2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission oil analysis results

[beartrace]

I'm using Amsoil 15 - 40 diesel and marine synthetic. The first analysis at 7500 miles showed no problems at all. The second analysis at 15,000 showed an increase in iron from the original of (32) to the current (133). Everything else looks great. The comment on the analysis sheet was (data flagged for observation only, Iron is at a minor level). I decided to change the oil anyway. After I drained the oil, I put it back through a funnel with a screen into the original containers for disposal. I noticed that after pouring about 1/2 the oil back through the strainer it was going into pretty slow. After looking at the strainer, it appeared to have a lot of sludge clogging it. At 7500 miles, I did not have any of this sludge. I am glad that I changed the oil as I don't feel comfortable with what came out at 15,000 miles. Have any others experienced this or anyone have any comments? I now have 49,000 miles on my truck.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hmmm, that's not very comforting Your Iron numbers are higher than they should be.



I just got a sample report back Saturday. My Iron count was 71, that was with 20,170 miles on the oil with 3qts makeup. Soot was 0. 5%

Are you heavily BOMBed and sooting up your oil badly? What was the soot reading? What about your other metal counts?





I have 80K on my truck and have run 20K changes 3 times now. Once on Amsoil 15W40, once on Amsoil 5W30, and once on Mobil Delvac 1.



Looking back over my sheets, all the above oils did excellent for the first 10k, but then 2nd 10k of the 20K change cycle the oil performance dropped off. Especially with the Amsoil 5W30 which gave me the poorest numbers, and the Delvac 1 which gave the best numbers for the first 10K but then dropped off.



Overall my best numbers were with the Amsoil 15W40, but the Delvac has worked great so I am stickin' with it. Although I am considering dropping back the interval to 15K.



I use Stratapore filters and no bypass.



Vaughn

 

[dezeldog]

RE: Oil Analysis

I'm at 15000 intervals with filter changes at 5&10k last sample the iron was at 42. That's with Amsoil 15/40 I've got 212000 on the GREEN GOAT. Been doing it this way for about 150000 mi.









Jim

 

[Ted Constantine]

I have 23k on my oil right now and 50k on the truck. This past analysis of 5-30 amsoil showed iron up to 98. I try to change filters and sample every 7500 and the bypass every 15k and have been pretty good about it but this past interval was a little long. The only number issues I am having are HIGH copper. It is down a little this time but still high. Here it is::



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2961&width=1



EDIT; picture was to small to see so go to the link



Ted

 

[HC]

It's not really fair to compare my "bypass" numbers with your "full flow only" numbers, but with 20000 on the oil and 100k+ on the vehicle (full flow filters at 5k, bypass at 15k) my Fe was only up to 34. What concerns me more is the "sludge" comment. Unless this was your first run with Amsoil, I don't think you should be seeing sludge. Minor antifreeze leaks could cause something like this, but so could other things.



My recommendation is that you get on the phone and call your oil lab; they should have the test results on file and will be willing to discuss the possibilities with you in more detail.

 

[beartrace]

Iron-133

lead -2

Tin - 0

AL - 6

Fuel - . 5

boron - 54

Silicon - 8

Calcium - 3889

Phosphorus - 1181

Zinc - 1331

Soot . 2

Water <. 1

Copper -2

Sodium - 4

Potassium - 1

Anything not shown was 0



I went with Oil Analyzers on my first analysis and fleetguard on this one. Fleetguard does not give TBN,OXD, or NOX so I won't be using them again.



TED - I could not find your oil analysis on your link and pic was too small to read.



HC - I am most concerned with sludge also. Unless you strain it after draining you would NOT know there was any sludge. I am planning to call Fleetwood for clarification on the report and questions on the sludge but they are gone for Christmas.

I'm just glad that I decided to drain it when I did as I'm heading to Florida with my slide-in in January for several months.



Thanks for you feed back !

 

[illflem]

Your iron level is in the low end of the accepable range, I wouldn't worry about it but keep your eye on it.

My feeling is you may have changed over to synthetic too soon and will see higher levels of break in materials including fuel slipping past the rings for quite some time.



Hate to say it but you'll get much better answers to your oil analysis questions on this site than you will on TDR-- http://www.oilanalysis.com/message_boards/by_category.asp?Category=Car and Truck Lubrication

 

[LSMITH]

My iron has never been over 40 with up to 8500 miles on Rotella, no bypass filter either. The reading going to 130 after being around 30 in just 7500 miles would make me shorten the interval for sure. Your fuel is a lot higher than I have ever seen too, WAY over double. TBN and Oxidation would be very interesting to know with the iron readings you got.

 

[Ted Constantine]

Well lets try it again.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=2961&width=0

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I can see it this time Ted



BTW, what oil were you running a while ago to get an Iron count of 102 with 13K on the oil? Was it subjected to harsher driving conditions?



EDIT: I noticed your Aluminum and Lead numbers seem quite a bit higher than what I normally see. At 20,000 miles on the oil my aluminum is usually between 4 and 10, lead between 2-4ppm. I use Oil Analyzers too. This is with any of the oils I've run, with no bypass. Running between 315-355hp.



Vaughn

 

[SnoKing]

Sounds like way to much work, I think I will just keep changing the Dino Oil at 5K and enjoy driving my truck, pulling my trailer and bugging the Duramax Jockies on RV.net.



It is going to be great when they start figuring out that the Duramax can not successfully be rebuilt in the field when they hit 200K and need it. Resale will go down the cra$er. SNOKING

 

[ewcmr2]

I think I'll stick with Rotella. At 9K miles, my iron was 20. :--)



EC

 

[JWalsh]

What type of oil were you using before switching to AMSOIL? Was it conventional oil or synthetic? What oil change interval were you using before switching. Before switching, did you flush your engine as recommended by AMSOIL? I am currently using AMSOIL 15W-40 diesel/marine just like you in my 94 Ram. Have close to 10K miles on it with a bypass filter. Plan on changing it and both filters wile I'm off for the holidays. Before AMSOIL I was using Mobile I 5W-30. When I used to use conventional oil in my other cars and trucks I would get shellac and sludge buildup but with the synthetic oils the engine stay very clean even though the oil got dark in color. When I change mine I'll save some and have it tested. I have seven vehicles that I just switched from Mobile I to AMSOIL.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by JWalsh



I am currently using AMSOIL 15W-40 diesel/marine just like you in my 94 Ram. Have close to 10K miles on it with a bypass filter. Plan on changing it and both filters wile I'm off for the holidays. Before AMSOIL I was using Mobile I 5W-30.

Were you using Mobil 1 5W30 in your CTD? For how many total miles and how many miles between changes? Just want to clarify

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

JWalsh, I don't think the Amsoil flush is necessary when changing over to synthetic on the Cummins. What I did was change it sooner than usual the first time since it will probably flush out the built-up crud. I went 8500 on my first change of synthetic, with one filter change about half way through that, and then have done 20,000 miles between changes ever since.



Pit Bull was asking what Mobil you were using because the Mobil 1 is not classified for use in diesels, because it's not designed to handle soot. I am currently running Mobil Delvac 1 which is Mobil's full synthetic designed for diesel use.



Welcome to TDR



Vaughn

 

[LSMITH]

Mobil 1 IS rated for use in diesels, just not rated for the Cummins. In the likes of Mercedes and VW diesels it gives great service. It will also work just fine in the Cummins, but needs to be changed more frequently. A 5K mile change interval would be plenty often.



I know it is nit-picking, but it is true. Check the label.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Thanks for setting me straight LSMITH

Making assumptions can get ya in trouble every time!!



Vaughn

 

[JWalsh]

PitBull

I ran 83200 miles on Mobile I 5W-30 with 5000 miles between changes including filter no bypass filter before switching to AMSOIL 15W-40 full synthetic for Diesel/Marine. I switched in March of 2001.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by JWalsh

PitBull

I ran 83200 miles on Mobile I 5W-30 with 5000 miles between changes including filter no bypass filter before switching to AMSOIL 15W-40 full synthetic for Diesel/Marine. I switched in March of 2001.

Sorry for all of the questions, but you are the first person that I have ever known to use Mobil 1 5W30 over that long of a period in their CTD and I just want to learn more about your impressions of how the oil performed.

Did you ever run any oil analysis? If you did how did it perform? Also what kind of climate do you live in? What are the temperature extremes? Also why did you decide to change to Amsoil? Did the engine sound different or perform any different with the Amsoil 15W40? How long did you run dino oil before you switched to Mobil 1 5W30? Did your truck ever use any oil between changes? Thanks for the information.

 

[LSMITH]

Vaughn, anytime. I was just passing on a "setting straight" I got on another board .