What Adding BOOST Did Do To Our Motor Oil (NA vs BOOST Test)

Summary

In this video, Lake, the 'motor oil geek,' explores the impact of Boost on engine oil by comparing oil samples taken from an engine running naturally aspirated (NA) and under Boost. He demonstrates how increasing Boost leads to higher fuel dilution, reducing oil viscosity and causing more wear on engine components. Lake emphasizes the importance of using the right oil viscosity and running the engine at appropriate temperatures to maintain optimal performance and longevity. The video highlights the significance of oil analysis in making informed decisions about oil change intervals and engine maintenance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Boosting an engine increases fuel dilution in the oil, which lowers the viscosity and increases engine wear.
• 😀 Higher levels of boost require a higher viscosity oil to protect the engine from increased wear due to fuel dilution.
• 😀 A 5W30 oil may not be suitable for high boost applications, as it fails to maintain viscosity under extreme conditions.
• 😀 Engine wear increases with higher boost and fuel dilution, as demonstrated by increased iron and copper levels in the oil analysis.
• 😀 Letting the engine idle between power runs helps maintain oil and water temperatures, reducing water condensation in the oil.
• 😀 When running high boost, the oil temperature needs to be higher to prevent water from accumulating in the oil.
• 😀 Water contamination can occur when the engine is run too cold, as it prevents water from evaporating during combustion.
• 😀 Oil analysis provides valuable insights into how an engine is performing and helps optimize oil selection and operating conditions.
• 😀 Different oil viscosities (e.g., 15W40, 10W30, 5W30) respond differently to boost, affecting engine performance and wear.
• 😀 The engine’s oil needs to be adjusted based on its specific use case, with drag racing or boosted engines requiring thicker oils to ensure proper protection.

Q & A

How does boost affect motor oil?

Boost increases the amount of air entering the engine, which in turn requires more fuel for complete combustion. Some of this fuel fails to vaporize fully and mixes into the oil, leading to fuel dilution. This dilution reduces the viscosity of the oil, which increases wear on engine components.

What happens to the oil when the engine is running naturally aspirated (NA)?

When the engine runs naturally aspirated, the oil maintains its viscosity better, as there is less fuel dilution. The oil remains effective at protecting the engine, and wear metals like iron and copper are within acceptable levels, as the engine is not under the high stress of boosting.

Why does fuel dilution increase when the engine is boosted?

As the engine is boosted, more fuel is required to match the higher air intake for complete combustion. However, not all of this fuel vaporizes, and some ends up in the oil, leading to an increase in fuel dilution.

How does viscosity affect engine wear?

Viscosity is crucial for protecting engine components. When the viscosity of the oil decreases due to fuel dilution, it cannot lubricate as effectively, which leads to increased wear on parts like pistons and bearings.

Why is water present in the oil during boosted engine runs?

Water is a byproduct of combustion and is normally vaporized during engine operation. However, when the engine is running at lower temperatures or not idling between runs, water can condense and appear in the oil. This is more noticeable during high-boost runs due to the engine's increased load.

What oil viscosity was used during the initial non-boosted runs, and how did it perform?

A 15W-40 oil was used during the non-boosted (NA) runs. Despite some fuel dilution, the oil maintained a good viscosity and performed well, with acceptable wear levels. The engine's specific configuration, such as its aluminum rods, also contributed to the slightly higher copper levels, which was not a concern.

What was the impact of switching to a 5W-30 oil during boosted runs?

Switching to a 5W-30 oil resulted in a significant reduction in viscosity, which compounded the issue of fuel dilution. This led to increased wear, with iron levels rising to 75 parts per million and copper levels also increasing. The lower viscosity oil was not sufficient to handle the high boost levels.

How does running the engine at different temperatures impact oil performance?

Running the engine colder, especially during non-boosted or lower boost runs, can cause more water to condense in the oil. In contrast, running the engine warmer allows water to evaporate, preventing it from contaminating the oil. Proper temperature management helps maintain oil effectiveness.

What lessons were learned from the oil analysis results?

The key takeaway from the oil analysis was that higher viscosity oil is necessary for boosted engines, as the increase in fuel dilution and engine load lowers the oil's viscosity. The results also highlighted the importance of running the engine at a warmer temperature to avoid issues like water contamination in the oil.

Why is it important to run the right viscosity oil in a boosted engine?

Running the correct viscosity oil ensures that the oil can effectively lubricate the engine components, even under high stress. When the oil is too thin, due to fuel dilution or incorrect viscosity, it fails to protect the engine, leading to increased wear and potential damage.