Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil sample questions

[JGheen]

Well, got my first oil sample results back in from Monitor. Being this is my first sample I have no idea what to look for and what is good or bad, but at least it came back with "no abnormal results were discovered. "

So, what should I look for from the results that would show a bad oil sample or that there is something wrong with the engine?

The list is long but here are some numbers from the sample findings(all other results were labeled as zero):



Iron - 6

Aluminum - 3

Lead - 1

Silicon - 4

Sodium - 1

Potassium - 3

Molybdenum - 96

Antimony - 16

Boron - 150

Magnesium - 21

Calcium - 3763

Phosphorus - 1418

Zinc - 1531

Fuel Dilution - 0. 5

Fuel Soot - <. 1

Water% - <. 1



I would assume these numbers are parts per million but not sure. The oil was Valvoline PB with just under 3000 miles on it.

TIA for the info.



Joe

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Looks pretty normal for your mileage on the oil - yes, values are usually parts-per-million...

 

[JGheen]

Thanks, Gary, but what do I look for if my oil was bad or if something in the engine was causing an issue? Obviously, there would be a blow-by issue if my fuel soot was any higher than listed, for an example, right?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Dunno about the analysis outfit you used, but Blackstone Labs supply a list of what they consider "normal" wear and contaminent levels with their reports - as well as their own comments if they see anything unusual in your sample - here's a sample report from them on some of my oil from the old '91 I had before the '02 - check the extreme right column for what they consider normal values in each category:





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[Cooker]

Viscosity and TBN are important numbers for helping determine if the oil had any life left but not necessarily so important to help determine how the engine itself is holding up.



What brand of oil was this? How many miles on the oil?

 

[JGheen]

Originally posted by Cooker

Viscosity and TBN are important numbers for helping determine if the oil had any life left but not necessarily so important to help determine how the engine itself is holding up.



What brand of oil was this? How many miles on the oil?

What kind of numbers should I be looking for in the way of viscosity and TBN(which stands for??)?

The oil is Valvoline PB and had about 2500-3000 miles on it. Probably closer to 2500, but not sure my odometer is not calibrated.

 

[PAbernathy]

TBN=Total Base Number

... TBN(which stands for??)? ...

I understand that TBN is total base number, and basically represents how well the additives in the oil are holding up in an extended oil change interval. If the TBN is falling over consecutive samples between extended interval oil changes, then it's a flag that indicates that the oil must be changed. This is only relevant if the oil has bypass filtration, and is not going to be changed until the readings support the need for changing.



At least, that's my "simplified" explanation of my understanding.



Still reading and learning and trying to decide where to go/what to do.



Phil