Motul 8100 X-cess 5W40, 7432miles, '98 Civic SiR

[ck2718]

Just received my UOA result from WearCheck. The latest result is on the left while the previous UOA results are on the right. Comments provided are for the latest result. For the latest UOA, the motor oil used was the Motul 8100 X-cess 5W40. For the previous three UOAs, it was the Motul 300V 5W40 (the newest with the double-ester formulation and the remaining with single-ester formulation).

No make-up oil required. Driving condition: Hot (average of 30 degree Celsius), humidity (70% - 90% humidity) climate, mixture of both urban and highway driving (30%:70%). 2 trackdays were done at Sepang International Circuit with 3-4 hours of high engine speeds (up to 8,000rpm) for each trackday.

Miles on oil: 7,432 / 7,845 / 7,251 / 6,402
Time on oil: 7 months / 6 months / 7 months / 6 months
Unit Make : Honda
Unit Model : Civic SiR (JDM)
Engine/Trans: 1.6-litre DOHC VTEC (B16A)/ 5-speed manual
Air & oil filter: K&N, original Honda oil filter
Diagnostician : Doug Bogart

CONTAMINATION
There is no indication of any contamination in the component.
Silicon 32 / 1.5 / 19 / 16
Potassium 0 / 0.6 / 0.3 / 0
Sodium 8.8 / 3.8 / 3.0 / 3.4
Fuel (%) Glycol --- / --- / --- / ---
Water (%) --- / 0.123 / 0.117
Soot (%) 0 / 0.5 / 0.1 / 0.1
Sulfation 39 / 19 / 67 / 69
Nitration 16 / 9 / 14 / 13

OIL CONDITION
Oil Type: 4 LTR of SAE 5W40
The condition of the oil is acceptable for the time in service
Boron 1.3 / 0.9 / 2.2 / 0.8
Barium 0.3 / 0 / 0 / 0.6
Calcium 1220 / 2638 / 2328 / 2154
Magnesium 825 / 606 / 587 / 462
Molybdenum 110 / 538 / 73 / 63
Sodium 8.8 / 3.8 / 3.0 / 3.4
Phosphorus 729 / 1175 / 954 / 907
Sulfur 2802 / 5462 / 4181 / 4312
Zinc 878 / 1295 / 1161 / 1028
Visc@40°C --- / --- / --- / ---
Visc@100°C 14.83 / 13.7 / 13 / 12.8
Oxidation 58 / 18 / 109 / 104
TAN 3.62 / --- / 3.41 / 3.20
TBN --- / 9.05 / --- / ---

WEAR
All component wear rates are normal.
Iron 23 / 7.9 / 7.8 / 9.5
Nickel 1.4 / 0 / 0.2 / 0.2
Chromium 3.3 /0.4 / 1.1 / 1.4
Titanium 0.2 / 0 / 0.1 / 0.1
Copper 19 / 12 / 7.1 / 8.9
Aluminum 12 / 12 / 8.3 / 7.8
Tin 0 / 3.8 / 0 / 0
Lead 6.9 / 4.5 / 4.3 / 6.9
Silver 0 / 0 / 0 / 0

Oh, and during the service of this oil, I'd replaced the entire gearbox including the clutch cover, pressure disc and flywheel. I'd also replaced the valve cover gasket.

Any cause for concern for the increase in Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu and Na? Is it safe to assume that the Motul 8100 X-cess has a weaker additive package, particularly Ca, P, Zn and S, than the 300V? Starting TBN of virgin 8100 X-cess is 10.3. With a TAN of 3.62, does this mean the oil is still suitable for further use, e.g. to 15,000km (9,320 miles)? Strangely, the viscosity is higher than the starting 14.0. Why is this so?

Appreciate all your expert opinion and comment.

 

[talker]

looks good.

Hondas are indestructable

 

[unDummy]

Iron shot up. I would go back to the previous oil. Did the previous runs have track time? If not, then the Fe is from the track and not to be worried about.

Indestructable? why was the gearbox replaced?

 

[09rexwagon]

Probably an ISB in which case, its usually cheaper and easier to just throw a new tranny on it than to spend a whole weekend of swearing and effort to replace a $15 bearing .

 

[ck2718]

Originally Posted By: unDummy
Iron shot up. I would go back to the previous oil. Did the previous runs have track time? If not, then the Fe is from the track and not to be worried about.

Indestructable? why was the gearbox replaced?


Yes, the previous runs saw track time during the respective oils' service. I'm on my second run of the Motul 8100 X-cess. Will see if the iron improves. If not, I'll go back to 300V.

The original gearbox was in perfect condition. I should've used 'upgraded' and not 'replaced'. I now have the N3E gearbox (with LSD) from the JDM Integra Type R.

 

[JAG]

Silicon is very elevated, possibly from dirt getting in during the engine work. I think this is why wear increased. Dirt ingestion is always something to look for in a UOA before blaming the lubricant. It is still a good idea to insure there are no intake leaks.

Thickening is typically from oxidation and polymerization. I can't say the oil is toasted but I wouldn't run it any longer than it was run here without having more data to support the decision. To use the TAN data, it is best to have a VOA value for it. Having TBN also helps for comparing to the used oil TAN.

 

[Gary Allan]

JAG, dirt would account for all the usual suspects up ramping at (what I consider) a big jump from all the near same service. He did change a valve cover gasket at some point in the interval. Surely worth a check on the plumbing.

I can't make head nor tails of some of the data ..but lots of indicators are atypical compared to the other three. I'd return to the other oil and see if the indications retreat.

All in all, it's not "bad" ..just not as boring as the last three.

 

[ck2718]

Originally Posted By: JAG
Silicon is very elevated, possibly from dirt getting in during the engine work. I think this is why wear increased. Dirt ingestion is always something to look for in a UOA before blaming the lubricant. It is still a good idea to insure there are no intake leaks.

Thickening is typically from oxidation and polymerization. I can't say the oil is toasted but I wouldn't run it any longer than it was run here without having more data to support the decision. To use the TAN data, it is best to have a VOA value for it. Having TBN also helps for comparing to the used oil TAN.


I'll have a look at my intake though I'm hoping that it's due to the dirt ingested while the head was off for the change of valve cover gasket.

For the Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40 in my engine now for a second run, I'll go no more than 12,000km (7456 miles), after which I'll probably switch back to the 300V. By the way, I'm getting conflicting answers as to whether the 8100 X-cess is ester-based. Can someone help me out here?

 

[saaber1]

I would go back to the previous oil. Calcium and zinc are both lower in this oil compared to the previous. Iron, chromium, copper all all higher. We can't ignore the potential contamination issue JAG discussed, but still the earlier oil looks better in terms of additives to me.

 

[JAG]

I also want to add that a spike in chromium like seen here is a hallmark sign of dirt ingestion. 3-body abrasion occurs. The rings (often chromium plated) get abraded by the dirt and the piston walls (iron) do to.

 

[ck2718]

Thanks for your insight saaber1. I was tempted by the Porsche approval to switch from 300V to the 8100 X-cess 5w-40. Looks like I'll have to switch back to 300V.

On this note, how does Amsoil XLO 10W-40 compare with the 300V 5W-40?

 

[ck2718]

Thanks for your comments JAG. I do hope that the dirt ingested was from during the time the valve cover was off the engine for the replacement of the gasket. I'm on my second run of X-cess 5W-40 and will run it to 10,000km (6,213 miles) and see if it's any better.