Question on engine oil and test running synthetic?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by RItrucker36, May 26, 2023.

  1. RItrucker36

    RItrucker36 Bobtail Member

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    I have a ‘15 DD15. Running synthetic rotella. The last few months the oil has had a red tint to it and the level keeps going up on my dipstick. Marked coolant reservoir and that has not gone down. Oil is not milky. Just got my analysis results back and it states the sample boiled when doing flashpoint test so positive for “water not coolant”. Anyone ever see this before? 945000 miles and 200000 on new head. Not sure what to check next. Thank you.
     
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  3. JB7

    JB7 Medium Load Member

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    Newer coolants and oils when mixed don't always turn milky. Used to be that way. Coolant reservoir has not gone down so that rules out coolant. Did the test actually say positive for water or is that your conclusion? Failing the flashpoint test suggests fuel dilution. Further tests can be run to confirm and quantify fuel dilution. Auto trans fluid is many times red but even if you had an auto trans don't see how that gets into the engine. And you would have trans problems from low fluid level. Any other fluid besides fuel you would notice a drop in the level.
    You say that the level keeps going up. Are you draining off the excess or running with it overfilled?

    Red Diesel, What is it?
    It’s known as red dye, red fuel, farm fuel, off-road diesel and even cherry juice, and it’s the same ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) you’ll find at your local filling station. The only difference is that it’s been treated to an oil-soluble red dye for identification purposes. What purposes? Primarily taxes. Red diesel fuel is taxed significantly lower than regular diesel fuel (i.e. clear fuel, or non-dyed fuel) because it isn’t intended for on-highway use.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2023
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  4. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    I'd bet fuel. Get some dye and a blacklight
     
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  5. RItrucker36

    RItrucker36 Bobtail Member

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    Here’s what they said and thank you all:


    The oil did seem to have a red tint to it. Sometimes that's nothing notable, but we wonder if it
    relates to the water we found. There was enough water to cause the sample to boil during the flashpoint
    test (which means we can't speak on fuel dilution). The bottle also had a milky foam in it, which is fairly
    common in oils that have been contaminated by water. We aren't sure the water is antifreeze since
    potassium/sodium are the elemental markers for that and they're low, but if there's no other explanation, it
    might be worth checking into nonetheless
     
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  6. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Stick your finger into the blowby tube. Water or coolant evaporates and will be noticed there because it rises. Milky or water droplets ypy'll know.

    Fuel can be felt in the oil. Sounds weird, but think of the feeling a dry wine feels in your mouth, fuel in oil will feel similiar between two fingers.

    You won't normally see coolant actually in the oil due to that evaporation, so you wouldn't be able to see it in a sample (unless severe) Often it will accumulate on the bottom of the fill plug.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2023
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  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    A drop of oil on a paper towel, any fuel will quickly separate and wick out around the oil.
     
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