Bypass kit

[CBlack]

So I installed an Amsoil oil bypass kit ~12,000 miles ago. Running RP for the oil.

Just received the report via email and it said this:

"Copper was just a little higher this time
around, and that could show some wear at brass/bronze parts. We're wondering if maybe it has something
to do with the installation of the new by-pass filter. If that's the case, you should see copper drop next oil
change. For now, it doesn't seem to be affecting wear at other parts, so it's just something to keep an eye
on. Insolubles are nice and low (so kudos to your new by-pass), and no contamination was found. Leave
this oil in use and check back in ~2,000 miles. "

Anyone else had high copper once running the bypass, or at least on your first analysis?

Previously, pre-bypass, it had higher than normal potassium, but that leveled out.

Other than the copper it looks good.

 

[KLauber]

So I installed an Amsoil oil bypass kit ~12,000 miles ago. Running RP for the oil.



Just received the report via email and it said this:



"Copper was just a little higher this time

around, and that could show some wear at brass/bronze parts. We're wondering if maybe it has something

to do with the installation of the new by-pass filter. If that's the case, you should see copper drop next oil

change. For now, it doesn't seem to be affecting wear at other parts, so it's just something to keep an eye

on. Insolubles are nice and low (so kudos to your new by-pass), and no contamination was found. Leave

this oil in use and check back in ~2,000 miles. "



Anyone else had high copper once running the bypass, or at least on your first analysis?



Previously, pre-bypass, it had higher than normal potassium, but that leveled out.



Other than the copper it looks good.

Minor variations? I've not seen that before, but will keep an eye out.

 

[AH64ID]

Copper leeching form the oil cooler is common, especially if there were any good tow's in the last sample that would get oil/coolant hot.

Also switching oil brands will cause leeching.

 

[CBlack]

Forgot about putting pics up.

Top

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Bottom Filter

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Top of filter housing against frame

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And just for the heck of it... My F/W Seperator and Fuel Filter on the other frame rail.

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[CBlack]

Per Blackstone's request, I sent in another sample after ~2500 miles.



Just got the results in yesterday afternoon and my copper levels are even higher. Everything else is normal.



The only thing I can think of is the oil passing through the Fumoto drain valve might be causing it? The gent I spoke to thought it could be a bearing of some sort.



Thoughts?



Here is the chart.



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[CBlack]

What they put as a summary:

Copper is quite a bit higher here than it was last time. The good news, though, is that all other
metals still look great, so the copper doesn't seem to be causing any harm. Of course that doesn't give us
an answer as to why copper is reading so high. Some diesel engines randomly produce a lot of copper later
in life. Typically that's only Duramax engines, but who knows? Maybe this Cummins is the exception. Or
maybe a crack or problem with a brass/bronze part, like the oil cooler, is the reason for the metal. For now,
change the oil and check back in a similar interval.

 

[JFought]

i had a high reading of copper then it dropped to

 

[AH64ID]

Have you changed oils or driving styles?

 

[CBlack]

Have you changed oils or driving styles?

I have not. When I bought the truck I changed the oil using Valvoline Premium Blue. Switched to RP the oil change before installing the ByPass and have run it ever since... ~25k.

 

[AH64ID]

It could still be from that switch 25K miles ago. My copper peaked about 20-30K miles after changing oils.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Cblack

Use your return oil line that goes to the valve cover to capture your next oil sample. Drain plug area is not a great place to get a good sample.

 

[CBlack]

It could still be from that switch 25K miles ago. My copper peaked about 20-30K miles after changing oils.

Here's hoping!

I'm going to wait until it hits 120k before doing another sample, then report back.

Cblack

Use your return oil line that goes to the valve cover to capture your next oil sample. Drain plug area is not a great place to get a good sample.

That's what I was going to do this go round. Thanks for the tip!

 

[AH64ID]

I guess I didn't notice you were taking it from the Fumoto. . yeah, not the best spot. I am surprised your other metals aren't higher.

 

[S.Morris]

Changing sample points will not give a representative sample and at least two samples will be required at new sample site (at your mileage interval) to show any trend or change . JMHO

 

[CBlack]

Just received my report from 124,500 mile mark.



The copper continues to increase and the lead went up. What the heck is going on? I'm hoping the peak from changing oil hasn't hit yet, per comments on this thread.

My driving habits haven't changed. I don't race, don't pull, don't tow, and I'm not hard on the truck.



The other thing I noticed, is that the metals started going up after I installed the bypass system. At 91,000 miles I was just changing to RP. At 112,000, the system had been on for 12,000 miles.



From their report:



Copper is clawing its way up in your engine's sample history and it's hard to ignore. At this point, we

can't deny that copper might show a problem since lead (bearings) also increased. We can't blame it on a

longer oil run because copper isn't a metal that tracks with time on the oil; only iron does. Copper could

come from brass/bronze parts like bushings and bearings, so it's something to look further into. For now, the

best thing to do is keep oil runs short and listen for knocking sounds, and inspect the oil cooler for any

problems. Check back in 6K miles on fresh oil.



And the numbers...



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[CBlack]

Here is another report of the same sample, but from Oil Analyzers.

It shows the copper high as well, but lead is zeroed.

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From talking with various people, it seems the oil cooler is the likely culprit.

 

[CBlack]

Just received this yesterday. Only added oil to make up for what was removed with the filter(s). Approx between 35-40k miles on the oil now.