UOA - Scary Wear Metals

[shorthorn]

Hello fellow TDR Brothers,

I recieved back my first Used Oil Analysis on my (new to me) 2014 Ram 3500. The truck had right about 38,000 miles at the time of this oil change / sampling. As you see in the comment I pulled the sample from the filter instead of catching it out of the drain pan like I typically try to do.

I changed this oil with just 6800 miles on it. Oil was conventional Shell Rotella. I put in Rotella T6.

Really concerned with the high levels of Aluminum / Iron / Copper / Potassium, and silicon

Silicon I assume could be high either from dirt off the filter or because I had just changed the air filter maybe?

Any thoughts on this? I can't imaging at 40,000 miles I am still seeing break - in or surely this motor shouldn't be wearing out badly.

View attachment 2014 Cummins UOA.pdf

 

[Newsa]

Might be when you change oils.......... the different detergent in the new oil does a better job of cleaning residue in the oil pan and throughout the engine. Never get alarmed about one OAU. especially if you went from conventional to Synthetic. I's likely the synthetic is purging the old deposits.

 

[shorthorn]

Thanks Newsa...

To be clear this sample was conventional oil. It was the fill the dealer put in when I bought the truck.. I have no idea what oil was used prior to me purchasing the truck at 32k.

I put in the T6 Rotella after dumping the samples oil.

I greatly appreciate the advice!

 

[Newsa]

I see. I thought the 6800 was on the new oil. Don't lose any sleep over it. Do it agsin several times with the ssme oil. A cummins even showing high metals will give good service in my opinion.

 

[JR]

I got a freak UOA out of the wife's Mountaineer one time. Copper : 10, Silicon : 24, Aluminium : 22, Chromium : 34, and Iron at a whopping 280.

This using the OEM specified and EPA driven 5w20 which I was never a fan of. I switched to 5w30 and have not seen similar samples since, even going to 10k mile intervals (2500 miles beyond the recommended factory service interval.)

 

[buntster]

IMO Catching your sample from the filter is a recipe for high levels of anything...the filter's job is to remove those particulates from the oil stream. You're essentially sampling what you've removed from the system.

 

[shorthorn]

Great point bunt... that was my thinking too.. enough so I even included it as a comment to Blackstone. They claim it doesn't matter really. I guess it depends whether the oil comes out the clean or dirty side of the filter.

 

[Newsa]

IMO Catching your sample from the filter is a recipe for high levels of anything...the filter's job is to remove those particulates from the oil stream. You're essentially sampling what you've removed from the system.

I also switched my wife's Mazda and my former Mitsubishi from 5w 20 to 5w 30. (Although i tried both 0w 20 and 0w30 also) Both are inline 4 cyls. The Mazda liked the multi weight 30. But the mitsubishi didn't accelerate as fast. So I guess the thicker weight oil caused a bit of slightly noticable drag on the 2.0 L mitsubishi.

 

[JR]

I also switched my wife's Mazda and my former Mitsubishi from 5w 20 to 5w 30. (Although i tried both 0w 20 and 0w30 also) Both are inline 4 cyls. The Mazda liked the multi weight 30. But the mitsubishi didn't accelerate as fast. So I guess the thicker weight oil caused a bit of slightly noticable drag on the 2.0 L mitsubishi.

Supposedly maintaining proper oil viscosity is important in the VVT engines but Ford says 5w30 is acceptable when the same engine is used in the the trucks. The overhead cam bores are machined on the 3v 4.6L instead of using bushings/bearings. As the bore diameters and clearances increase upper valvetrain oil pressure decreases. I figure using a heavier oil can't hurt.

OP, sorry for getting off track.

 

[Tinman]

Did I understand you bought this truck used? If so, this could be a sign the previous owner didn't take care of it. Not too bad though. Watch it and see.

 

[shorthorn]

Did I understand you bought this truck used? If so, this could be a sign the previous owner didn't take care of it. Not too bad though. Watch it and see.

Great point tinman. Yes, I bought the truck used. It had been used as an RV transporter for 30,000 miles in 9 months. I agree it's care during that time could be suspect.