Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Analysis report, concerns.

[JCyrbok]

I have been doing extended oil changes and analysis for the past 35K or so. I have an Amsoil by pass and use Oil Analysers for the tests. I run Amsoil 15W40 Heavy duty diesel. Truck has 48K



All my samples have been good until last summer when the copper content sky rocketed from 25ppm to 70ppm in 5k



They advised that it was "normal" for the break in period and to change the oil. That was with 15k on the oil. Oil was changed.



Next sample was fine.



This last sample that came back a couple of days ago, with only 12k on the oil, the Copper was up from 30ppm to 94ppm in 5k. My soot which was always . 01 was now . 68.



I did change my by pass filter when I pulled the last sample, so the By pass may have been less effective. By pass had 12k on it.



OAI lists Copper as a wear metal or additive. Alloyed with lead, tin or aluminum. Leachate from gaskets/sealants or coolers.



Everything else is well with in the limits.



Any Ideas????? Truck runs and sounds like it always has.



Thanks

J-



Only thing that has changed since last sample was a new VP put on by the dealer.

 

[JCyrbok]

Also does anyone know where to find what the upper limits are for each category. I thought the Blackstone Labs used to have them listed, but I cant find them now. I did a search here, but so many threads come up on analysis that it would be impossible to find.



Thanks

J-

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Dunno about a "limit" for copper - but my Blackstone analysis reports suggest 4 ppm as universal average for copper.



Main source for copper in the oil supply seems to be the oil cooler or any added fittings - tho' fittings are usually brass...



If you go to the pointer below, you will find oil analysis reports for a number of oil brands, new right from the bottle - your Amsoil is listed as ZERO copper content from the maker...



http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000310

 

[JCyrbok]

Thanks Gary. I have heard about the oil cooler, but did not think about the fittings for the by pass. They are all brass plus two extra 90deg and about a 3inch brass nipple so could route and clear everything the way I wanted when I installed it.



Thanks

J-

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You also asked about other suggested readings for oil analysis - here's one of my last ones, with about 20,000 miles on Delo 400 - the suggested values are in the extreme right column...



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