a decision. It also depends on usage; you want to be safe if you track the car where you see continuous high rpm use.

hey Pal,
good to see you here! In case I ever want to go through with the bearing replacement, who did them for you? Did you do them yourself?

BTW, I have 12 of those studs that we used when you did my headers. I moved last year and lost them in the process but found them in the garage again!

[jmillet]

I switched from TWS to Red Line 10W-60 at 43,000 miles and lead at 10 ppm. Changed oil at 46,500 and analysis showed 21 ppm on the Red Line oil. Went to GReedy 10W-60 this time and will change again at around 50,000 miles.
My car sees a lot of high RPM driving school miles so the high lead reading doesn't surprise me. I've got $2,000 set aside to do the bearings if the next oil analysis shows continued high lead levels.
Blackstone Oil Analysis S54 August 2013.pdf

[XMetal]

That's a bummer that your lead count went up with RedLine as I was hoping to try that oil on my next change to experiment and see if I can bring down my lead count. Curious to see the result of GReddy oil...please keep us posted. Thanks.