Oil analysis "flags"

[CKelley1]

the filtering is just not there. stay with a filter that meets cummins minimal requirements for filtration

 

[steved]

I have ran Fleetguard and Baldwin replacement panels... silicon under 4ppm every time.



The airbox itself, not the filter, is the main restriction in the 3rd gen trucks. I'll bet you could pull the filter from the stock airbox and still suck the filterminder completely in.



I drilled the bottom of the box full of 1" holes and the filterminder quit sucking in (before it would pull in with one WOT run on a NEW filter)... that was until the Smarty Jr and a Baldwin filter with 25k miles on it (and it still only barely starts to pull in).

 

[GaryOwen]

So, I used an Airaid filter on my 03 and the highest silicon level was 4ppm on a 12k+ mile oil sample. Highest iron sample was 19ppm on the same sample. Recently sold it w/531k miles and no blowby problems and excellent UOA results. If oil sample results are good, how can the filtration be bad? Something isn't adding up. Now if UOA results are bad I would question the filter also, but that was not the case.

 

[zippinbye]

Thanks to each of who shared your thoughts on the analysis and air filtration. I'm now on a path I might not have pursued by myself. Since I was planning on a cold air hose to the bottom of the air filter box anyhow, I will try it without the Airaid and either an OEM-style Fleetguard filter or one of the aftermarket drop-in replacements that were mentioned here. I'll see what the next analysis reveals. Another occasion where I find TDR indespensible!



Has anybody tapped the airbox with a vacuum gauge to see what the restriction is stock vs. a ported bottom? Obviously the filter minder measures vacuum in some fashion, but it's pretty rough. I'd be curious to know some comparative numbers.

 

[steved]

Gary:



He might just have an air leak or a faulty filter... it does happen.



I wouldn't condemn all the filters of a particular brand, but just this particular filter (as in this individual one) in his application *may* have issues based on the OP's UOA. All of us are assuming the elevated silicon is from poor air filtration, which may or may not be the case. The filter might be fine, and there is simply a leak at the seal.



For the record, I ran one of the early K&N filters for well over 100k of construction site use in my 99. Sold the truck with 200k without any issues from the K&N.



I think the filter makers got wise with the first batch of engine failures... the current K&N is definitely different than the one I used... and most of the so-called "performance filters" have some sort of fitration numbers associated with them now (showing they may actually test them)...



I would also suspect, that with these elevated silicon numbers, the OP should be able to wipe the inside of the piping between the filter box and the turbo and determine if the filter or sealing is the culprit. I would suspect dirt would be readily apparent.

 

[steved]

Zippin:



I believe one of the Gary's (GaryKLG7?) did a vacuum and temperature test on various setups on a 2nd gen a while back... might search for it.

 

[AWise]

How do the AmsOil Nanofiber "drop in" filters stack up? I am going to do the home made version of the PSM mod to my air box and was wondering if it would be worth switching to this filter. I may just stick with the Fleetgaurd paper filter, but I am curious what others experiences/thoughts are with these filters.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Zippin:



I believe one of the Gary's (GaryKLG7?) did a vacuum and temperature test on various setups on a 2nd gen a while back... might search for it.

Only "test" I did, was verifying the general sensitivity and accuracy of my own Filter Minder with a gauge I have for that purpose, to make sure the displayed lack of any movement of my Filter Minder under the heaviest loads with both the BHAF I was first using, and now the Donaldson MicroFiber, was at least reasonably accurate. At that point in time, I had the specs as to flow rates vs pressure to go on, and my specific Filter Minder checked out on the money, so at least in terms of flow, both the BHAF and Donaldson were a big improvement of the stock paper filter and the OEM filter housing - and subsequent oil analysis seemed to verify the filtration efficiency of both the BHAF and Donaldson - at least to my satisfaction.



As to the use of ANY "drop-in" filter type - OEM paper, K&N - or others, the filtration is NO BETTER than the fit into the OEM filter housing - and dirt leakage is just as likely with a poor fitting paper element as it is with the aftermarket types:



#ad




That tan deposit seen at the edges of the OEM filter, removed from my own truck with only 1000 miles or so on it, show pretty much what often can - and DOES get past those revered paper filters...



As Steve has pointed out, my own OEM filter setup would pull the Filter Minder down 3/4 on a single hard pull with the 5th wheel - and hasn't budged at all with the later filter types...

 

[Buffalo]

AWise,



A few years ago, I spoke with the owner & developer of the Psmbuick.com fresh air intake system. He is an engineer & has, very well, documented all his testing, filters included.



He was selling a 'single', drop-in Amsoil Nanofiber air filter & I asked him about the different filters. He was selling the Amsoil filter because it didn't perform very well. He had the best results with the AFE ProGuard-7 drop-in filter, at the time. There may be something better by now. It would probably be worth a call to find out.



I have been using an AFE ProGuard-7 System for awhile, now. I have been doing UOA's for about the last five oil changes & my silicon readings have been in the 4 to 5 range. The last change was for over 10,400 miles & all the oil changes have been with Chevron Delo-400, 15W40, CI-4+. The testing lab is Caterpillar.



Geno's Garage has said that the AFE PG-7 is the only aftermarket filter they will sell due to its filtering abilities, in the past.



BTW, I live in Phoenix, AZ. A really dusty place. That's why we are known for our beautiful sunsets. Nothing but dirt in the air causing light refraction.



Joe F.

 

[amsoilman]

My last 4 UOA's have shown between 20-24 ppm of silicon(Si) with last one showing 24ppm. My oil had 67,100 miles on it at the last UOA, and the silcon (Si) level was at 20 ppm at that time. This was on 1 October 2008. I am useing the Amsoil Nano-Fiber air filter.

NOTE: Silicon (Si) can also be in new oil as an additive. And it can also come from gaskets/sealers.



Wayne