Shell Helix Ultra 0w-30 AV-L, 10362km, Saab B202L

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Here is the second analysis on my SAAB 900 turbo 16 with shell Helix Ultra Professional AV-L 0w-30.

uoa_621k_1.jpg


uoa_621k_2.jpg


OIL Shell Helix Ultra Professional 0w-30 AV-L
MILES IN USE 6440 (10362km), 6 months
MILES 386177 (621359km)
SAMPLE TAKEN 18/03/25 (date format for the civilized part of the world: 25.03.2017)
FILTER: Mann w712/80

wear metals (mg/kg)

IRON 14
CHROME 1
TIN 1
ALUMINUM 3
NICKEL 0
COPPER 4
LEAD 1
ANTIMONY 1
MANGANESE 0
pq-index
pollution (mg/kg)

SILICON 9
POTASSIUM 1
SODIUM 5
WATER (%) IR-GLYKOL negative
FUEL (%) 1.18


Additives (mg/kg)

CALCIUM 1390
MAGNESIUM 9
BORON 305
ZINC 757
PHOSPHORUS 565
BARIUM 0
MOLYBDENUM 2
SULPHUR 1309


state of oil:

visc. @40°C (mm2/s) 56.62
visc. @100°C (mm2/s) 11.36
VI 199
OXYDATION (A/cm) 1
NITRATION (A/cm) 0
SULFATION (A/cm) 0
dispergency* (%) 94
SOOT INDEX** BN N/A


* the german word was "Schmutztragevermögen", hope I translated that right.
** the lab has introduced the "Rußindex", an in-house tool to check for soot in
gasoline oil, as soot from direct-injection engines will not show correctly in the
standard test for diesel oils

And here is the original report. From left to right: Shell Helix Ultra 0w-30 AV-L, Shell Helix Ultra 0w-30 AV-L, Shell Helix Ultra 0w-40 (twice).

uoa_621k_1.jpg


Previous UOA: https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4612694/Re:_Shell_Helix_Ultra_0w-30_AV

In direct comparison, you can see the effect of the residual oil - total oil volume is 4.5 litres, oil change volume just 3.8. So 0.7 litres stay in the oil cooler. In the first interval of the 0w-30, both viscosity and additive profile obviously have been skewed a bit by the residual 0w-40. That is why I usually took samples only in the second interval with a new oil, but with the AV-L being so thin, I got a bit nervous last time.

All in all, I'm relatively pleased even with the second UOA. Wear seems normal, and the low ZDDP does not seem to hurt the flat tappets too much.
But I am more than impressed with the stability of the oil. Oxidation, Nitration sulfation - I have NEVER before seen values so low after a 10Mm-interval. I'm pretty convinced that I need not worry about sludge.
smile.gif

VI dropped from 204 (data sheet) to just 199, but that is probably due to fuel dilution, and not so much due to VII shear.
The proper UOA to compar eagainst would be the Aral Super Tronic 0w-40 - 1st, this OCI was also during the winter; 2nd, he Aral is also a low- to mid-SAPS oil; and 3rd, as a real "vollsynthethisch", that is >80PAO oil, the Aral should be clos to the benchmark in chemical stability.
I do not know what kind og whichcraft Shell is using with the AV-L oil, but it somehow seems to work.

If anything, than fuel dilution is going to limit the interval. Speaking of which, the experiment continues: for the first time, I did not change after 10Mm. I took a sample with a sysinge - and I did not change the oil.
10Mm already is an extended OCI - the factory prescribed 7500km, in severe service even less. A 15Mm-interval would double that. And 20Mm would 267%...

Yesterday, the odometer crossed the 625000km mark. The oil is now 14Mm in the engine. It is sloy getting dark, and oil consumption is starting to creep in. But oil level is sill slightly above the may mark on the dipstick (I overfilled slightly - 4 litres instead of 3.8). I will not use make-up oil in this interval. So, when the dipstick hits min, I shall change the oil, but I will not exceed 20Mm.


For a deeper discussion, see my blog: https://turboseize.wordpress.com/2018/04...tra-av-l-0w-30/
Text is in german, but google translate might help. If it doesn't feel free to ask - I'll do my very best to answer. [/quote]
 
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You've high residual TBN of 6.21, highly shear-stable KV@100 of 11.36 cSt, good sulfation/oxidation numbers, good blotter spot etc.

This C3 VW 504 507 would easily do 20,000 km.
 
I hope so!

There are rumors that AV-L, AB-L and ECT C2/C3 are the same oils (specs on the datasheets are identical - the AV-L has VW approvals, the AB-L has Mercedes, and the ECT C2/C3 has both.)
 
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I've just bought some AJ-L based on your UOA showing this is a good oil where A3/B* was originally specified.
Looking at the tech specs they are identical to ECT, A*-L etc, just varying in manufacturer approval.

I think this is an under-appreciated oil, having a good HTHS and lowish KV100 indicating good base blend,a high VI that stays high that indicates good shear resistance backed by a solid UOA.
 
AV-L is labelled C2/C3. C2 means HTHS >2.9; C3 means HTHS 3.5 or above. So AV-L should sit right at 3.5.
 
Glad that this SHU AVL 0W30 C3 did very well with 19,236 km OCI in an oldie 199x Saab 900 specifying SF.
 
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