tesla440

Hey guys/gals,

I wanted to pick the brain trust's knowledge about my oil analysis. According to NPower, my oil sample came back with high levels of Silicon & Sodium, but with no Glycol present. They are saying that it's a coolant leak. But wouldn't the test have to show Glycol also present?

Also all of the other metals & Potassium levels were down from the last test 7500mile before.

Do you think that the sodium & silicon levels be high from burning WMO blended with #2?

Thanks!

dott

I don't know about sodium but silicon is basically dirt. Check or replace your air filter for sure. Make sure you stay on top of filter changes.

tesla440

That's what I'm guessing as well. I guess I'll need to clean my air filter every 6months now.

Anybody know about that Sodium level?

Dr.Dizzle

As dott suggested,high readings of silicon generally indicate the presence of dirt contamination from a leaking air intake system. The dirt would act as an abrasive and may lead to premature wear of the engine. Just be aware that silicon is also used as a anti-foam agent in some oil formulations. High readings of sodium are normally associated with a coolant leak;albeit it can be from an oil additive package.
Did the laboratory report provide you with any recommendations in regards to the next sampling and how to proceed?

tesla440

All it said was engine wear rate is normal, change the oil & fix the leak. I'm working on the leak I have. I pressure tested it this weekend & I loose about 1 psi per 20mins. It's a very small one. I still can't tell if its internal or external. I'm looking at pruchasing a UV die kit right now.

I compared the samples with what I had 15,000 miles ago. Iron & copper were a little higher, but all the rest was lower.

I have a feeling that I need to clean my air filter, which I will do tonight.

Lost Lake

Don't you just go by reading the filter minder thing on the intake? When it is red, you change the filter. Or am I wrong?

klx650a2

The filter minder could be reading right, but there could be a hole in a boot somewhere. Or a small hole in the filter.

Dr.Dizzle

I believe that the op no longer has a stock air filter housiong and currently has a modified housing according to the mods listed in the sinature section.

billmac

You might want to post your oil analysis results on bobistheoilguy.com website. They have a lot of people on that site that are very knowledgeable about oil analysis.

tesla440

I'll try the bobistheoilguy site.

I just finished up with everything. From what I can determine that I didn't have the oil filter tight as I usually do. So it had a small leak that was shooting droplet at the turbo propelled by the radiator fan. I'm assuming since I have a TAG that doesn't allow for the turbo inlet boot to sit properly it had a little dirt by the turbo. I've modified my TAG now so that everything sits flush. I've also clean my re-usable air filter as well. I'll be sampling again at the next 7,500 miles.

In the mean time I believe I've found my coolant leak. Its the water pump gasket seal that is leaking. Its not very much of a leak, just a very small seep. I'm just going to keep an eye on it and replace it as needed. Its only got 60,000 on it.

I'll post back once I get an answer back from bobistheoilguy site.

dott

Could you explain to me how a water pump leak can get coolant into the oil system? I haven't had my 5.9 apart, so I don't know how it looks inside.

tesla440

Dott I know that this is a far stretch, but you're right, it is very tough for a water pump leak to get into the oil. The leak is outside of the pump and with the radiator fan blowing it is pushing leak fluid towards the turbo.

I personally don't think that I have an internal coolant leak. The high silicon I believe is from the dirt getting in around the improperly seated boot at the turbo inlet. As for the high sodium levels, I'm going to guess right not that is it shown that way since I told then that I had put in regular Rotella T when actually it was synthetic. I think it was a different additive package than what they were comparing it to is why it showed higher levels of sodium.

I got access now to post on bobistheoilguy site. I'll keep everyone posted and hopefully confirm everything.

FMB

It might be getting in through there. Next time you have the air cleaner open, wipe a CLEAN cloth dabbed in CLEAN oil inside the airway on the downstream side of the air filter. Don't leave an oily mess, just a very light smear over a few square inches.

Next time you change your oil (7500 miles or so?), open the air filter up again and look at the oil smear you put there. It should be just as clean as when you put it there. If it has anything sticking to it (dust=dirt), that is just a sample of what is getting past your air filter.
Back to morning brew...

BigDiesels

How do you take your sample? I do mine with a suction gun through the dipstick. It's not ideal, but it is better than taking while draining from the pan.

Reason I ask is because the one time I did sample from the drain, I got higher Si (dirt) and Na (sodium) due to external contamination. Sodium could be from road salt as well, if they have applied any up there yet.

Lost Lake

I sample from the stream, just like a pee test at the doctor's office. Wipe down the outside, get the stream going and catch a sample mid-stream.

What are you getting in the draw tube when you push it down in the dipstick hole? Are you drawing from the bottom of the pan or the top? I suppose someone could find fault with any way of sampling, but as long as you're consistent it will help.