I was gonna search for this but for some reason the search function isn't enabled right now . . .

So, got my oil analysis back. Everything looks really good except for the Potassium number. It had the comment: "Data flagged for observation only; Potassium is at a MINOR LEVEL"

The Potassium number was 43 ppm. The only thing I can think of is that the roads have been sprayed a lot to help melt snow/ice, and I've read some state DOTs use potassium acetate. I'm wondering if when I drained the oil some of the road/debri/residue near the drain hole got pulled into the draining oil. Any thoughts?

Here's the pertinent info:
Shell Rotella Synth 5w-40
7500 mls on oil
15000 mls on engine
Fleetguard Stratapore filter
Paper Air filter and I live on a gravel road
About 500 mls towing camper, the rest back and forth to work, town, hwy mix.
Fuel is between 15-35% biodiesel

Iron 21
Chromium 0
Nickle 0
Alum 6
Copper 3
Lead 0
Tin 1
Cadmium 0
Silver 1
Titanium 0
Vanadium 0
Silicon 7
Sodium 2
Potassium 43 ***
Molybdenum 6
Antimony 0
Maganese 0
Lithium 7
Boron 7
Magnesium 61
Calcium 3302
Barium 0
Phosphorus 995
Zinc 1179
Fuel 0.5%
Soot < 0.1%
Water < 0.1%

 

I think you're probably right about some road debris in the sample.
Why are you doing oil analysis? Are you planning on running extended drains without a bypass system setup? Really don't think you want to run extended drains with the Rotella synthetic. You may be better off with Delvac 1 or Amsoil.
If you haven't already, I would highly suggest you visit bobstheoilguy: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

 

I'm doing the oil analysis because, as my wife tells me, I'm obsessive/compulsive.

funny you should mention the link, because I was just over there doing some searches. Saw a couple other newer cummins 5.9L with high potassium numbers. Hmmm.

From what I've gathered so far, high potassium can mean a coolant leak, it can also be an additive in some oils, can be residual material from the casting/assembly of the engine, etc. . .

 

You may want to talk to LIGHTMAN...he runs extended drains on Delvac 1 with great results, and he's running a dual-bypass. Notice he's also posted on bobstheoilguy site too.
just a thought

BTW, I don't do extended drains. Just change oil&filter every 7500 miles with Amsoil 15w-40 and a new Stratapore filter.

And, I ain't starting no oil war! Every individual has to decide what oils and filters they're running in their own vehicles.

 

Just to clear things up, I'm not doing extended drain intervals. I changed the oil when I took the sample. I was just curious about how the engine was doing and wanted to get some information through an oil analysis.

The search function is working again and I saw Lightman's report. His didn't have high potassium. There are several other threads on here I found using the search function that are showing high levels of potassium, however.