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Oil analysis indicates high aluminum...is this bad news?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 04 LowMax, Mar 19, 2014.

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  1. Mar 19, 2014 #1
    04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    Feb 3, 2013
    Alberta
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    C 15 cat, lots of hrs, lots of miles. My 6th oil analysis, always change at 12,000 mi. Report came back with al @ 23 compared to usual 2-4. Copper @ 9 vs usual 4 or 5.
    Lead at 11 vs usual 4 or 5. Report says "elevated al indicates possible piston, turbo, compressor, bearing, or thrust washer wear, abrasive and other contaminants within specified operating range". Recommended action, "check for lower than normal oil pressure, sample next service to compare/monitor". Anyone give me further feedbackas to if there is anything else I should be doing, or at what level do you say, park and rebuild? (It's an mbn that's had the ### re-####### a few months back), and has a recent turbo up-grade.
     
    04 LowMax, Mar 19, 2014
    04 LowMax, Mar 19, 2014
    #1
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  3. Mar 19, 2014 #2
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Never go by just one oil sample. I know it can be nerve wrecking, but you need to have two reports in a row to confirm.
     
    Heavyd, Mar 19, 2014
    Heavyd, Mar 19, 2014
    #2
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
  4. Mar 19, 2014 #3
    Johny41

    Johny41 Road Train Member

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    Ontario, Canada
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    Where have you done the oil analysis?
    I used to do it at Petro ts, Spedco with oil change/PM , but they sux bad; my motor was supposed to be dead 4 years ago, but keeps running.
     
    Johny41, Mar 19, 2014
    Johny41, Mar 19, 2014
    #3
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
  5. Mar 19, 2014 #4
    jameslawton

    jameslawton Light Load Member

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    May 1, 2013
    Tulsa OK
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    Change the oil filter and cut the old one open and see if there is metal in it
     
    jameslawton, Mar 19, 2014
    jameslawton, Mar 19, 2014
    #4
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
  7. Mar 19, 2014 #5
    mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    Retired on bended knee
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    What Heavyd said. Never go by one sample
     
    mtoo, Mar 19, 2014
    mtoo, Mar 19, 2014
    #5
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
  8. Mar 19, 2014 #6
    04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    Feb 3, 2013
    Alberta
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    I take the samples to a lab called ALS Tribology. They have labs in US, Can, Australia, Europe, and S America. I am also going through a lot of oil, about a gallon every 2000 miles. I used to have to add only a gallon between changes. I do have a leak under the p.s. pump, will have to put a new gasket there.
    I suspect the air compressor could stand to be changed out too, so I guess before I point fingers at the engine, I should address those 2 things.
     
    04 LowMax, Mar 19, 2014
    04 LowMax, Mar 19, 2014
    #6
  9. Mar 19, 2014 #7
    hatlesstrukr

    hatlesstrukr Light Load Member

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    Jan 30, 2010
    El Paso, TX
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    A gallon at 2000 means you should schedule an inframe overhaul NOW. Try adding a gallon of Lucas as a stopgap until it goes into the shop.
     
    hatlesstrukr, Mar 19, 2014
    hatlesstrukr, Mar 19, 2014
    #7
    Cranky Yankee Thanks this.
  10. Mar 20, 2014 #8
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    High oil consumption , I would be checking the turdo for passing oil into the exhaust. First thing is to remove the exhaust from the turbo, with a small mirror look to the tips of the turbine if it is damaged, a piston is coming apart.
    To do the test buy a bottle of oil dye Cummins sells it and is available at most every truck dealership, the part # is 3376891, if you have oil in the exhaust after doing the test, remove the turbo, if there is oil in the manifold then it is a piston coming apart. usually a cooling nozzle is broken and should be found on the oil pan plug. punching the oil filter and looking for aluminum flakes is a good idea.
    The best place for Lucas is on the shelf.
    Just a thought!
     
    JohnP3, Mar 20, 2014
    JohnP3, Mar 20, 2014
    #8
    04 LowMax and snowblind Thank this.
  11. Mar 20, 2014 #9
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Green Bay Wi
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    I ran lucas in an old tired engine for 2 years
    until it was about half lucas half 40W
    by then I had saved enough to buy a brand new engine
     
    Cranky Yankee, Mar 20, 2014
    Cranky Yankee, Mar 20, 2014
    #9
  12. Mar 20, 2014 #10
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

    1,557
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    Jan 6, 2010
    Winnipeg, mb
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    Sounds like a scuffed liner. Is expect the reading to be higher. You should pull the pan.
     
    allan5oh, Mar 20, 2014
    allan5oh, Mar 20, 2014
    #10
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
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