Is Antifreeze in Oil Covered by Warranty (Potassium 42)?

[MMead]

My oil reports have been showing increasing numbers for Potassium and Aluminum. The Potassium is now up to 42 and the Aluminum is at 11. The Oil Report Comments says that the oil is testing positive for anti-freeze contamination and that I need to change the oil at least every 4,000 miles. I don't think this leak will show up in a pressure test of the cooling system. Any idea what I should do about this problem?

 

[roperteacher]

I am guessing that since there is no code, no problem. With how hard it is to get dealers to fix stuff, it would have to FAIL for them to take action. Oil reports are great but Chrysler doesn't take much stock in them. How would they know you didn't contaminate your sample somehow???

 

[MMead]

You are right. I called and they said if I would pay the dealership to run tests or tear down the engine to find a leak they would pay for it ONLY if they could see a leak or major problem. If they don't find anything then I pick up the bill for the tests. The dealer said that as long as the engine lasts longer than the waranty, they didn't really care what was going on internally.



I guess that makes pretty good sense, or everyone would have them tear down the engine everytime there was something strange on a third-party oil report. I just hate that I've done so much to take care of this engine and there is not much I can do to have this problem fixed. Blackstone said I shouldn't go more than 4,000 miles between oil changes any more either. Oh-well.

 

[betterthanstock]

Heat exchanger above oil filter could be leaking.

 

[BILLVO]

Sounds like a failing oil cooler.

 

[MMead]

If I am going to pay the dealer to run a test to see if they can find a problem, what would you guys recomend I ask them to do? Just a pressure test of the cooling system?

 

[BILLVO]

If the guy is any sort of tech at all and you have more than 1 sample to show him to show a trend in the increasing numbers then they should just do a cooler replacement. The only way to test it good is to remove it from the engine to inspect and test it. If it was leaking enough to see in an on engine pressure test you would be draining your coolant through the oil pan.

 

[NLeach]

Keep all your paperwork,oil analysis stuff like that. Is your oil level rising or coolant level dropping?If so keep bringing it back to the dealer for the same thing,and if it does happen after warranty you have proof that it has been happening all along. Thats what I would do. That about all you can do.

 

[roperteacher]

Very true on the dealer replacing with good evidence. I had a 06 that was eating water pumps, just not at the dealer, so I kept my Video camera in the truck. THey replaced my pump a couple of times based on my videos!

 

[WNowlan]

I would suggest you contact your oil company that you use. The production labs are not very good at detecting true coolant leaks on a small scale. Have a glycol test done. Blackstone is using a computer program to evaluate the results. These labs are not for diagnostic, only trends. They may not have the latest additive package information on the oil you are using.



I worked in the Heavy-Duty oil industry for over 20 years. It is not uncommon for false positives on oil analysis reports. We never recommended tearing down engines based on production lab results.

 

[JCockerill]

MMead, I have the same problem on my 06, i emailed you. any luck yet?

 

[TCluff]

A High Sodium Reading Would Indicate The Coolant Is Being Burnt Ie Cylinder Head

 

[ENafziger]

me too...

MMead, I have the same problem on my 06, i emailed you. any luck yet?<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I have the same problem on my '06 as well... Blackstone said the high copper levels could indicate a leaking oil cooler?

This is starting to look like a trend...

--Eric

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Stupid question..... For you guys who are having antifreeze show up in oil, did you have any symptoms before your oil sample testings?



Every six months or so, I notice that my overflow is a little low? I always check my oil level, and everything is normal. I will add a cup or two of antifreeze and all is good, until a few more months go by and it is a little low. I park my truck in the garage, and the truck does not leak. I have never done an oil sample in the 97,000 miles I have owned it.



Is it possible that over six months or so that some antifreeze will evaporate? Do I need to be worried?



Thanks!

 

[HOBrian]

Stupid question..... For you guys who are having antifreeze show up in oil, did you have any symptoms before your oil sample testings?



Every six months or so, I notice that my overflow is a little low? I always check my oil level, and everything is normal. I will add a cup or two of antifreeze and all is good, until a few more months go by and it is a little low. I park my truck in the garage, and the truck does not leak. I have never done an oil sample in the 97,000 miles I have owned it.



Is it possible that over six months or so that some antifreeze will evaporate? Do I need to be worried?



Thanks!

Turbo,



I thought the same thing when I was losing coolant. I then found my problem... the overflow line coming of the rad. was almost coming off and was losing coolant losing the truck got hot and would suck air when cooling down. Just my . 02

 

[WMonroe]

Blackstone flagged my last oil report as having high potassium and said that it "could" be antifreeze. I'm not very worried though as my oil level never rises, antifreeze level hasn't dropped at all in 26000 miles, and there is no oil in the antifreeze.

Maybe it is an issue with blackstone. :-laf

Will

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Turbo,



I thought the same thing when I was losing coolant. I then found my problem... the overflow line coming of the rad. was almost coming off and was losing coolant losing the truck got hot and would suck air when cooling down. Just my . 02

Thanks HOBrian..... I will check that in the morning.



However, after work today I did a pressure test on the system and I lost 5 PSI in about 25 minutes!!!!



Like I said... . There are no signs of dripping / weeping anywhere. My truck drives great, no smoke (Unless I have my Smarty cranked up. . LOL!) I checked my oil level, and it was right where it is supposed to be. The oil looked good, not milkey.



Now what???? Experts and people like me (Wanna be experts), I'm all ears.



Thanks!

 

[wcoomes]

Is there also oil in your antifreeze?



On my '92, I discovered this while at a fuel stop while on vacation. Dealer in Eau Claire, WI diagnosed it as the engine oil cooler. Wrong, it was the head gasket. They eventually took it to Cummins and it was fixed under warranty.