High aluminum levels in '03 oil

[Gary - K7GLD]

Wayne, you may have seen more oil analysis than many here - for the Cummins, what actually has proven to be the average mileage when various wear numbers stabilize? I didn't start doing analysis on my '91 until I already had over 80,000 miles on it - and things were pretty stable by then - but i'm sure things settle down long before that...

 

[radar doctor]

thanks for the Data

this will give me something to watch for ... thanks guy's... .

 

[amsoilman]

GAry,

As with most things, a lot will depend on how the equipment is used, and the time on the oil has a BIG impact as well, but you should see your oil analysis start to stabilize by the time you have 40-50 thousand miles.



I have also seen where everything looks very good, and the next analysis will show a big jump in certain elements.



Example: Had a customer whith a CTD that had 28,000 on the engine, and 9,000 on the oil. All elements were good. Next analysis engine had 37,000 and oil had 18,000 miles. All elements were fine, highest wear metal was Iron at 24 ppm, Copper was 3 ppm.



Next analysis, engine had 50,000 miles, oil had 30,000. Analysis came back with 75 ppm Iron and 169 ppm Copper, there was also 0. 21 % Volume of water. (found a bad oil cooler on engine)



Next analysis came at 53,000 on engine, and 33,000 on oil. Iron was reported at 72 ppm, Copper was down to 12 ppm and water back down to 0 %.



THis is a very good example of how well oil analysis works! Without this, and only changing oil, this would never had been detected!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[ddutil]

My readings, w/ dino Rotella 15w40, 8500 miles on oil and 24000 on truck, OEM filter + Amsoil secondary filter, light towing but excited driver:



Iron 23

Chromium 2

Lead 3

Copper 7

Tin 0

Aluminium 14

Nickel 0

Silver 1

Silicon 7

Boron 1

Sodium 5

Magnesium 16

Calcium 3036

Barium 0

Phosphorus 1119

Zinc 1368

Molybdenum 0

Titanium 0

Vanadium 0

Potassium 0



Nitr 13. 0

Oxid 16. 0

TBN 4. 35



Comments are welcome, as this is my first analysis ever. Thanks, Dan

 

[amsoilman]

ddutil,

You did not mention what the Viscosity was, and the TBN appears to be a bit low for only having 8,500 miles on oil.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[ddutil]

Wayne, viscosity is 14. 27. Fuel < 1, Glycol neg, soot 0. 1, and water 0.



I had the same feeling about TBN, a brand new oil shows TBN 12+ isn't it? That means I have only 1/3 left of acid neutralizing capacity and I should not do another 6,500 miles on this oil (up to 15k), right? Thanks, Dan

 

[amsoilman]

ddutil,

The Viscosity numbers you give are great, but the TBN numbers would have me wondering if the oil would go another 6,500 miles.



It would be great to have had the (TAN) Total Acid Number, then you would be able to tell a little better. Usually, as the TBN goes DOWN, the TAN will go up, and when the two numbers get close to each other, then that is the time to get the oil out. Otherwise all the numbers you gave are OK.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[ddutil]

Wayne, what would lower the TBN so fast: fuel, fuel additives, acid rains ? (I'm only half kidding) Dan

 

[amsoilman]

ddutil,

There are many things that can contribute to lowering of the TBN in engine oils, even heat, along with fuels and moisture and incomplete combustion.



Wayne

amsoilman