Oil sample

Topic: Oil sample (Read 789 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil sample

September 12, 2013, 06:26:19 pm

Sent a sample of engine oil to Blackstone Labs last week.
Got the report back on Tuesday. Showed very high PPM of silicone!!! The rest of the report was all normal. Best guess is some mechanic used silicone with or instead of a gasket and used too much.
Having oil changed tomorrow at Freightliner here in San Diego.
Useing silicone on gaskets is like useing Teflon tape on pipe fittings. If you apply it wrong, you'll have issues down the road.

Richard B

Re: Oil sample

Reply #1 – September 12, 2013, 06:55:46 pm

Actually, bad air filter (letting through too much dirt) is the #1 cause of high silicone readings: Blackstone Labs

Scroll over silicone.

I would immediately replace the air filter, taking care to determine if you can see any dirt on the engine side of the filter. A tear in a filter pleat and/or bad sealing at ends of canister are suspect.

Brett

Re: Oil sample

Reply #2 – September 12, 2013, 06:56:46 pm

Use of Copper Coat Gasket cement can give a very high copper reading in a report also.
And correct on Teflon tape wrapped incorrectly, never allowed in aviation.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #3 – September 12, 2013, 07:56:10 pm

Brett
I continue to be impressed with the depth of your knowledge. Thank you for your attention to this forum.

is it is necessary to test every oil change?

Re: Oil sample

Reply #4 – September 12, 2013, 08:20:21 pm

Not sure there is a "correct" answer to that.

Certainly test after replacing any component that could cause an issue. Air filters are the "poster child" for that.

Same for any engine work that gets into the oiled part of the engine, unexplained drop in cooling level, etc.

Other than that, I don't test every annual oil change-- some do.

Brett

Re: Oil sample

Reply #5 – September 12, 2013, 08:29:06 pm

Thanks Brett

Amsol is what is in it now. Tested last fall. No issues.

I know annually is recommended. I gonna roll the dice and replace it bi-annually.
We put 10-14k on a year. Expensive change

Re: Oil sample

Reply #6 – September 12, 2013, 08:46:56 pm

Brett W,
Did just that. Couldn't find any issues with the filter or gaskets. No dirt on engine side of filter and not much on the outside either. Still changed filter just to be on the safe side.
Thanks for the input,

Richard B.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #7 – September 12, 2013, 10:19:03 pm

We put a very thin coat of silicone plumbers grease on the two air filter round foam gaskets to improve seal to metal surfaces.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #8 – September 12, 2013, 10:52:16 pm

Make sure you check the ducting inboard of the air filter I have seen cracks in this area letting dirt in.
Bill

Re: Oil sample

Reply #9 – September 13, 2013, 08:33:18 am

Richard, Had an experience where silicon was high on oil report. Had just changed air filter. Never did find exact cause but while in CO traveled down a county road for less than a mile to get to BIL's place, only thing I can figure is that dust from that short period clogged the filter and since I had routinely had changed it between that trip and oil report I never really saw how much dust was in the filter. Apparently does not take much.
Gary B

Re: Oil sample

Reply #10 – September 13, 2013, 11:31:54 am

Gary, I have a feeling that's what happened here also.
Getting oil changed now and all new filters so we will see.
Not sure how long I should go before taking an oil sample now. I'm thinking around 500 miles or so. Any thoughts on that?
Richard B

Re: Oil sample

Reply #11 – September 13, 2013, 12:18:26 pm

Richard,

500 miles is way too soon IMO. Might check with Blackstone (or whichever lab you are using) for their minimum mileage recommendation.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #12 – September 13, 2013, 12:45:21 pm

Richard, I would not get an immediate sample. If you want my opinion I would wait til next change to get another sample. Those guys at Blackstone are really helpful but if you are uneasy give them a call and see what they have to say, they see this stuff every day.
Gary B

Re: Oil sample

Reply #13 – September 13, 2013, 12:55:20 pm

Brett, Gary,
I talked to Blackstone about it and their opinion was to go with the regular interval but if I was uncomfortable with that to do it around a thousand miles. Their feeling was raw air intrusion into the engine based on that all the other readings were good.

Richard B

Re: Oil sample

Reply #14 – September 13, 2013, 03:47:28 pm

I recently sent in an oil sample with 3400 miles (15 months) between oil changes. In Blackstone's report they commented that "3400 miles was way too soon, even for a C 8.3 Cummins". Their minimum is 5,000 miles, but they suggested that I wait until 7,000-8,000 miles, as the additives were holding up well.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #15 – September 13, 2013, 06:22:36 pm

Don

Are you using regular oil?

Re: Oil sample

Reply #16 – September 13, 2013, 09:12:02 pm

I use Delo 15W-40 regular (non-synthetic) oil.

On Friday, September 13, 2013, fouroureye wrote:

Quote

Don

Are you using regular oil?

John & CHERYL 1988 GV 40' ORED Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!

Re: Oil sample

Reply #17 – September 13, 2013, 09:17:37 pm

So if you're +5000 miles
Am soil would be according to them 20000+ ? ?

Re: Oil sample

Reply #18 – September 13, 2013, 09:19:22 pm

No, additive life wouldn't be different.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #19 – September 13, 2013, 09:23:50 pm

So how many miles make sense?

Is it that much better ? Considering over 2-times the cost for per oil change.

iDK..

Re: Oil sample

Reply #20 – September 13, 2013, 09:27:43 pm

John,

Oil analysis is the only way to know how safely you can extend recommended oil changes, based on your personal engine usage/storage.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #21 – September 14, 2013, 02:19:09 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – September 13, 2013, 09:27:43 pm

John,

Oil analysis is the only way to know how safely you can extend recommended oil changes, based on your personal engine usage/storage.

Brett is exactly correct: That's why you can't use someone else's engine data, even with the identical engine. Wear patterns will be unique for each engine.

Re: Oil sample

Reply #22 – September 14, 2013, 05:58:30 am

I run delo and change at 15k. I have more life left on the oil but this means I change it twice a year. I thought about royal purple and extended drain but figured i would be in service fore something once or twice a year anyway.

Affiliate Notice