I sent Pennzoil a copy of my oil analysis, & surprisingly received a quick response.
I wanted their take on the fuel dilution issue, & advised them that I was going to take them up on their 400,000 kilometer warranty offer.
They seemed to consider 5% fuel dilution a condition that would still be safe, not as a Shell standpoint but on personal experience.
See attached reply:
Good morning Calvin,
Here is this answer received by the out lube support team.
In our LubeAnalyst system, we do not have Boron warning limits for Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil as this is only present in the additive package as a dispersant. Boron does come with some anti-wear properties, but the main surface active anti-wear additive metals present in Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 are Zinc and Phosphorous, which appear to be fine in the oil analysis provided by the customer.
You can see that the Zn and P levels have all dropped significantly from the fresh oil, indicating they are doing their job in forming tribofilms around the engine.
We would not be worried about the fuel dilution levels currently, but a rough figure of 5% would be a good number to take action in future.
This is not a limit that Shell provide, this is an experience based level.
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From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
CC:
Sent:
27.03.19 19:09:13
Subject:
Pennzoil Platinum Used oil analysis
I recently purchased a new 2018 F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine, in May of 2018.
I have been changing oil at early oil change intervals (IOLM showing 60-80% oil life remaining) due to fuel dilution.
Are there any limits to additive depletion, that I should be monitoring?
Fuel dilution issues were as high as 8.47% with the factory installed engine oil when it was changed out at 3904 kilometers.
Oil was replaced with a synthetic Canadian Tire branded oil, for the next 3 OCI
I decided to switch to an oil that is labelled "redesigned for modern turbocharged engines", & a Dexos 1, Gen 2 approved oil, at 17626 kilometers.
I am currently using your PP 5W-30 and have completed 3 oil changes now with this oil.
On my oil analysis it appears that additives have dropped out on a relatively short OCI.
Should I worry about Boron levels being depleted to 58% of the new oil specifications? They flagged it as lower reportable.
This is the first oil analysis completed while using your oil shown at 27866 kilometers, but the previous oil change was also PP 5W-30 when oil was changed at 22516 kilometers, & first oil change with your product was at 17626 kilometers.
I contacted Ford (dealer, & corporate) about the first oil change & the fuel dilution I had, (fluidlife) & they will not do anything unless a check engine light comes on. They will not tell me what a safe level for fuel dilution is. I am changing my oil based on a severe operating conditions, but I do not drive under severe conditions. Most of my driving is at highway speeds, & I do not idle for extended periods.
I have committed to using your oil to take advantage of your 10 year engine warranty up to 400,000 kilometers.
I thought you might be interested in a copy of my oil analysis
See attached.
Thanks
Calvin Lamb