A Little Gunk in Oil
04-07-2020, 11:07 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564
TBN (Total Base Number) is how good the oil holds up at an oil change.
Say it starts at a 10 new, at time of oil change it could be 5. This means it still has a protection level still in it and you could extend your oil changes.
The other oil test show wear of the engine and traces of coolant.
As far as your statement about the free test kit, I think you should have told what a test costs.
To many people free is free, no strings attached.
Last edited by Cat Man HHR; 04-07-2020 at 12:22 PM.
04-09-2020, 11:35 AM
#26
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 37,612
I’ve never had the oil tested , always used logic to determine it’s condition, if it’s black and smells sweet , drain it ,check for coolant and check the rad coolant . That type of thing, I haven’t lost an engine yet to strange stuff in the crankcase.
04-18-2020, 09:41 PM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-05-2014
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 2,626
Welp, I went for a couple more 20 mile drives to cook off any condensate in the oil. Coolant temp was stable. Overflow tank level is stable. No more evidence of drips at the pressure cap. No more emulsion on the dipstick.
Took it in for oil change at trusted local garage (no place to do my own right now) and brought my own Castrol Edge 5-30 and Mobile 1 filter, asked them to thoroughly examine the old oil and filter but forgot to ask them to save a sample. It looked fine. Conclusion: it was just a little emulsified condensation, a result of very short trips in cold weather.
New pressure cap is on the list but more of a nuisance than a necessity. Planning on replacing the coolant this Summer.
Will be looking into oil test kits because that’s just too interesting to ignore.
For now, all is well. Need to give some attention to hazy headlights and tail lights.
Thanks, everyone, for all the insightful ideas! Makes owning HHR’s more fun!
Took it in for oil change at trusted local garage (no place to do my own right now) and brought my own Castrol Edge 5-30 and Mobile 1 filter, asked them to thoroughly examine the old oil and filter but forgot to ask them to save a sample. It looked fine. Conclusion: it was just a little emulsified condensation, a result of very short trips in cold weather.
New pressure cap is on the list but more of a nuisance than a necessity. Planning on replacing the coolant this Summer.
Will be looking into oil test kits because that’s just too interesting to ignore.
For now, all is well. Need to give some attention to hazy headlights and tail lights.
Thanks, everyone, for all the insightful ideas! Makes owning HHR’s more fun!
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10-25-2013 12:38 PM