XR you have a very different driving style, and your not running insane levels of boost. I've been moving oil since i installed the trifecta tune at 5000 miles. It was droplets in the intake, after hard track days, getting the oil over 200C. The volatility absolutely comes into play. Mobile one 5-30w is what i've been running, i have no doubt that amsoil would not mist up as easily. I dont use a catch can for performance, its a such a slow amount of oil making to through the PCV it wouldn't give you detonation. (Unless PCV system failure then it will cause detonation!)
I use the catch can to catch oil cause i get a quart an oil change in the intake. To say that it doesn't happen on a healthy cruze is ridiculous even with amsoil. I can see if your eco driving any cruze it won't move oil, but once you start heating up the oil and running 22+ psi boost the story changes.
I'll do this XR, I'll measure how much i catch with M1, and change it to Amsoil for 2 oil changes, and compare collection difference.
Also lots of cruze owners run catch cans, you should know this as MOD of Cruze talk. And yes you will argue that their PCV systems aren't working properly. But i know that mine and other High output cruzes do have their PCV systems in working order and have pulled their hair out over many nights trying to figure out why they get oil droplets pooling in the throttle body. In a track day i can fill the catch can, a cold month in winter i wont move a drop...
See various catch can cruzes below
2011 Holden Cruze SRIV – Elite Cruzes
Let's see, driving style. The 15,622 mile run (which you can see an analysis of in the 1.4T subforum of Powertrain), had:
- WOT runs for datalogging and testing various Trifecta tunes
- Several hundred WOT runs for datalogging BNR tunes
- Short trips and constant runs to redline
I've towed my 14 foot boat to the lake and back 2-3 days a week for all of summer and fall for the last 2 years. I occasionally tow a 5x8 uhaul trailer, have towed a 5x9 open trailer, and on some occasions towed a fully loaded trailer (estimate about 1500-2000 pounds) against a moderate headwind for an hour straight, sustaining 3-4psi of boost for minutes on end on perfectly flat road.
The engine hits redline every time I go out, and sustains levels of boost for extended periods.
Now, I'm not hitting the same boost levels you are, partly because I can make more power at lower boost levels with my BNR tune than I did with the Trifecta tune I had before it, but the point I'm making is that my vehicle operates in boost for substantially more of my driving than your average Cruze owner.
Now, you know how much oil I had to add during that 15,622 mile run? Absolutely none. I put 4.75 quarts in the engine when I filled it up to barely pass the full mark, and I did not add anything until I drained it, even when I replaced the filter at 7,500 miles. With a PROPERLY functioning Cruze, even under hard tuned driving conditions, the engine will not consume a measurable amount of oil. Maybe it's the oil I'm using and the fact that it remains stable and maintains its volatility and thermo-oxidation specifications throughout its service life; I couldn't tell you since nobody can afford to send oil out for those kinds of tests. I'm on my 3rd change with AMSOIL Signature Series. First was 15,622, second was 8,255 (dealer drained it when they replaced the oil pan gasket), and the current run has about 6,500 miles on it. I will repeat, I have never had to add oil to my engine.
Now, I will acknowledge that even I find oil droplets pooling in the throttle body, and I will maintain that there exists some amount of seepage at the turbo seals, but that the actual amount of oil being ingested by the engine is, for practical purposes, inconsequential.
Please don't take my response as accusatory or attacking; my technical responses are always blunt and the tone can sometimes be perceived as abrasive. Just assume you're listening to Spock. I present what I believe to be the facts. Doesn't mean I can't be wrong.
Which amsoil will have the lowest volatility, which would you recommend for my catch can test. (If it doesn't fill the can at all i'll buy you a beer)
AMSOIL Signature Series 10W-30 has the lowest volatility, if you do not plan to operate at temperatures under 0F (-17c). Since you're in Canada, however, I would expect you to need a 5W-30, if not a 0W-30.
AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 has a NOACK volatility of 7.5%, and the 0W-30 comes in at 8.4%. Both are lower than Mobil 1's (assuming you aren't using EP, and are at 5W-30) 10.1%.
Conveniently, there's an AMSOIL distribution center in Edmonton, at 14328-121A Ave. Edmonton, AB T5L 2T2. Shoot me a PM, and for this specific occasion, I'll get you wholesale pricing on it. If you
don't see a reduction in oil in your catch can, I owe
you a beer.