Well I got my oil sample analysis back. Not sure if I should be too concerned. Here are the results. 3 items of possible concern, everything else is normal readings. If anyone has any comments please respond.1999 6.8l V-10 67500 milesIron 40ppmChromium 3ppm **just above normal, indicates possible piston ring wearNickel 1ppmAluminum 9ppmCopper 3ppmLead 0ppmTin 0ppmCadmium 0ppmSilver 0ppmVanadium 0ppmSilicon 34ppm ** indicates dirt, silica sand (understandable in south Texas) ingestion of dirt possible air filter debris.Sodium 355ppm ** indicates possible oil defoaming agent, also dirt ingestionPotassium 9ppmTitanium 0ppmMolybdenum 20ppmAntimony 0ppmManganese 0ppmLithium 0ppmNo water presentSoot <.1All other items are normal. What I understand if there is piston wear or valve wear other metals, such as iron and nickel would be present or above normal. Ring wear could be from the dirt ingestion, thus the elevated silicon and sodium levels. The analysis indicates that flagged data ** does not indicate an immediate need for maintenance action. Abrasives (silicon/dirt) are at moderate level sodium is at moderate level, source oil additives or supplement, chromium is at moderate level possible source piston ring plating.If anyone has input, it would be greatly appreciated. I trust your wealth in knowledge and experience.

How often are you changing the oil and filter?make and type of oil, dino or synthetic?Make of filter, and series?I would be concerned that material from outside environment is getting into the engine. Oil and filter are not removing them.

How long since last oil change/mileage? How did you collect the sample? Who processed the sample?Bill

This is a used RV I am looking at purchasing. Unknown as to when oil was last changed or type. Obviously if I purchase that will be first thing I do.Sample was drawn with a vacuum pump directly into a container. JG Lubricants in Houston did the analysis. Air filter is a little dirty, could use changing. Here in South Texas we were hot and dry for the last 3 months, and the previous owners live and had it parked south of San Antonio about 50 miles. Dry, dusty and sandy loam, thus the silicon reading is my guess.

Unfortunately a single oil analysis is not that informative unless it has a history of other test results to go with it. What you are looking for is a CHANGE from previous tests. There are other tests that you can do such as a cylinder leak down test which may be able to tell you more about piston wear as well as the valve condition.

I would not worry. I would change filters.

Oil Sample Analysis - Should I Be Concerned | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

carringb
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
I'd suspect maybe a poorly seated air filter, but nothing to be worried about.

The v10's air filter is easy to install slightly out of alignment allowing some air to bypass. Also, some aftermarket filters have better gaskets than others. If you pull you air filter and there's is a chalky film behind it, your filter isn't fully seated. If this is the case you might improve driveability by cleaning your MAF Sensor.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2018
SidecarFlip wrote:
First off, you never xtract a cold sample with a vacuum pump, always a hot samnple from the drain plug. I'd buy the unit under condition that you change the pol and take another sample in 1000 miles. Sounds to me like you have some bearing issues, if it's a CAT, if it's a Cummins, fuel pump issues.
Reread post. Its a V10.
Marcela
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
That is what dirt ingestion does, wears the rings.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Sep 26, 2018
First off, you never xtract a cold sample with a vacuum pump, always a hot samnple from the drain plug. I'd buy the unit under condition that you change the pol and take another sample in 1000 miles. Sounds to me like you have some bearing issues, if it's a CAT, if it's a Cummins, fuel pump issues.
tinkerer
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
I had some similar samples from Cat on my Cat C7 which was somewhat disturbing. But when talking to a diesel mechanic he told me that it's important to do the correct procedure to do the sample. Warm engine fully and take a sample after some of the first oil oil is drained. I did this and my samples came back much better.:)
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 26, 2018
I would not worry. I would change filters.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Sep 26, 2018
Unfortunately a single oil analysis is not that informative unless it has a history of other test results to go with it. What you are looking for is a CHANGE from previous tests.
There are other tests that you can do such as a cylinder leak down test which may be able to tell you more about piston wear as well as the valve condition.
GJax
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
This is a used RV I am looking at purchasing. Unknown as to when oil was last changed or type. Obviously if I purchase that will be first thing I do.
Sample was drawn with a vacuum pump directly into a container. JG Lubricants in Houston did the analysis.
Air filter is a little dirty, could use changing. Here in South Texas we were hot and dry for the last 3 months, and the previous owners live and had it parked south of San Antonio about 50 miles. Dry, dusty and sandy loam, thus the silicon reading is my guess.
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2018
How long since last oil change/mileage? How did you collect the sample? Who processed the sample?
Bill
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 26, 2018
How often are you changing the oil and filter?
make and type of oil, dino or synthetic?
Make of filter, and series?
I would be concerned that material from outside environment is getting into the engine. Oil and filter are not removing them.

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Oil Sample Analysis - Should I Be Concerned

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