Oil Analysis - Diesel Forum

nbkr341 · 10-28-2012, 03:46 PM

Got the oil changed yesterday and the sample ready to be shipped off. This is my first analysis. I'll bump this thread back up when I get the results. I'm also trying out the larger powerstroke filter.

1993 Ford F250, 7.3 IDI, 110,315 miles
6,815 miles on 10 quarts of Royal Purple 15w40, 2 quarts added since last change (oil cooler was leaking, just got it fixed)

nbkr341 · 10-31-2012, 03:49 PM

Blackstone does give a TBN, not sure about oxidation or nitration. Haven't heard back, I guess they haven't received it yet.

PabstBlueRibbon · 11-01-2012, 01:32 AM

The PS Fleetguard number is 3630 and I the Motorcraft is FL1995

NH2112 · 11-02-2012, 07:42 AM

I think Blackstone charges $22 for the complete analysis including TBN. It's been a couple years and my old reports don't show the prices. But I'm sure the website gives costs.

nbkr341 · 11-13-2012, 02:39 PM

Blackstone called today and said they had completed the analysis. Apparently there was about 1/5 of a percent of coolant in the oil, and there were signs of slight bearing wear. I'm wondering if the coolant could have come from the work on the oil cooler. I have a call into the shop and will see what they say. Hopefully there won't be any in the next sample. Blackstone said to run this new oil to 4-5k miles and have another sample done. I'll post the full report as soon as they email it.

And btw, the basic analysis was $22 and the TBN was $10 extra. And $2 shipping.

nbkr341 · 11-13-2012, 05:05 PM

Here we go.

So during this interval the truck developed a pretty significant oil leak, and the shop replaced the oil cooler gaskets. Is it possible that while the oil was leaking externally, coolant was getting into the oil internally? Or maybe it was introduced during the work on the oil cooler? I doubt the latter, because I took the sample maybe a week or two after having the work done, which I assume is not enough time for coolant to start causing bearing wear. I hope it's not a head gasket...

Edit: Is there a way to make the pic bigger?

NH2112 · 11-13-2012, 07:06 PM

I can't even make out the numbers on my iPhone, it looks like the text message format is pretty low quality and is nothing but a blur on the forum.

Did Blackstone give you any special instructions? Personally, I'd drain the oil after about 2000 miles, refill & change the filter, and send in another sample after your normal drain interval. Unless the bearing metals numbers are off the scale, a sample of one means nothing. That's the problem with oil analysis, it gets you worried about stuff that you wouldn't notice even after 100K miles without the analysis.

nbkr341 · 11-13-2012, 07:32 PM

I'll just copy and paste the concerning numbers and the comments.

JIM: It looks like you're getting a little bit of antifreeze in the oil. Potassium and sodium show the
contaminant. Maybe the oil cooler work did cause contamination -- we're not sure whether it would or not. If so, everything should improve next time. You're getting a fair amount of bearing wear here (see iron,
copper, and lead), and that's normally caused by antifreeze. Go ahead with the shorter oil change next time, and if everything starts improving then you're okay. If it looks like a problem we'll let you know. The TBN
read 5.2, still lots of active additive left in the oil.

Iron 153, average 60
Copper 45, average 4
Lead 43, average 7
Potassium 28, average 2
Sodium 58, average 10
Antifreeze percentage, 0.12%

nbkr341 · 11-13-2012, 07:34 PM

Over the phone, they recommended that I change/analyze it again at 4-5k miles. Is there any reason why I couldn't just drain enough for a sample when the time comes and see if any antifreeze shows up? Eleven quarts of Royal Purple ain't cheap.

NH2112 · 11-13-2012, 08:15 PM

That's why I just run NAPA 15W40, we have fuel trucks that have gone anywhere from 20,000 to 45,000 hours and still running strong on the stuff so I trust it. These trucks mainly idle about 18-20 hours a day and never really get up to and stay at operating temp, with the exception of when they're fueling aircraft. So they're basically used in the absolute worst way to run a diesel, but they just keep going. (We have 3 with DT466E, 1 DT466, 1 6B5.9T Cummins and 1 8.3l Cummins with a head bolt that's been broken off for at least 4 years LOL.

ETA yeah, just suck some out of the dipstick tube and send it in. Just make sure to pull it from at least a couple inches off the pan to avoid getting sludge in the sample.