Synthetic / 5w30 & 10w30 10K / '04 Colorado I-5

[mshu7]

This is a sample from my dad's '04 Colorado I-5 with 50k on the odometer.

Right now I'm with-holding the brand of oil because I would like some unbiased comments on the report, particularly the sodium levels.

Year: 2004
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado
Engine: 3.5L Inline 5-cylinder
Miles on Engine: 50,000
Sample Date: Dec. 10, 2006
Oil: 3qts. of 5w30, 3qts. of 10w30 all synthetic
Miles on Oil: 10,000
Make-up Oil: 0
Oil Filter: WIX 51522
Air Filter: WIX 42013
Additional info: Oil life monitor had not yet gone off, however on the 2004's, there's no percentage for oil life.

I'm not really sure what my dad's driving habits (city vs. highway). He occasionaly used Lucas UCL and also used 1 bottle of Gumout Regane.

I don't know why the sodium level is elevated. Blackstone indicated that it could be from the Lucas UCL, however, I use Lucas UCL on every fill-up in my '05 Mazda 3 and my only UOA from that car came back great. Unfortunately, I'm thinking it might be coolant. Anyway, I'd really appreciate everybody's thoughts.

By the way, I used both 5w30 and 10w30 because that's just what I had in my garage at the time.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Well first of all I would recomend you leave the Lucas alone for the next oil change interval and sample earlier. With out knowing what oil was used we have no way of knowing how much sodium is in the formulated oil. Their is a faint trace of potasium but it is so low that it does not mean you have a massive coolant leak.It is normal for a head gasket to move bit when cold and sometimes a little bit of coolant will leak into the engine. The sodium could be from the oil or also from traces of coolant. Keep an eye on it but do not worry at this point!

 

[mshu7]

Quote:

---

Well first of all I would recomend you leave the Lucas alone for the next oil change interval and sample earlier. With out knowing what oil was used we have no way of knowing how much sodium is in the formulated oil.

---

I agree about leaving the Lucas alone on this interval. I'm going to tell my dad to hold off.

I guess I'll go ahead and say the oil was Pennzoil Platinum.

 

[TeeDub]

This engine has chain driven, DOHC's, so the iron level of 26 ppm is fine for a 10,000 mile OCI. I'd say the silicon is borderline high (it should be 10-15 ppm).

I'd forget about the snake oil additives and just run the PP by itself. It probably doesn't matter if you run 5w30 or 10w30, in fact I'd just use whatever is on sale.

You might also consider trying the high efficiency, Amsoil oil filter one time and seeing if you can drop the total solids levels a bit. That might allow you to run this oil perhaps 20% longer and still maintain a stable viscosity.

 

[mshu7]

Hey, thanks for some more input TeeDub.

The 5w30/10w30 mix was just because that's what I had at the time. I put 6qts. of 5w30 in this last time.

I'm not sure why the silicon is high. The WIX air filter looked to be in pretty good shape when I checked it. I took it off and re-connected it just to make sure it was fastened down good.

I told my dad to drop the Lucas stuff since it appears to be causing the high sodium levels. I'll probably have him use a bottle of Regane once every 5K or something. He always fills up at the cheapest mom & pop places so I'm sure the gas he gets isn't that great.

 

[dave1251]

mshu7 I agree with you on the gas quality. I hate it when I am back home. I am from Anderson. The vehicals that I drive when I am there don't seem to have the pep.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I have the same model, year and engine. Check the black air filter box for a good seal. That box is a bugger to seal properly. I use the Fram air filter.

These engines are a carry-over from the intake leaks of earlier GM engines. I don't think GM changed the gasket composition until 2005. Wait until around 70K for the next UOA. If the sodium increases, then it may be time for some GM Coolant tabs. I just started using the coolant tabs in my GM S-10 with 4.3 at 80K. Now I will reduce the OCIs to 5K & go from there.

 

[mshu7]

Thanks for all the info 777, that is really helpful. I checked the air filter and air filter container when I took the sample. I'm pretty sure I got it sealed up real good this time around. I was going to take a sample 5K into this next 10K run on his Colorado.

Again, thanks for the heads up on that stuff.

 

[SSDude]

This looks like Mobil 1.

 

[CharBaby]

I agree with SSDude......It sure looks like Mobil 1 from the 26 ppm of iron. Or at least 3 of those 6 qts were M-1.

 

[mshu7]

It was definitely all PP. 3-qts. 5w30 & 3-qts. 10w30

 

[Ramblin Fever]

I agree, don't think an engine with this low of mileage should need any oil additives; i'd be kind of leary of Lucus anyway.

It's a shame that the intake gasket issues have carried over to this truck; great truck. Almost bought one before we got the '04 Tacoma.

 

[mshu7]

Just for clarification...

There were no OIL additives used. The only Lucas product used was their GAS treatment.

Ramblin, you're right about the gasket issue. I was disappointed when I heard it. Hopefully, they have fixed it with the revised I-5 (3.5L to 3.7L and 225hp to ~240hp).

 

[Triple_Se7en]

There's nothing wrong with VSOT as an additive when used in approximate half-doses. There's a ton of posters here who agree with me. It contains nothing but what's already in our oil jugs.

VSOT is not a snake oil. Look at the VOA here.

Also... there's a somewhat even chance my Colorado will outlive your Tacoma. If you don't believe me, then look at the ages of vehicles in junkyards. Seems to me that I read somewwere, the Japanese models go to their grave at an earlier age than American-names.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Sorry, I thought he meant he was using Lucus oil treatment; I have nothing against VSOT as an oil additive - I must have missed the part in which he said he was using that.

If I could find VSOT - in fact, I'd be using it in my older engine.

I could care less about playing the game of who's engine is going to live longer - I looked long and hard over the Tacoma and the Colorado, both trucks had excellent features, both trucks have good engines, the one that won, was the one that my son had more leg room in, if you want the honest truth.

But along with that, the truck we traded for the new one was an '85 Toyota that had 270k+ miles with minimal repairs considering the life it endured, that that's all I care about. If I get at least that much out of this rig, I'll be happy.

I'm not into playing I got the better vehicle game, as you can see I own an Isuzu Rodeo - which most people cringed upon me when I bought that 2nd Rodeo - funny though, it's got 166k carefree miles, been in the shop less times then trucks I was told I should buy.

I'm a firm believer in just taking care of what you got, treat it good, and hope you get the best.

And again, the Colorado IS a nice truck - I still turn my head when I see one go buy; but the dealerships refused to budge on price, which most had set more then the Tacoma for less options.

 

[gudmund]

6 oil samples/5 were 10thou(starting at 60thou) each using reg. M1 3 times & AMS/GC 1 each and the last one using M1/EP for 15thou(from 110thou to 125thou) and NEVER in any of them was there a problem with Sodium #6-8-3-3-4-7#!!! This car has had UCL in every tank from 37thou till today when it was filled-159000 miles exactly!! 2oz every 6 to 9 gal fillup. 43.03 MPG overall average for the last 121++thou miles!!! 41+ave winter/45+ave summer which is better than the 39/43 EPA it was rated from the factory. I will keep using the stuff....................98 Suzuki Swift 1.3 4cyl 5sp-- 105miles a day round trip too and from work daily and everywhere else on the weekends--35000miles a year average. Do I have another vehicle?? yes it's a 2001 Suzuki Swift(44thou miles-under a tarp)waiting for the 98 to be put out to pasture!!

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Cool! That's great!

Like I said, the Colorado is a great truck - I have nothing against it.

You're truly able to get 40+mpg on a 5-cylinder? Wow - that's good.

We're getting almost 30mpg city in the Tacoma V6, but it's the automatic.

My Dodge diesel still has my Tacoma beat though on mpg.

Good job - keep that truck running good; it'll last forever.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I believe that Gudmund is refering to a Suzuki swift. as for the V-6 Tacoma. 22mpg is doing really well close to 30 is a tall tale. (unless you have a non prerunner/4x4 stature v-6 which can get 27 on the EPA highway.

The EPA ratings for the I5 in the 2004 colorado follow.
Vortec 3500 I-5


5-speed manual, 19/25
4WD with 5-speed manual, 18/23
4-speed automatic, 18/24
4WD with 4-speed automatic, 18/23 (17/22 Crew Cab)

 

[mshu7]

Quote:

---

Let's maintain the credibility of factual information.

---

Thank you! +2

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I edited the post because there was a misunderstanding of what vehicle was being refered to. But the statement does stand.. Stick to the facts.