API Reports 20% of Bulk Oil is Bad

[@tssci6774]

Just saw your video. I always suspected that bulk oil, that has gone through the distribution chain, multiple tanks, hoses, and finally into the bulk storage at the point of use in dealership or independent shops would contain high amounts of hard particulates. I went to my local dealership. They offered a complimentary oil change after a service. I took them up. I asked for a sample of oil from their 500g storage tank. they dispensed it in the same way it is added to your engine. I then went into the parts department and bought a quart of the same oil. I sent samples off to Polaris labs. They came back very similar in terms of additives, viscosity and TBN but one big difference. The Particle Count (PC) test, which shows the quantity and size of hard particulates, most of which are smaller than what a filter will capture, was shocking. ISO cleanliness results for the bulk oil showed it was 32x more contaminated than the oil in the quart bottle that was formulated and packaged at the point of manufacture. I wonder if the dealership has service level agreement (SLA) with manufacturer that specifies the standard cleanliness of the oil as delivered?

[@wiledmanrandall]

I remember looking in the bottom of API service SH discount brand oil bottles after pouring the oil out into an engine, and seeing black deposits at the bottom. This was back in the late 90's.

[@johnferguson7235]

+Tim Randall Those are additives, probably to reduce friction. Shake the bottle before use.

[@wiledmanrandall]

+John Ferguson Good to know, thank you.

[@Best-Synthetic-Oilscom]

No - quarts, gallons, 2.5 & 5 gallon jugs of a good name-brand oil is not the problem. The problem is the no-name crap that some shops store in huge tanks and dispense through hoses straight into your engine. Ever wonder what you are getting with that $19.99 oil change? 20% chance that it is bad oil.

[@SwingBeepDigItUp]

I have never owned a gas vehicle so the $19.99 oil change has never applied to me. But we have known that you get what you pay for since the dawn of time..

[@SwingBeepDigItUp]

would 2.5 gallon jugs of rotella be considered bulk?

[@winstonledford7153]

cheap oil change is bad.your motor well blow no grade.