Help!!! Scary oil analysis #

[Ninearrow]

Just received oil analysis from last oil change. Iron was 109!

Everything else looks ok.
Alum 7. Copper 2. Lead 2. All other wear metals 0.

Silicon 7. Fuel <. 5% Water <. 1%

Engine had 37174 mi at change. I changed oil at 5000 mi for 1st 3 intervals and then at 7500 after that.

Fleetguard filters. K&N scotty. Rotella 15w40.

Engine runs great. Never uses any oil between changes. Just completed 1400 mi trip in 24 hours. No problems.

I tow over 50% of the time. GCVW ranges from 10k to 22k.

Please give me your advice. Should I sample again, now? Should I wait until next oil change? Should I take to mechanic immediately?



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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver, Rancho 9000's

 

[Guest00]

Is this your first analysis??? If not what are the #s from the other changes. You have to look for a trend or base line then when you deviate from the base line you need to go to Cummins for advice. On a single analysis it is hard to make a determination unless the #s are really gross. I would take another sample at 3k mi and see where the #s come in. could be you need to shorten interval or change oil brand.

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 02-12-2001). ]

 

[Ninearrow]

Yes. This is the 1st analysis. I don't have anything previous to use for a baseline.

 

[Tom C]

what do these numbers mean and where do you get it analized.

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.

 

[DocStressor]

Ninearrow -- Your sort of pushing your oil by extending to 7500 mile changes with 50% towing. The owners manual says to change at about 4K if you tow. I agree with JNutter, do another analysis at 3K. If your iron is below 20 ppm, you are fine. You don't seem to have a dirt problem, so you are probably depleting your additives over the last 1000 or so miles and seeing increased wear. I would not be too concerned until you see that next analysis. With conventional oil, my Cummins was accumulating about 20 ppm or iron per 3K miles while towing. So at a constant rate of wear I would expect about 50-55 ppm at 7500.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

[JJW_ND]

The harder you pull or the more miles you drive in a week/month the better the oil samples. Bad samples (high iron) come from lots of short trips, cold starts (winter).

I agree with sampling at 1/2 the change interval. Unless you drive less then 10K/year... . 7500 change intervals are not to long.

You can grab a sample from the drain plug by just cracking it and letting a couple quarts drain off before catching samlple. Pour the oil backin when done.

I have seen 100ppm iron but it was at 25K miles of the same oil. I does not take much to contaminate a sample. Need to very clean and consistent. Did your lab give you viscosity (100 C) or TBN. This will tell you if your oil is on the down hill.

jjw
ND

 

[Mad Max]

Out of curiosity... (thread starter) what oil are you using?

Some chemistries, while meeting the appropriate certifications, are harder on metals than others. As mentioned earlier, a change in brand and/or intervals may be mertious.

Max

[This message has been edited by Mad Max (edited 02-13-2001). ]

 

[Guest00]

Originally posted by Mad Max:
Out of curiosity... (thread starter) what oil are you using?

in his post he says rotella 15-40
Max

 

[monkfarm]

I got a 97 on the iron on mine. It was also my first anylsis. I took it to a Cummins dealer, and they said you have to take more samples to get an accurate picture. But He also said, "how much have you been using that clutch??" Some of that could be from the ??(i believe) ?pilot? bearing that is lubricated from your crankcase oil. I too will take more samples and then see.

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie with aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags
5 speed,4X4, truck mirrors, all trailer towing, and camper pks.
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker
Amsoiled throughout. . .