RHC

Is there a need to be concerned about the following Oil Report:

The oil i use is rotella T 15w/40

@5,550 mi----------@9,400 mi-----@15,715 mi------@21,239 mi

Aluminum-----7------------5----------------6-----------------7
chromium-----1------------1----------------1-----------------1
iron-------------42----------20---------------18---------------14
copper---------12------------3----------------4----------------4
lead-------------3-------------1----------------2----------------1
tin---------------1-------------0----------------1-----------------0
molybdenum---78----------11----------------2----------------2
nickel------------0------------0----------------0-----------------0
manganese----3------------1------------------1----------------0
silver------------3------------1------------------1----------------1
titanium--------0-------------0-----------------0----------------0
Potassium-----35-----------23---------------51---------------50
boron----------114----------15-----------------2----------------1
silicon----------30-----------10-----------------7----------------4
sodium---------7------------3-------------------2----------------4
calcium---------3956-------3093------------3761------------3595
magnesium----8------------9-----------------6-----------------8
phosphorus---1189-------1025------------1026------------1084
zinc-------------1297-------1173------------1177------------1238
barium---------18----------2-----------------1-----------------0

Tested values @ last mileage <0.5% fuel POS antifreeze 0.0% water insolubles TR (trace i guess)

The last two Analysis i had the oil report said i had high Potassium levels which suggest coolant contamination problem.
I have checked my coolant level and marked the coolant recovery bottle, the level hasn't changed.
I undestand the first test and possible the second test the motor wasn't broken in yet.
Cranks and runs
great. Has anyone had engine trouble with thier CTD that started out with coolant leak.

Thanks for the replys

bulabula

I'm certainly no expert in reading oil analysis, but am curious if that is the same oil since 5500 miles? If so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Potassium can indicate antifreeze inhibitor or engine wear. And if that oil's been in there during break-in, its probably from normal break-in wear and nothing to worry about. After you drain it, keep an eye on it.

Did you pop for the TBN?

Personally, I wouldn't spend the bucks on OA or even do extended drain sessions until the engine is broken in or with a couple of oil flushes - and with any mileage under 20K its probably safe to say that the engine isn't completely broken in yet.

FYI, here's a VOA for Rotella T found at Bob is the Oil Guy site:
Iron 1ppm
Chromium 0ppm
Lead 0ppm
Copper 0ppm
Tin 0ppm
Aluminum 0ppm
Nickle 0ppm
Silver 0ppm
Silicon 2ppm
Boron 0ppm
Sodium 0ppm
Magnenesium 20ppm
Calcium 3322 ppm
Barium 0ppm
Phosphorous 1326ppm
Zinc 1499ppm
Molybdenum 0ppm
Titanium 0ppm
Vanadium 0ppm
Potassium 0ppm
VIS@100C 15.12cSt
Tbn 10.36

Note that moly can also be an anti-wear additive or indicator of engine wear. That VOA (from a couple of years ago) says that Rotella T doesn't have any moly, yet your initial reading indicates the presence of moly. I don't know if Rotella has updated the mix to add moly.

Who did the analysis?

tony

The factory oil has boron and moly. I have a similar problem with elevated potassium as do a very large number of people. I called Cummins and was sent an oil quality bulletin that states potassium is a problem if the level increases 20 ppm over new oil. The only reason I bought my truck is the Cummins engine, and I have what could be a major problem. If I have to let the dealer make an attempted repair and not a Cummins mechanic, I will trade in the truck on a GMC instead.

I think there is a quality issue with some component on the 3rd gens; perhaps a porous castings or head gasket. A TDR member has changed the oil cooler as a repair. I wish him luck, but it seems like oil in the coolant would be more likely or least just as much a problem. If this were the culprit, it seems like the only time coolant would enter the oil would be for a short time after shutdown and if the idle oil pressure is below 20 psi.

Geico266

And to think some people run used oil in their fuel?

Tom

Geico266,

My sentiments exactly.

tony

What does this have to do with this discussion?

VPI

My potassium levels have been rising over the last few samples. It was at 27 ppm at 19,000 it was at 15 at 10,000. I will be changing the oil in the next few days and sending another sample off. I have lost some coolant but I can't detect it in the oil. I am running valvoline premium blue and changing the oil every 150 hrs which equates to about 3500 miles with my driving habits.

RHC

bulabula, it was Blackstone Laboratories that checked it

Geico266

Sediments or sentiments?