FirstDodge

Just recieved my first oil analysis results, and I'm not sure how to feel about it given I don't know what the acceptable ranges are for the different components. They did tell me it was fit for continued use, but I would like to understand more about it . . . . . do you guys have any info you can share? I'm running Amsoil 15W40 HDD. The oil has 10K miles on it, and the truck has 20K (the truck in my sig). Here are my results:

Iron - 53
Chromium - 2
Lead 10
Copper 10
Tin 0
Aluminum 10
Nickel 0
Silver 2
Silicon 14
Boron 6
Sodium 0
Magnesium 76
Calcium 4155
Barium 0
Phosphorus 1398
Zinc 1653
Molybdenum 5
Titanium 0
Vanadium 0
Potassium 0
Fuel <1%
VIS @ 100 C - 14.18
Water <1%
Soot/Solids - 1.5%
Coolant - NO
TBN 5.57
Oxid - 1.0
Nitr 1.0
F-Soot 1.5

D-Roc

Looks like you are still breaking in a bit, lead and aluminum look a little out of the ordinary...other than that almost identical to my UOA with AME 15W40 in regards to the iron. I had almost the same mileage on my UOA with AME, too. I switched back to Delo because I have lower wear numbers with it. Just my 2 cents...

FirstDodge

This is what I mean . . . . .how do you know lead and aluminum look out of the ordinary? What are the normal ranges?

Does anyone have normal/acceptable ranges?

D-Roc

Basically, on a "broken in" or "newer" engine, your aluminum and lead values should be as close to zero as possible. Aluminum and lead are bearing wear. Your iron is a litte high- this is still pretty early for your engine to worry too much. It's easy to get concerned when your mileage is low, so keep sampling to establish a baseline and you will probably see a drop in these numbers soon.

Roperteacher

Who did your UOA??? I am like you, I am not very knowledgable on some of these things.. I get mine done from Blackstone labs and with your UOA you get a very DETAILED, and personalized analysis. THey tell you what looks good and why, or what looks bad and why. Some of my metals were a little higher than normal but they explained it as my first oil change with break in material etc. You can even call or write them and they get back same day with more detailed questions you might have. They also give universal averages and AVERAGES you YOUR particular ENGINE...

Roperteacher

Oh, on another truck of mine I had higher than normal Potassium levels. This USUALLY indicates coolant in the oil. THey called cummins for me and cummins stated that they had used a potassium spray in the production of my engine.. I was also running Shell ROtella T which uses small amounts of potassium as an additive. SO they saved me panic! LOLOL I switched oils to a different brand for the next change and sure enough, levels decreased and are now at 0..

D-Roc

Also, if you want some of the more detailed analysis and report explanation, try Terry Dyson,
www.dysonanalysis.com
a little more costly, but worth it.

drewblood

this might help

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...entid=13496&d=
I hope I did this right

FirstDodge

I use Oil Analyzers Inc. I bought the kit from Amsoil for about $20 including postage.

FirstDodge

Thanks!! At least this gives me a place to start to interpret the numbers.

FirstDodge

I found a helpful site on the Oil Analyzer's website. If you go to the site below and click on "User's Guide for Oil Analysis Services", it has some very helpful information on how to interpret.

According to the chart, the only reading that is not normal is the Iron at 53. Normal is between 10 and 40. However, it isn't "abnormal" until it hits 100, and "Excessive" until it hits 300.

http://www.oaitesting.com/

Robert373

Something to consider... The oil analysis says its OK for continued use, but as wear metals accumulate, the oil tends to become more "abrasive" and the wear tends to accelerate because of the presence of the wear metals.
And so on and so on...
What I am getting at is I would change it fairly soon, or at least monitor it closely.

FirstDodge

Yeah . . .I agree. Amsoil says that this oil with their bypass system (which I have) should be able to go 25K miles between changes. I was planning on going 20K. The analysis above is after 10K, and I'm thinking I will change the oil at 15K. I will test the oil then and see what the analysis shows.