Oil Analysis In: High Lead Content

[RobG]

When I changed the oil in my truck back on 5/1, I sent a sample in to Blackstone Labs for testing. The truck had 28,100 miles on the odometer at this time.



The oil used was Shell Rotella 15W40, with approx 4000-5000 miles on it (I didn't remember the exact mileage when I changed it). During that run of oil, I spent almost the entire time towing or carrying a heavy load:



- Carried my Lance camper from Concord to Reno

- Carried camper and towed car from Reno to Los Angeles and back

- Carried camper to Lancaster (CA), then drove empty to LA, back to Lancaster, and then carried camper back to Reno

- Carried loads of stuff from storage unit to house that I recently rented



Other than that, the truck didn't move. I drove my Grand Cherokee for most daily stuff.



The report said that everything was fine, except that the lead content was twice the average (6 ppm vs. 3 ppm), which they say is from bearings.



One interesting thing is that the truck appears to burn oil. I noticed that it burned about 2-3 quarts during this last run, as I had to add a quart on the way back from the second trip to LA. Then when I drained it, after the sample, I only got about nine quarts out of it (after emptying the filter too).



BTW, for all of you anti-K&N types, my silicon reading was less than half the average at 5 ppm. My K&N/Psychotty has been on the truck since approx. 1000 miles and has not yet been cleaned.



So... any thoughts on this lead issue, and the burning/missing oil? I suppose I'll send in another sample after 4000 miles and see what turns up.



Rob

 

[Don M]

Rob, 6ppm is frickin low dude. I would not worry about that at all. Since you towed the entire time the #'s are very very low.

It is from bearings.



Don~



edit- major spelling errors

 

[RobG]

Well, the reason I posted about it was because the notes on the analysis sheet pointed it out, and suggested another analysis in 4000 miles.



Rob

 

[DocStressor]

What were your copper numbers, Rob? I agree with Don, it's from your bearings. Probably the result of hauling too fast up and down the mountains. Running with your foot off the throttle going down hill could also be contributing to your oil burning problem. I would suggest trying Delo. It uses a less volatile base stock and generally shows better wear rates than Rotella. My pb numbers have been between 0 - 2 ppm over ~3K intervals with Delo and 7. 5K intervals with Delvac 1 or Amsoil. Mine uses no oil. 6 ppm pb is not really too high for an engine that is worked hard. But every engine is different and you really need to follow wear metal trends in order to understand how yours is doing.

 

[amsoilman]

RobG,

My last analysis at over 30,000 on my oil, the (Pb)lead reading was 7 ppm. Your 6 ppm reading is very low as is mine. It is true that lead can come from bearings, however in order for lead to be from a bearing other metals such as copper, tin or alluminum must also be present as the bearings are alloyed with all these elements.

I would not worry about your 6 ppm reading for lead!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[PRout]

Originally posted by RobG





BTW, for all of you anti-K&N types, my silicon reading was less than half the average at 5 ppm. My K&N/Psychotty has been on the truck since approx. 1000 miles and has not yet been cleaned.



Rob

Its probably all that lead in the K&N filter oil. . Heehee just kidding.



Anyways with your lead being only 6ppm, that doesnt sound like a problem.