[Gary-16-Xc90]

Thanks for posting, @Ultrarunner511. I have not tried a dual comparison against analyzers, but here is my latest Blackstone report. For my purposes, Blackstone has done well for me.

My T8 definitely has more fuel dilution, but my last report below is much better. FWIW, I had the PCV replaced proactively in Dec. 2023. I was coming off of the extended service contract. I did not want to deal with PCV issues that some early T6 owners reported having. (Dealer agreed after looking at The PCV, plus the cost was covered by myextended service contract, ver. 2015.) Edit: I am also driving on longer mileage trips, such as 300 miles RT rather than the local 20 mile trips.

I am not sure whether replacing the PCV improved my oil and resulting analysis. (I want to think it did. ) Has anyone else with a T6 or T8 had any favorable results in the oil analysis - post-PCV replacement. (BTW: Having an aviation background causes me to want to do oil analyses periodically.)

 

[Gary-16-Xc90]

Wow that’s really interesting. The fuel dilution is crazy in yours! Did you do the analysis before 45k miles? The iron and aluminum are relatively high at that time. Based on my experience with the T6’s/B6, that level of critical metals should level out way before 45k miles. I’m wondering if an A5/B5 5w30 would do better.

I had done A LOT of short trips especially leading up to the 45K mile oil change which I think was my first oil analysis. (I will check, though, and update here.)

Thanks again for starting this thread, and [these] discussions have been quite educational. Here are some noteworthy items:

• Miles: My T8's ICE does not run nearly as often as the the T6s . Simply guessing, I could have 25K-35K on ICE which might explain some of the critical metals being higher at 45K than say comparable T8s. It would be interesting if others who have T8s/Recharge could share their perspectives for comparison purposes. I can ask Blackstone if their comparisons are specifically for the T8/Recharge models.
• Fuel Dilution: On my next oil change, I will send two samples to both vendors for comparison purposes.
• MY16 T8, not a T6: Another poster noted that the MY16s had engines with oil problems. For distinction purposes, the T8 had a newer engine model for US-destined T8s e.g., Oct. 2015+ Builds) than the T6s. My T8 was not covered by the TJ due to engine type and serial numbers. (This is why I wish MY16 T8s are not mixed in with MY16 T6s ... another story).
• Cold Climate: Living in central MN means a qualifying 0w20w [viscosity] oil which I use all year round. I drive 5K-7K in a calendar year.
• Oil Specs: I follow the Volvo recommended specs for my MY16 T8 that offers 0w20w grade oil.

Nonetheless, carry-on as I am learning, and aware of, a lot more than I knew before.

[edits in brackets]

 

[Gary-16-Xc90]

For those of us who live and drive in [cold] climates 🥶 where OAT (i.e., outside air temperature) commonly swings between [-30F and +30F during the wintertime], are you using Castrol Pro V 0w20w and do you change over to 5w30w in the summertime? I run 0w20w year-round.

Would a common geographical reference, or average OATs, for each referenced vehicle give more context to the oil analyses for comparison purposes?

P.S., I bracketed the values since hot climates are equally important. 🥵