Blackstone Report

[Cummins12V98]

Thoughts on this? Nothing has changed other than I think this sample had more towing miles than the others.

 

[Tuesdak]

Intake dust leak. Dirt is dusting the rings and oil filter is catching it before it hits the bearings.

Remote chance but I would expect to see more metal from a engine overspeed due to the slipping transmission failure you had.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The trans did get VERY hot so much so it discolored the converter. The engine rear seal looked good. I wonder if there may have been enough heat transferred to the engine to cause some wear. I did notice the lower clamp was not tight on the air intake where it clamps too the turn. So I that may explain things. The turbo looked clean but that means nothing. Yea I know if I didn't change oil from the top the clamp would not be loose.

RPM's never got high with the trans failing.

 

[Cummins12V98]

 

[AH64ID]

You’ve had high silicone for a few changes, likely from dirt ingestion but hard to prove. The clamp could be the culprit this time, but what causes it previously? Especially that 66 reading after only 8200 miles.

The iron is about 30% higher than your last sample, but that’s not abnormal for the a longer interval.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You’ve had high silicone for a few changes, likely from dirt ingestion but hard to prove. The clamp could be the culprit this time, but what causes it previously? Especially that 66 reading after only 8200 miles.

The iron is about 30% higher than your last sample, but that’s not abnormal for the a longer interval.

I change my air filter at 15k along with fuel and oil with Mopar or Fleetguard air filters.

I would guess my other changes were 1/3 -1/2 towing miles but this last one was around 3/4 towing. Think that would effect metals?

 

[AH64ID]

That shouldn’t effect the metals or silicone too much, but could account for the approx 30% increase in wear metals. See what the next one looks like.

 

[Cummins12V98]

That shouldn’t effect the metals or silicone too much, but could account for the approx 30% increase in wear metals. See what the next one looks like.

I think I will take a sample thru the 1/8" pipe plug on top of the oil filter housing at 6k.

 

[gsbrockman]

Very unusual, @Cummins12V98

 

[Cummins12V98]

Very unusual, @Cummins12V98

Agreed. With every report being good then this.

Three things different. Loose intake hose, overheated trans and more towing miles per change.

 

[gsbrockman]

Agreed. With every report being good then this.

Three things different. Loose intake hose, overheated trans and more towing miles per change.

Do you record the idle hours and drive hours every oil change as well? If so....it’d be interesting to see the total hours for that interval.

 

[AH64ID]

You’ve had higher iron the last 3 samples, but the last sample has more miles than the previous two. The silicone from 2019 is the most alarming thing I see.

Too bad Blackstone doesn’t show you oxidation, as that would tell you if the oil is being overworked.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Cummins12v98 did you change the brand or type of oil at 60K?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Cummins12v98 did you change the brand or type of oil at 60K?

No, same oil since new.

GS, that's a great idea I never thought of that!!!

AH64ID, I forgot I did run the last two less miles. Looks like I basically changed at one year intervals.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The air filter housing and intake tube all look good. Don't think my lower band clamp being loose this change had much of anything to do with this issue. Something sure did change between the 18 and 19 reports!!!

From 2018 report

Metals are steady or improved over last time, which is a healthy trend since this was a similar oil run. These levels also compare well against what the average 6.7L ISB puts up after 15,000 miles of oil use, so yours still isn't showing any sign of a wear-related problem. The viscosity is a little thick, and judging by the appearance of the oil (it was very dark), that may be due to soot accumulation.No fuel or coolant was found, and the TBN is strong at4.6. If out of warranty, you might try 16,000 miles, but do check back to make sure the viscosity doesn't get out of hand.


From 2019 report

Silicon could be from harmless sealers, but it can also show up in our test as abrasive dirt. Check your air filter and inspect the induction system for cracks. Chrome is from piston rings and iron is from steel parts like the crankshaft and cylinder walls.We would expect a bigger decrease to iron after a shorter oil interval, but since it largely stayed the same it suggests something is causing extra wear, which could be abrasive dirt. Do a shorter interval and check back for improvements.


From 2020 report

Iron is still elevated, but it's stable on a ppm/mile basis, so while there's still some extra steel wear going on it's at least remaining consistent.Silicon is significantly lower than it was last year, and we'll just look for that improvement to continue from here. The rest of the wear metals are appropriate to a run of 6,600 miles. The viscosity was correct, and there wasn't any significant contamination.The TBN was still strong at 3.0. Stick to this interval as we see where iron goes.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

No, same oil since new.

GS, that's a great idea I never thought of that!!!

AH64ID, I forgot I did run the last two less miles. Looks like I basically changed at one year intervals.

Calcium and magnesium in the formulation changed in '18. Was it possibly a different oil specification? Formulation changes do not occur usually without a specification change. The zinc level appears constant and is a bit confusing to me. Perhaps some of the other oil Guru's will enlighten me? Before I left the industry the song was that TBN without TAN was one eye blind.

 

[Tuesdak]

If you still have high silicone in the next sample, and I would sample early, it's time to smoke test the entire intake and engine. We had one backhoe engine that had a valve cover crack. After a couple of rounds with the OEM: not only did they warranty it, but, they revised the valve covers so they wouldn't crack.

On second thought I wouldn't wait. This may be a warranty claim - have dealer find dust leak. If dealer can't ... well it's documented if it progresses and warranty gets near the end.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am near warranty end of this month. I will take all this info to the dealer. My Son and his friend that have a 15 and 16 HO both say my engine does not sound right. I know their Mechanic and will talk to him first!

 

[gsbrockman]

I am near warranty end of this month. I will take all this info to the dealer. My Son and his friend that have a 15 and 16 HO both say my engine does not sound right. I know their Mechanic and will talk to him first!

Hopefully....they won’t balk at you with those two (1) year interval oil changes.

 

[Tuesdak]

Hopefully....they won’t balk at you with those two (1) year interval oil changes.

You mean the annual oil sample program with the 6 month oil change they have been doing?