1997 850 NA - Switched to Pennzoil 5W-40

[xHeart]

Engine starting after fuel pump relay replacement is now normal, hence, back to our goal of 12-months with Euro 5W-40 without oil change.
Battery after overnight street parking show 12.05V. The engine turns quickly - there is no hesitation or shaking at start due to extreme cold.
The oil appears translucent golden-brown at the filler -- not dirty. Looks even over the dipstick with no streak of dark substance.

Does it mean 20 years of engine dirt has settled in oil pan?

[misha]

12.05v at battery terminals seems pretty low.Of course....it is temperature dependant:

E38_Battery_SOC_Table.jpg (156.85 KiB) Viewed 2453 times

[abscate]

XHeart probably at 5-10F courtesy of Canadian air mass at present...

[misha]

Whatever....it's around 30%.According to the table it's almost discharged.

I wonder how it even cranks with voltage that low.X-heart says that engine turns quickly.In that case i would say that multimeter reading is incorrect....or it was 12.5v instead of 12.05v.

[xHeart]

Here is a follow up to the oil and filter change a year later - close to 10,000 miles.

FWIW: I keep a full set of 6 bottles on the shelf.
After switching to 5W-40 March 2016, the loss of oil was such that it used all 6 bottles during the course of 12 months.

No issue with oil an filter change, but close to 3 table spoons of fine particles mixed with oil were found at the bottom of drain pan -- unique to this oil change experience. The fine particle covered the blue gloves during cleaning.

Any thoughts on the state of PCV -- It was overhauled in 2010-11?

[misha]

One year and 10k miles oil change interval of city driving is too looooong interval!City stop and go driving and short trips makes engine oil more diluted with petrol than driving on highway.More diluted-the thinner it becomes.Thinner oil=higher oil consumption.
6 months is more propriate for your driving habbits.
1 year and 10k miles interval is for extra urban driving.

[abscate]

10k is too long but he did replace the entire crankcase over that period, so his oil is relatively fresh.

Thats a small amount of gunk , not to worry about that. That could be a single chunk of something that got loose in the pan and then pulverized. Watch at next oil change. The oil filter will catch the small stuff that threatens beatings, the strainer catches the big stuff

[xHeart]

Arriving at 2nd 12-month oil and filter change cycle. I used the 9 out of 10 1 Liter bottle to make up for oil loss.

I'm rating switch to Pennzoil Euro 5W-40 a complete success. Reliable cold start after -30º morning temps -- zero issues. Runs exceptionally well for her age.

Many thanks!

[scot850]

I do mostly city driving with my 2000 V70R. Car does cold starts but I do use the block heater if it is -20C or below. I use Castrol Edge 5W-40 and car doesn't seem to use much at all. As the oil capacity is about 6 (?) liters with a filter change, you are burning 50% of the oil between changes is that correct?

Neil.

[xHeart]

Same- urban life. The 50% is correct Neil. It burns 3 liter during the course of 12 months. I used to do three (every Apr, Aug, Dec) oil and filter change before switching.

Love the feel after engine is warmed up.