Oil analysis shows elevated soot

[Briar Hopper]

Got a question for those of you who are running Amsoil synthetic in the engine, and also have injectors that are Stage 3 or bigger, maybe even an Hx40 turbo...

Are you seeing "elevated soot levels" in your oil analysis? I am...

I had 35,000 miles on my oil (dual bypass filter set-up) and ended up draining it and putting in fresh oil and 2 new filters. (The oil was still fine for continued use, according to the lab) Now after 3000 miles, my soot levels are . 02 higher in the new oil than they were in the old oil !!!

That's a lot of blowby... Just wondering if anyone else running a lot of fuel, is seeing the same thing...

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Where are you getting your samples from?, Test valve or dipstick tube? and if the dipstick tube, you are using a new hose right?

 

[Briar Hopper]

Sampling valve at the filter block that holds both filters. Thought about getting one of those suction hose kits, I seem to remember a post about it a few weeks ago.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Tom, I would never guess you would ever have enough power to make any soot.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Where you are sampling now is fine. The suction tube is a nice idea too since you can get free floating oil from the center of the pan

 

[CumminsPower98]

check point

I will be sampling my oil (Amsoil) in about another 1000 miles when I change the filter. Since I have no suction tube or bypass system I was wondering if it would be ok to take the sample from the old oil filter after I remove it. Is it really that important to take it from the center of the pan? Do I need to invest in yet another device for my money sink?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

BOMBed level?

Briar, you have Stage 3s and some sort of box I assume? How much of the time do you stick your foot into it? You probably don't have an engine wear/blowby problem per se, but the cumulative effect of romping on it and making clouds of smoke will certainly result in a lot more soot working its way past the rings over time than lightly BOMBed trucks.



I recently ran 20,000 miles on an oil change with the 15W40 Amsoil and there wasn't enough soot to register on the Oil Analyzer's scorecard (under 1%). I only have Stage 2s and try to drive smoke-free, since I figure that is better for the engine's long term health. I run Stratapore filters most of the time.



Which brings up something I've thought about posting a question on. . . whether there could be any possible hazards or harmful effects caused by excessive soot to the engine when running big injectors? I know some of the big BOMBers have taken their cylinder heads off, I wonder how much carbon accumulates in the head, or around the rings, over time? I recently bought Big Bob's downpipe, which is caked thick with soot, layer upon layer. That got me to wondering whether massive amounts of smoke generation can be harmful to a Cummin's health?



Vaughn

 

[fest3er]

Re: check point

Originally posted by CumminsPower98

... Is it really that important to take it from the center of the pan? Do I need to invest in yet another device for my money sink?

Oil inside the filter might not be the best to use. You want the cleanest oil you can get from your engine. That is, you don't want any latent contaminants or sediments in the sample.



You could crack open the drain plug, drain a pint or so, then grab some for the sample, then pour the pint back in if you like.



You could make a fitting to go on the 1/8(?) NPT fitting on the oil filter adapter, run the engine, drain a pint or so, then take some for the sample, kill the engine, reinstall the 1/8(?) NPT plug, then pour the pint back in, if desired.



You could suction oil from the pan by feeding a hose down the dipstick tube, making sure you don't feed more than the length of the dipstick.



You also want to sample the oil when the engine is hot.



Both of my sample results showed <1. 0 soot. But then, I only make a paltry 172 RWHP. *I* smoke; my truck doesn't.



Yes, it does matter from whence you get the oil for the sample.



Fest3er

 

[illflem]

Re: Re: check point

Originally posted by fest3er









You could make a fitting to go on the 1/8(?) NPT fitting on the oil filter adapter, run the engine, drain a pint or so, then take some for the sample, kill the engine, reinstall the 1/8(?) NPT plug, then pour the pint back in, if desired.







Fest3er

This is what I do, cost about $10 at the hardware store. Use a 1/8" NPT valve at the filter. I made the tubing long enough to run to the oil fill spout, that way you can run the oil though for awhile to get a clean sample. When you finish shut the engine down, hang the tubing from your hood and open the valve, the oil will drain back into the engine. Works great and you won't lose a drop other than for the sample.

 

[vc]

illflem,

where exactly is this 1/8 npt that you guys are mentioning? My oil filter setup is all stock, so did you guys add something there to have that access? can you maybe post a picture or a diagram?

Thanks.

vc

 

[Briar Hopper]

Yes, Vaughn, I drive it with my foot in it too much, probably too much by most people's standards Takes more willpower than I've got, to turn down the TST box. If it wears out, too bad for me, I'll be one of the first kids on the block with a Cummins ReMan under the hood Not trying to be a smart@$$, just funny.

I'm mostly wondering if anyone else is seeing these kind of numbers, I still don't have an answer to my original question. Good question, Vaughn, about a look inside the engines... . I've had 2 friends with 12 valves who had the heads off their engines (both had serious HP, tweaked pumps, bigger injectors) and both did NOT have significant accumulations in the cylinders.

 

[illflem]

vc, the 1/8" plug is on top of your oil filter housing, it has a hex head. What you need to buy is a 6"x 1/8" NPT nipple, 3' of 1/4" poly hose and a angle valve that is made for supplying water to a swamp cooler. The valve is 1/8 pipe thread x 1/4" compression. The 6" nipple makes the whole thing easier to screw in after the filter housing plug is removed. It's nice to be able to take a good oil sample without changing the oil, you will more than likely find that you can extend your oil change interval. I'm changing my Delo at 7k now, tests say the oil is still good.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The oil sampling suction kit is only about 20 bucks from the TDR meber "CPFF". You just have to be careful and not use the same hose twice so you wont contaminate readings. You have to replce the hose every sample, but they are cheap.

 

[illflem]

I've never seen a dip stick suction sampler but have read about them on the noria oil analysis website. They say that you can get inaccurate samples because oil gunk stuck to the dip stick tube can get in the sample tube as you push it in. Noria doesn't recommend that method for this reason. Check out their message boards for lots of good oil analysis info. Briar, you may want to ask your question there.

 

[TwoSlick]

Brian,



How much total soot are you talking about? It is normal to see some variation in the levels, depending on fuel quality and driving conditions.

I like to set a soot limit of 3. 0% for a light truck diesel engine and you are probably nowhere near that level ... .



TwoSlick