Oil Analysis Report

[Greenleaf]

Here are the no. s I promised I would post. Keep in mind, info is reported in parts per million. Anyone who has results from past oil changes, please feel free to post them for comparison. One oil sample tells you little. The info needs to be compiled over a period of time ie several changes or samples between drains.



My CTD at 175K with 4,250 miles on oil sample;

iron;11

chromium;5

lead;2

copper;1

tin;0

aluminum5

nickel;0

silver;0

silicon;10 [air born dirt]

boron;5

sodium;7

fuel;<1

water;0

soot;0. 2

glycol;negative



Sample is considered clean and usable. If I had not drained this oil I could run it another 4,000 miles and sampled again. I did not report all the test results. These are the common ones.





The following results are taken from one of my ISB engines which REQUIRES oil change. 75,400 miles with 16,050 miles on the oil sample.

iron;102

chromium;10

lead;5

copper;5

tin;0

aluminum;14

nickel;0

silver;0

silicon;9

boron;12

sodium;11

fuel;<1

water;0

soot;1. 6

glycol;negative





Results may vary depending on the oil brand used. All oil is Shell 15/40

 

[sparks57]

So what problems can be discovered by doing this test? Where do you send the oil to?



I don't know anything about this process.

 

[amsoilman]

Greenleaf



You left out one of the most important numbers! What was the Viscosity??



Also, what was the oil you were using?



Wayne

 

[Greenleaf]

The oil used is Shell Rotella T 15/40.



The viscosity test [ASTM-D445] is determined at 100*C is a measure of the flow rate of an oil in relation to time. This data is used to assign an ASE grade to an oil.



My truck's sample was 14. 98 which is a high 40 weight oil. A low count would be 13. 00 this would put it toward 30 weight oil. The object is to look for your oil to stay at it's designated weight. 16. 00 is nearly off the scale for ASE40 oil. ASE50 oil is rated at 16. 30



So what is gained? Well, a great deal of info. The basics would be the following.

Engine wear

Coolant in lube oil

Fuel in lube oil

Soot in lube oil

Water in your lube oil

Dirt in lube oil [your air filter isn't working or you have a leak]

Along with many other items of concern.



It's best to track it over a long time frame. It's the only way to establish a base line for your rig. If something changes between samples or oil drains you'll have a heads up.



Look over the two samples I posted up top. These two engines have the same oil but different contaminants. Let me put it this way. Some engines hold so much lube oil that you dont want to change it until you have to. This is how you know. For us, it's a way to track the engine's vitals.



The oil is sent to the lab of your choice. I use NAPA samples and Shaffer's samples. The cost is $6. 00 to $10. 00 per sample. You can sample the oil w/out draining or collect it during a drain. It must be hot to ensure it it thoroughly mixed.



Scott

 

[JLEONARD]

Just for a comparison, here's a sample result from my Cummins marine 6BTA 270 hp from a while ago.

Engine had completed second boating year(01)and had 290 hours on it (barely broken in). Oil was Valvoline Premium blue 15-40.

iron 51

Chrome 4

lead 4

copper 11

Tin 0

Al 5

Nickel 0

Silver 0

silicon 24 (appears high. . was 54 at 100 hours)

magnesium 28

boron 5

sodium 18

fuel ,1

water 0

soot 0. 3%

glycol neg

Viscosity 13. 04 (within the 40 range)



I did contact Cummins to report/discuss the silicon level (sample at 100 hours was high as well) ... mainly because it was still under warrantee... . They said it is of little concern, and that they do not recognize oil sample results as a basis for warrantee issues. Thought that was an interesting comment.



Maybe I'll get the truck oil analyzed at my next change to see what that looks like.

 

[Greenleaf]

That's what I needed to see, thanks JL. The silicon count seems to always to be high on new engines. New Cummins are high, new 7. 3L Powerjoke's are off the scale! Iron will be high as well.



Scott

 

[JLEONARD]

The silicon count seems to always to be high on new engines





Scott, I have read that this is attributed to sand being left in the castings.

 

[Greenleaf]

I have read that too.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Greenleaf

Your numbers look good. Your truck and mine are at about the same mileage - 174,000 for mine and our analysis numbers are all very close. I change my oil every 6000 miles and use Amsoil 15W40 Marine diesel. I also do an analysis at each oil change and my numbers have remained constant for the life of my truck.



Bob