Results back from Blackstone not so good

4555 Views 34 Replies 7 Participants Last post by vlamica, Sep 14, 2009

vlamica

Discussion Starter · Mar 24, 2009

Hello Ford truck fans,

Just got the results of my oil sample back from Blackstone labs. The results show high iron and coolant in the oil. I have added the pdf file as an attachment so you can see what it looks like. Chuckster57 has been very helpful throughout my rebuild and hinted that theses engines have an oil cooler mounted on top of the engine. Possible that some failed o-rings area allowing coolant to find its way into the engine oil? The engine doesnt seem to use oil and I havent noticed that the coolant level dropped in the last 2500 miles. I have only had the truck for 2500 miles and when i drained the oil from the original purchase it was cold in the pan and had not started in a couple of months. I wonder if the new oil had some residual from the first poor drain. Has anyone had experience with these o-rings? Its a 94 IDI Turbo.

Thanks Vinnie

21 - 35 of 35 Posts

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #21 · Jun 4, 2009 (Edited)

Time to make some smoke!

Hey great news!

Just got encouraging new back from Blackstone. Looks like Im ready to do some towing!

Here are the before and after results from Blackstone.

Vinnie

Greenie

· #22 · Jun 4, 2009

12 for iron seems very low. My readings have been much higher for years and the engine is still one that I would trust for any trip. If I think of it I'll post my Iron results that I've saved over the years - the sheets are 60 miles away but I'll try to remember to post them when I'm back there.
It's a great engine, I'm glad that the coolant issue wasn't serious.

chuckster57

· #23 · Jun 4, 2009

vlamica said:
Hey great news!

Just got encouraging new back from Blackstone. Looks like Im ready to do some towing!

Here are the before and after results from Blackstone.

Vinnie

It's too bad our dates for AZ don't coincide..Would have loved to BBQ'd and swapped stories at the campground...

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #24 · Jun 5, 2009

Greenie said:
12 for iron seems very low. My readings have been much higher for years and the engine is still one that I would trust for any trip. If I think of it I'll post my Iron results that I've saved over the years - the sheets are 60 miles away but I'll try to remember to post them when I'm back there.
It's a great engine, I'm glad that the coolant issue wasn't serious.

Hello Greenie,

Take a look at the report again. If you look to the right side column you will see the first test before the coolant repair. The Iron was 110! After the repair the findings are 12. I agree that 110 is too high based on their normal reading of 12. I really love this engine but when you start listening to all the noises is makes you start to wonder if something isnt eating itself up? Now with this report i feel better.

Vinnie

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #25 · Jun 5, 2009

Thanks for all your help...

chuckster57 said:
It's too bad our dates for AZ don't coincide..Would have loved to BBQ'd and swapped stories at the campground...

That might not work out this trip but there will be more. I want to see pictures of your trip. Im sure your truck will give you no problems.. it not even broke in yet... :lol:

Vinnie

chuckster57

· #26 · Jun 5, 2009

vlamica said:
That might not work out this trip but there will be more. I want to see pictures of your trip. Im sure your truck will give you no problems.. it not even broke in yet... :lol:

Vinnie

Will do...and bought a new HDD video camera for the trip too.

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #27 · Jun 5, 2009

Hey Chuckster57

Bounce over to Airstream Forums - Airstream Owners Community

Thats where i spend most of my time. Everything you ever wanted to know about airstreams and more.. im vlamica over there too.. you can check out my pictures.

Vin

chuckster57

· #28 · Jun 5, 2009

vlamica said:
Hey Chuckster57

Bounce over to Airstream Forums - Airstream Owners Community

Thats where i spend most of my time. Everything you ever wanted to know about airstreams and more.. im vlamica over there too.. you can check out my pictures.

Vin

Looks like I have to register to view...With a Jayco, might be like owning a Dirtymax and trying to register here :jester:

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #29 · Sep 11, 2009 (Edited)

Final Blackstone report in...

I thought originally that I would have my oil tested 3 times to see if the results improved after my repairs. In all 3 cases the truck was involved in some heavy towing conditions. I think im satisfied now that even though im new to this truck this engine has held up well for its age. Mileage is low at 108k and I think she has many more miles left in her...

Vinnie

chuckster57

· #30 · Sep 11, 2009

Glad to hear

Now we can start planning an IDI campout!!!!

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #31 · Sep 12, 2009

Hey Chuckster!,,

Im not sure I can camp with you until you get tested! :lol:

Yeah, Im glad the results came back clean. Not knowing the history of this truck I was a bit concerned. Lets plan the trip!

Vin

chuckster57

· #32 · Sep 12, 2009

Im not sure I can camp with you until you get tested! :lol:

I Actually THOUGHT about it when I did my after trip oil/filter change yesterday....Does that count???

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #33 · Sep 12, 2009

Admitting you might have a problem is the first step to recovery..

Works for me.

Vin

dieseldude73

· #34 · Sep 13, 2009

If I may point out: the coolant (when hot) is pressurized to about 10psi regulated by the radiator cap, and the oil pressure rides about 40psi or so. If its the cooler oil would be in the coolant because the oil pressure overcomes the coolant pressure. I'd reckon it was a leak in the head or headgasket that would let coolant slip down the cylinder walls. Is it using/loosing alot of coolant into the oil? Is the oil turning grey & thick?

vlamica

Discussion Starter · #35 · Sep 14, 2009

dieseldude73 said:
If I may point out: the coolant (when hot) is pressurized to about 10psi regulated by the radiator cap, and the oil pressure rides about 40psi or so. If its the cooler oil would be in the coolant because the oil pressure overcomes the coolant pressure. I'd reckon it was a leak in the head or headgasket that would let coolant slip down the cylinder walls. Is it using/loosing alot of coolant into the oil? Is the oil turning grey & thick?

Hello Dieseldude73,

I would suspect my problem was in the oil cooler tube. I think that the gaskets where the cooler attaches to the block were bypassing under coolant pressure when the truck was off. There were originally high levels of potasium in the oil indicating a problem. The only correction that i made was to reseal that entire cooler and replace those gaskets. The truck has had four oil changes since then and now that problem is solved. I think that the iron was high in the first report because i collected the sample right when i removed the drain plug. Now i let the oil drain out quite a bit to get a good flow and no chavings from the drain plug or residue at the bottom of the pan.

Thanks Vinnie

21 - 35 of 35 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.