Walmart Supertech oil

Soundguy · Dec 3, 2004

( My question to you is "how do you know when it's clean?" )

When i did the oil flushes.. I allowed for a few hours of run time inbetween flushes.. so If I put oil in in the morning.. then went and ran the tractor for a few hours, and then checke dthe dipstick and it was dark again.. I changed it again. Like I said.. My JD B got 5 oil changes in a week. The last oil change had no appreciable color change after a few hours of running.

This is a bit more problematic for diesels though, as disolved and sedimented soot is virtually impossible to flush out completely.. and just a very little bit of soot will turn new oil dark FAST, without hurting it.

Soundguy

fishman · Dec 3, 2004

I agree John. I didn't have a new oil filter when I changed it so I figured I'd run it a few times during duck season /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and then do my regularly scheduled change with new filter next month.

fishman · Nov 16, 2005

I dug up my old post here because I finally tested the oil for my Chevy pickup on 11/6/05. I've run about 5 changes through the system and decided now was the time to test it. Here are the details:

Wal-Mart Supertech 5W30 oil
Wal-Mart Supertech oil filter
4,474 miles on the oil, about 1/3 towing or hauling something
no make-up oil required
GM 5.3 liter gas V-8 with 99,518 miles on the engine

First number is my oil, second number is "universal average" for my type of engine averaging 5,135 miles on the oil. All are ppm.

Aluminum 1, 5
Chromium 0,2
Iron 5, 26
Copper 6,79
Lead 2, 9
Tin 0,2
Molybdenum 28,35
Nickel 0,1
Manganese 0,2
Silver 0,0
Titanium 0,0
Potassium 0,1
Boron 130,63
Silicon 7,13
Sodium 1,9
Calcium 1720,1436
Magnesium 8,538
Phosphorus 598,852
Zinc 716,1031
Barium 0,0

SUS viscosity @210 F 56.5, 56-63 is normal
Flashpoint in degrees F 385, greater than 365 is normal
Fuel % less than .5%, less than 2% is normal
Antifreeze 0%, less than 0% is normal
Water 0%, less than .1% is normal
Insolubles .3%, less than .6 % is normal

In the comments section, the technician wrote:
Wal Mart Super Tech is the oil I use too. It does an excellent job for a petroleum based oil and you can't beat the price. It is certainly working nicely for your 5.3L engine. Universal averages sho typical wear metals for an oil from this type of engine after about 5,135 miles run on the oil. Your oil was in use fewer miles, and we found all wear far below average levels and in the correct balance to show normal mechanical parts inside. Air and lil filtration appear normal. This was 5w/30 engine oil with no gass or anti-freeze in it. The TBN was 2.5, still okay.

So from what I can tell, in a nutshell all of the high numbers are additives to the oil to make it better. All of the elements that indicate wear, like iron, copper, and lead are present in very low concentrations. So it looks like my engine is running properly with no antifreeze leaks or fuel system problems. I infer from the low wear that my engine is in better than average condition and thus should last longer than average. It also looks as though Wal Mart Supertech oil is a good oil.

I guess my only question is whether a TBN of 2.5 means I can wait a little longer to drain my oil or not. Is that good? I know our resident oil guy Mike will have an opinion! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SkyPup · Nov 16, 2005

You've got to be kidding, who says a TBN of 2.5 is good??? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

It means the oil is completely crapped out! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

dmccarty · Nov 16, 2005

Fishman,

The Blackstone labs website, Blackstone Labs on TBN, says, ( A low test result, meaning very little additive is left, is down around 2. )

So me thinks it was past time to change. My TBN after 7,000 miles, I think it was close to 8,000 miles as still above 10. I just sent in a sample so I'll see what the report says. I'm using Shell 5wx40 synthetic in a diesel. Blackstone says that the TBN in gas engine oil starts around 8 or 9. For diesel the oil is starts around 11 or 12. Sounds like you used up most of the additive in the oil.

Later,
Dan

kenmac · Nov 16, 2005

I haven't seen Mike post in a while.With a TBN of 2.5 you may want to change your oil alot sooner. Do you know what the TBN of the supertech oil was when new ?

fishman · Nov 17, 2005

Thanks all. It sounds like I should be draining my oil a little sooner. I'll try it at 4k miles. I don't know what the TBN was of the oil when new, but Mike did post the other numbers earlier in this thread.

I'm going to test my 2000 Impala next. It has about 4k on the oil right now and we'll see what the data shows. I know it's an apples and oranges comparison, but it will be interesting none the less.

kenmac · Nov 17, 2005

Just for your info. I tried supertech full synthetic oil in my gasoilin pick up. I went 4000 miles on the oil & had it tested (I used this oil b-4 Mike educated me that all syn. oils are not the same) The oil was trash @ 4000miles.Haven't used supertech sense.

SkyPup · Nov 18, 2005

Too much, any decent synthetic should easily go 10,000-12,000 miles or 200 hours of use. Sounds like the SuperTech is as bad as the Castrol. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

HEC · Nov 18, 2005

The deparment manager at wal mart stated that their oil is from Quaker State.I didn't know Castrol syn. oil was no good , I just bought some for my car, should I take it back???? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif