I got my first oil analysis back today. I have had the truck almost 10000 miles and sent the oil off on this change to check on levels. Chromium came back at 9PPM. Was notified that that was high, should be 3. This could be due to the elevated Silicon levels at 19. Check air filter. Well, I was doing a test on my air filter efficiency. I HAD a K&N, and have read all of the naysayers but have always had good results, until now. I put a paper in when I changed the oil to do a complete analysis to compare it to the K&N. Time will tell. The good thing was that all other metals were right in line and they said if I can get the silicon and chromium levels lower, I can go 6500 with no problem. No fuel or antifreeze. The truck has had a K&N for about 15K and was properly maintained. Just for those that don't believe they are getting dirt in their engine because they didn't have any dust behind the filter, I didn't either. I just hope it dosen't have a negative effect on longevity.
Chris

 

My last truck had a Chromium of 1965 and a Iron 1270
That one had to go!

 

I'd be very interested to hear the results. I am just buying a '97 CTD with a K&N. On PSD's (where I am just switching from) the K&N has been proven to under perform compared to the larger paper filters that are featured in the aftermarket intake systems (or the DIY clones). I made one for my PSD and the filters lasted longer owing to big size and increased intake capacity substantially over stock. I'd think building a DIY intake for the cummins would be cake.

Big Jimmy

 

My last sample came back at chromium of 3 ppm, and silicon of 97...so I don't think the two are that much related, or at least not as in high chromium being caused by high silicon.

 

TRCM, maybe your Silicon was from gasket material or something? What would you think the Chromium would be high from? I did tow a good bit on this oil sample, around 7K lbs up through the mountains. I just don't want the engine to wear out prematurely.
Ratsun, what caused your engine to have such high levels? Was the a catastrophic failure?
Chris

 

High silicon and chromium can also come from poor sampling practices or opening the engine up for repairs during the sample period.
Just doing a valve adjustment during the sample period can skew the numbers.

 

Now that you mention it, what would be an acceptable collection procedure? I will tell you how I did it, (it is probably wrong, so don't laugh too hard ). I opened the drain plug for a little bit, mine has a really big plug that is unscrewed with a 3/8 drive. Let it drain for a few minutes, then closed it and got my collection bottle ready, then opened it back up and filled it by putting it in the stream, the plug was not completely removed, as it is about a 3/4 to 1" hole when it is removed. Would the threads from the plug skew the numbers? I hadn't thought of that.
Thanks Infidel, you seem to be the Big Daddy on these trucks and wrenching practices.
Chris

 

Chris, most of the oil analysis experts would say you blew it. Just turning the drain plug can introduce metal and dirt from the plug. Remember we're talking ppms here, it doesn't take much.
You would have been better off to get messy and collected your sample mid way though the oil drain without closing the plug.

This is the way I do it.
What's nice about this way is you don't have to drop your oil, you can decide by your sample results if you want to run the oil longer.

All from the hardware store. Buy an 1/8" NPT X 1/4" compression valve
(these are common for ice makers and swamp coolers), a 1/8"X3" nipple and
3' of 1/4"plastic tubing.
With the engine off but warmed up connect this setup to the plugged 1/8" port on top of your oil filter housing, hand tight no Teflon tape. Start the engine, open the valve and run oil though the tubing into your oil fill spout to flush it out for awhile.
You can now take a sample with great control with the
sample being the only loss of oil. Shut down the engine, open the 1/8
valve to let oil in the tubing drain back then remove it and replace the
plug. If you like leave the valve in place and just remove the tubing.
Plans may have to change if you are using the filter port for a bypass filter, but most bypasses have a sample port.

 

So you send in your oil and they take a look at it and tell you what’s inside of it and probable causes for this?

 

Infidel, after I thought about the PPM and how I got the oil sample, it would make sense that I might see some elevated levels from the movement of the drain plug. Oh well, maybe I don't even have an issue after all, I will still keep a paper filter in anyway, I can't tell a difference except the turbo is not as audible with the paper.
Chris

 

Ratsun, what caused your engine to have such high levels? Was the a catastrophic failure?
Chris[/QUOTE]
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A 45 minuite drive with no water in it!
Frost plug (the one in the middle of the block at the back between the bellhousing and the head) fell out one morning on the way to work. I guess it happened when the engine was still cold because there was no steam or anything and since there was no water around the temp sender it never really got the gauge up. It was cold for around here (-5c) and knew somthing wasnt right after not getting heat out of the heater so I pulled over and had a look but seen nothing odd? kept going, got to work and checked it out after the shift ended. No water in the rad and a full overflow bottle. No water in the oil HUMMMMMM so I figured I had blown the HG. I assume the Chromium and Iron in my case were the rings in at least one cyl scuffing a wall? I knew it was hurt