Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) abnormal oil analysis

[waterdonkey]

Hello all,

New to TDR and the very first post well here goes.

Got my first oil analysis back with a high Silicon level of 22 ppm. Lab states that the high levels suggest that it is not from silica (dirt) because of low wear rates. Lab questions a silicone sealant or gasket material may be present. What would introduce silicone to the oil. This sample is from the second oil change not the factory fill. The oil is DELO 15W-40 with 5100 miles on the oil and 8000 total miles on the engine. Is this typical with a new engine? The lab is Herguth in Vallejo, CA



Thanks, waterdonkey





TBN 9. 52

Vis 13. 46

Soot <0. 1

Oxidation 8

Water <0. 1

Sulfination 5

% fuel < 2. 0

% glycol <. 10

Iron 36ppm

Al <1

Cr 2

Copper 12

Lead 3

Tin 2

Nickel <1

Silver <1

Silicon 22

Sodium 5

Boron <1

Zinc 1541

Phos 1314

Calcium 3251

Mag 8

Barium <1

Molybdenum <1

Vanadium <1

 

[John Berger]

You might want to investigate your air filter as a possible source.

 

[Ram4Sam]

oil report

Wd, silicone can read high in a new engine because of the silicone content in new gaskets and sealants.



http://www.blackstone-labs.com/report_explanation.html



Sam

 

[jlccc]

Re: oil report

Originally posted by Ram4Sam

Wd, silicone can read high in a new engine because of the silicone content in new gaskets and sealants.



Sam

Here is another good link from the same site.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/talk_about_oils.html

 

[WeirCummin]

I wouldn't sweat your analysis, looks like your engine has not even had chance to break in yet. Looking at your % of fuel @ 2. 0 and iron @ 36ppm, I'd say that your rings haven't even seated. Other than the Silicon and copper your analysis looks like mine W/44K and alot of abuse. I would check the air filtering system for leakage, it mite help you sleep better at night.



Dean

 

[Riflesmith]

Your analysis looks fine. The only abnormal number is the silicon. As has been stated, you should check your air filtration for air getting past the filter without going through it. It has been known to happen with stock air boxes. The source could be silicone sealant used during engine assembly as well.



Since your truck is new the silicon number could also be from casting sand. Changing your oil frequently during the first 10-15,000 miles will get rid of it.



I do not think you have any reason to worry.

 

[redram]

Your oil analysis is normal and you have nothing to fret / worry / lose sleep about. This type of oil analysis is called spectrographic and derives all of those numbers from just a couple drops of oil burned on a graphite wheel arced witha graphite staff. The intensity of the light spectrum is then interpretted by a computer model into the ppm (parts per million) of the elements.



Thsi type of oil analysis only 'sees' the 0-10 micron particles in the oil. For reference, the normal size that a human eye is able to discern is 40 microns. So you're talking about very very small particles and at 22 ppm of silicon, this is not high anyways.



I'm a certified OMA with the STLE. (Oil Monitoring Analyst - Society of Tribologist and Lubrication Engineers)



Oo. Oo.



redram tdr 00139

 

[waterdonkey]

Thank you all for the replies. I will see what the next analysis shows.

 

[Midnite]

You haven't used a Fram oil filter on your engine, have you?



From what I recall, Fram oil filters are a no-no on Cummins B series engines because under high oil pressure conditions, silicone sealant used in the filter can disintegrate and cruise around inside the engine. Engine failures attributed to disintegrating Fram oil filters (that I've read about anyway) were because some of that silicone crap clogged one of the nozzles that sprays oil on the underside of the pistons in order to cool them.



I hadn't seen that possibility thrown out yet, so I thought I'd do it.



Mike

 

[waterdonkey]

No FRAM filters here.



OEM in the airbox

Fleetguard Stratapore for the fuel and oil