First Oil Change and Blackstone Analysis

[stemplar]

I recently did the first oil change in my 2025 Lariat FX4 with the 2.7 v6 at just under 800 miles. I sent a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis and the report just came in a few minutes ago. I don't know any details about the oil Ford uses for the initial fill, so I just guessed that it was Motorcraft 5w30. I was surprised to find it was really green when I drained it, so I put a comment on the slip of paper that went along with the sample. I was also curious about whether they'd find any indication of coolant making its way to the oil because I did have to add coolant once so far, but I think I was a bit low at delivery and being new I'm not necessarily alarmed with the levels and/or consumption being (just a bit) off. So the report just gave me piece of mind.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share for others who like this kind of stuff.

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[Frank_MCN]

Interesting topic! thanks for posting. So how do YOU feel about or interpret the results? would you say there are a higher amount of wear materials in this sample then you expected or is it inline with what you would have expected?

My Ranger is new and so far just done 350mi, will be doing it's first oil change at 500mi.

 

[Texas Ranger]

….did you watch, “the fastest Indian” and decide to put a multivitamin in your oil?

Your newborn engine seems to be healthy and in good shape.

 

[Frank_MCN]

Well zinc is good for peoples immunity maybe engines too?

 

[Fast Bob]

Not to worry/ the green tint is the black lite dye that is put in the oil to ck for leaks.

 

[stemplar]

Interesting topic! thanks for posting. So how do YOU feel about or interpret the results? would you say there are a higher amount of wear materials in this sample then you expected or is it inline with what you would have expected?

My Ranger is new and so far just done 350mi, will be doing it's first oil change

Interesting topic! thanks for posting. So how do YOU feel about or interpret the results? would you say there are a higher amount of wear materials in this sample then you expected or is it inline with what you would have expected?

My Ranger is new and so far just done 350mi, will be doing it's first oil change at 500mi.

I feel just fine. I'd be lying if I said I had any expectations about just how much copper or silicon I'd see, or anything else really, so usually my first sample of an engine is sort of a baseline to use so I can see how the engine wears as it breaks in.

Those measurements aside, the two things that stood out to me were
(1) the lack of coolant: I was ok accepting that my low level could be attributed to it being new and maybe low from the factory, or mild consumption in a brand new engine, but I also accept that it could be a sign of a bad head gasket or even worse so I just wanted some science to tell me if it was ok or not. And
(2) the oil "viscosity reads like a 5W/20" really surprised me. The truck hasn't seen high ambient temps around here since I bought it, but I'm glad that I have a 5w30 in the engine going into summer. I know many of us have our own religion about oils and even viscosities, but turning our attention to the owner's manual (which some of us also have strong opinions on, if we recall from another thread here) it calls for 5w30 except "in extremely cold climates, where the ambient temperature reaches -22.0 °F (-30 °C) or below" in which case it calls for 0w30. No mention of a 5w20 so it must just be a break-in oil thing, but I'm glad that as I cross the 1000-mile milestone and start doing real work with the truck in summer heat I have the regular 5w30 in. That's just me; I'm not here to proselytize; just share and chat...

 

[stemplar]

….did you watch, “the fastest Indian” and decide to put a multivitamin in your oil?

Your newborn engine seems to be healthy and in good shape.

OMG I LOVE that movie. Seriously, it's a good one; I think I'll have to go watch it again.

But to answer your question, I'm chagrined to say that I've been depriving my engine of its dietary supplements, so I don't expect the truck to be getting me anything fancy for Father's Day this year :-(

 

[stemplar]

Not to worry/ the green tint is the black lite dye that is put in the oil to ck for leaks.

Oh, I could have had fun with a black light in my garage after I splashed drain oil all over the place during the first change! I'll have to bring a black light to the garage when I do the first change in our bronco sport next week.

 

[Stu x 4]

FYI... 3 changes in first 5K for comparison.

 

[stemplar]

FYI... 3 changes in first 5K for comparison.

Interesting; so you put a 5w30 in and your viscosity numbers are low as well, so maybe my factory fill was a 5w30 after all? I don't know, but I do know I'm used to seeing viscosity rise with use; I guess we'll see how my brand of choice holds up over time in this engine.

 

[Stu x 4]

Interesting; so you put a 5w30 in and your viscosity numbers are low as well, so maybe my factory fill was a 5w30 after all? I don't know, but I do know I'm used to seeing viscosity rise with use; I guess we'll see how my brand of choice holds up over time in this engine.

When you look at the Blackstone comments, I asked about viscosity and the TBN they liked. Stayed with the recommended 5w30 with Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 and Motorcraft filter.

What brand of oil did you decide to go with?

 

[stemplar]

When you look at the Blackstone comments, I asked about viscosity and the TBN they liked. Stayed with the recommended 5w30 with Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 and Motorcraft filter.

What brand of oil did you decide to go with?

I used Amsoil Signature Series 5w30 (https://amsoilcontent.com/ams/lit/databulletins/g2880.pdf) which meets Ford's spec WSS-M2C961-A1 and is the recommended viscosity. We'll see how it fares when I have the next analysis done. I share this in the spirit of discussion only, not evangelism of one brand over another.

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