Effect of soot build up in oil ? (Diesel)
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:22 pm
I have touched on this previously. As I gather oil change on Diesel Bongo is officially 6 months, which in my mind seems somewhat excessive and I have never really heard of such a short interval in my life as a motorist.(Though I never drove diesels before Bongo) Do tell me I am totally wrong and that it is a very standard diesel service interval mind you.
I do our oil approx every 12 months and the oil filter every 2 changes as I only do 4,000 - 5,000 miles per year.
I suspect there are a quite a few low mileage people on here who do something similar given what I have read.
However I am starting to think that 12 months even with a high end oil and low miles (Magnatec semi synth) might not be ideal, especially with a oil filter change every 2 years. I am going to revise this filter change to every 1 year as well, even though it will have only done 4-5K miles and could do 10K. I have read that newer oils are better and maintain their protecting qualities for longer. I do wonder about the effects of soot build up in the oil though.
My concern is that on an old diesel that there must be a lot of soot build up in said oil (probably turning almost into a heavily laden slurry of black paste). It comes out extremely thick and pure black, normal I know for even petrol after 1 year but I think it comes out so unbelieveably loaded with soot I have concerns. I don't suppose the qualities of the oil have diminished over 1 year at least in the detergents and lubricity (over 4-5K miles) but do wonder what a detrimental effect the soot particles might have, and if these could make oil deteriorate quicker.
Beginners question : Is an engine oil filter mean to to filter soot or mainly just engine filings (bits of swaff/metal particles from wear) ?
This is a bit heavy going but has some good info (I think it eludes to some soot improving lubricity initially in the highlights, but goes on to say it is damaging):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 4813002810
Now the question is..should a low mileage driver use cheaper oils (Say 2 x 4L load of Halfords when on offer) and chage oil twice a year or use
something like 2 x 4L Magnatec once a year.
In an ideal world we would all change oil and filter twice a year, but given cost and time many do not. I suppose you can do an oil change with filter for between £34 and £50.00 (8L oil total required and a filter) if you buy when offers are on and depending on oil brand. Plus the time it takes. I do my own oil but it is a bit hassle-y with 2 cars to service so doing Bongo twice is not really something I am super keen on. (You have to do the job and then get rid of the oil down the refuse dump)
But if it means there would be a big difference in engine wear then I would obviously. My question is how much does this matter and can we do anything better than guess ? I have no specifically noticed a problem. Could particle load in a diesel reduce engine power ? How would particle loading in the oil manifest as an actual problem ?
In any event I am going to up the oil filter change to every time I do the oil.
I do our oil approx every 12 months and the oil filter every 2 changes as I only do 4,000 - 5,000 miles per year.
I suspect there are a quite a few low mileage people on here who do something similar given what I have read.
However I am starting to think that 12 months even with a high end oil and low miles (Magnatec semi synth) might not be ideal, especially with a oil filter change every 2 years. I am going to revise this filter change to every 1 year as well, even though it will have only done 4-5K miles and could do 10K. I have read that newer oils are better and maintain their protecting qualities for longer. I do wonder about the effects of soot build up in the oil though.
My concern is that on an old diesel that there must be a lot of soot build up in said oil (probably turning almost into a heavily laden slurry of black paste). It comes out extremely thick and pure black, normal I know for even petrol after 1 year but I think it comes out so unbelieveably loaded with soot I have concerns. I don't suppose the qualities of the oil have diminished over 1 year at least in the detergents and lubricity (over 4-5K miles) but do wonder what a detrimental effect the soot particles might have, and if these could make oil deteriorate quicker.
Beginners question : Is an engine oil filter mean to to filter soot or mainly just engine filings (bits of swaff/metal particles from wear) ?
This is a bit heavy going but has some good info (I think it eludes to some soot improving lubricity initially in the highlights, but goes on to say it is damaging):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 4813002810
Now the question is..should a low mileage driver use cheaper oils (Say 2 x 4L load of Halfords when on offer) and chage oil twice a year or use
something like 2 x 4L Magnatec once a year.
In an ideal world we would all change oil and filter twice a year, but given cost and time many do not. I suppose you can do an oil change with filter for between £34 and £50.00 (8L oil total required and a filter) if you buy when offers are on and depending on oil brand. Plus the time it takes. I do my own oil but it is a bit hassle-y with 2 cars to service so doing Bongo twice is not really something I am super keen on. (You have to do the job and then get rid of the oil down the refuse dump)
But if it means there would be a big difference in engine wear then I would obviously. My question is how much does this matter and can we do anything better than guess ? I have no specifically noticed a problem. Could particle load in a diesel reduce engine power ? How would particle loading in the oil manifest as an actual problem ?
In any event I am going to up the oil filter change to every time I do the oil.