Oil Analysis problem ?

[RonD]

I just received my first Blackstone oil analysis. I know you have to establish a trend, I took the sample mid way into the oil drain, engine hot, etc. I was using Rotella 15-40, this was Rotella 5-40, I had 8500 miles on it, most were towing, this was about 3 months use, the engine has 75000 miles, it runs perfect as far as I can see. All the levels on the Blackstone report were normal or better than normal, the two that concern them, and me are



IRON at 62 Normal is 23

COPPER 20 Normal is 4



What bugs me is these are metals, Iron may be rings, the Copper I don't know because I don't know what the engine parts are made of, this looks a little troublesome in my opinion. I normally do 7500 oil changes, but I was on the road a little longer than expected, when I used 15-40, I did 5000 oil change intervals, any ideas on the two high readings?

 

[steved]

Typically the copper is from the oil cooler leaching... some oils cause higher copper readings than others and as long as your lead (elemental) was low and there was no coolant, its typically not a problem. Copper can also be from some copper-containing sealants.

The iron... I'd re-sample and see if it changes. I would have expected higher levels of other indicator metals, as well as the iron, that would show a problem.

It could be as simple as an erroneous laboratory result.

 

[GaryOwen]

I think you normally get higher readings after switching to synthetic because it cleans out your engine. At least I have read that, and it seems to make sense.

 

[RonD]

I am going to give the complete report, Lear and Coolent are low, as far as cleaning out after switching to syn, that may be the issue, if there is one, thanks



Blackstone test



ALUMINUM 2

CHROMIUM 3

IRON 62

COPPER 20

LEAD 2

TIN 0

MOLYBDENUM 57

NICKEL 1

MANGANESE 1

SILVER 2

TITANIUM 0

POTASSIUM 4

BORON 28

SILICON 5

SODIUM 4

CALCIUM 927

MAGNESIUM 953

PHOSPHORUS 981

ZINC 1213

BARIUM 0



SUS VISCOSITY @210F 80. 9

cST VISCOSITY @100C 15. 76

FLASHPOINT IN F 425

FUEL % <0. 5

ANTIFREEZE % 0. 0

WATER % 0. 0

INSOLUBLES % 0. 6

 

[AH64ID]

Mine always runs a littler higher copper and iron when I tow more. . The higher oil temps from towing will leach copper.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Buffalo]

You might consider posting your problem over at (bobistheoilguy.com) in their used oil analysis (diesel) forum. some pretty smart guys, over there.



Also, there is a guy that advertises on that site (Terry Dyson) that analyzes used oil analysis problems. There is a charge for his services.



If you don't get an answer, here, that you are comfortable with, (BITOG) is another option, for you.



Joe F.

 

[amsoilman]

I am going to give the complete report, Lear and Coolent are low, as far as cleaning out after switching to syn, that may be the issue, if there is one, thanks



Blackstone test



ALUMINUM 2

CHROMIUM 3

IRON 62

COPPER 20

LEAD 2

TIN 0

MOLYBDENUM 57

NICKEL 1

MANGANESE 1

SILVER 2

TITANIUM 0

POTASSIUM 4

BORON 28

SILICON 5

SODIUM 4

CALCIUM 927

MAGNESIUM 953

PHOSPHORUS 981

ZINC 1213

BARIUM 0



SUS VISCOSITY @210F 80. 9

cST VISCOSITY @100C 15. 76

FLASHPOINT IN F 425

FUEL % <0. 5

ANTIFREEZE % 0. 0

WATER % 0. 0

INSOLUBLES % 0. 6

There is nothing listed on this report that I would worry about. Viscosity is still in the middle of the specs for a 40 grade oil, and the additives look good as well as the "insolubles".

If this were my vehicle, I would keep it in for anolther 5-6 thousand, then do another analysis.



Just my opinion,



wayne

amsoilman