Just got back my oil analysis from Blackstone labs (7900 miles on the oil/35K on truck) and they mentioned the potassium and aluminum level were a tad high...AL was 8ppm whereas should have been 5ppm. Anyways does anyone know of a way to make sure I do not have a head gasket leak or any type of internal coolant leak...Isn't the head gasket the most likely place? How do I tell if even a small amount is getting through...it is an 03 and I noticed the coolant level was down about 2 gallons the other day...is this normal for a 3 yr period? I haven't added any but the 2 gal since new...any ideas on what to do to check things out and make sure there is no leak?

 

I haven't added a quart of antifreeze in 8 years.

BTW, time to change the oil.

 

2 gAllons? I say you have a problem there. Very well could be a head gasket or a craked head.

Take it and have a pressure test ran, should tell you if you have a head gasket problem and the cylinder it is on.

 

My first guess would be no. Wait, let me think about that twice...... No, No.

My '03 just went through it's 100k tuneup and wasn't missing a drop of coolant. ($45 worth of new stuff from the dealer replaced the old stuff)

With 7900 miles on an '03 it would still be under warrantee. Of course, if you did a typo and left out a zero and it was actually 79,000, it would still be under warrantee.

 

Thanks for the imput guys...

FMB, my truck has about 35,000 total miles, but I had about 7900 miles on the last change of oil...that's what the blackstone guys said to go for...7900 miles on the oil.

I may have to have it pressure checked, but I was wondering if pressure checking will detect a small leak or not? Anybody know a flourescent dye that will work in this HOAT type coolant for an 03? I will take it to my dealer to see what they say, but I don't really trust them to do a thorough checkup...I may have to apply a little pressure if I keep losing coolant...

 

Yeah there is an amount of pressure lost vs amount of time, so if there is anhy leak at all then it will show, small or big

 

Motors under warantee, take it to a good dealership,with someone that knows how to fix it.

 

Greasefire
I have the 03 also and my level is about one quart above the add mark on the overflow bottle. Never added any coolant in three years. During the first year I was losing coolant from the pipe plugs on the top passenger side of the block. Torqued them up and no leaks since. I don't think 8 ppm is indicating head gasket problems. What was the potassium count, you didn't say? If coolant was present the report would state that...no worries. I think your choice of burning WVO may effect the oil report more so, not sure

 

I have an 03 also and my potassium level was 23ppm on my last oil change. 22,000 miles on truck and 5,200 miles on oil (Valvoline Premium Blue)
The precent antifreeze box has a ? in it. (Blackstone Report) They suspect antifreeze contamination but I have really not added any antifreeze. Last fall I added about a quart and marked a line on the puke tank so I would have a refrence level. I only have about 3,000 towing miles since last fall but I can detect no change in the level. The lowest my potassium has ever been is 22ppm in five samples and they have always had a ? in the % antifreeze box.
So based on your info and mine I'd say you definately have a leak somewhere. You and I both need a pressure test done and I am really starting to question Blackstone's potassium numbers. I'm also interested in the potassium numbers that you have been getting from Blackstone?
Also what type and brand of oil are you using? I have always used Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40 and was suspecting the oil and ask Blackstone about potassium levels in Valv.PB. They said Valv.PB dosent use potassium in there oil and they suspect antifreeze contamination. So the amount of coolant loss your seeing seems to say you, for sure, have a problem.

 

With a Potassium level at 22 ppm the lowest in five reports I would say ya you have a problem. My pot. count has never been higher than 5 ppm and greasefire's reported his AL. at 8 ppm. Still waiting what he says for Pot. I also use PB15w40. I think if we could get bobthe oilguy to respond on what is normal that would help. HEY BOB you out there!

 

My Alum. numbers were 9ppm for the first sample and then 4 and 5ppm for the next 4 samples.
What does a high Alum. count mean?
Yhea, I recall reading posts from bob the oil guy. He really seems to know his way around the oil can. Hope he throws in his two cents or even a dime would be good.

 

bump back to top

 

Hey guys, thanks for the imput...it really helps to look at others analysis #'s...Here is my report...I have posted it in my photos so hopefully you will be able to see all of my #'s from all of my Blackstone analysis...3 to date...

Blackstone mentioned the pistons were Aluminum so that could be where its coming from...but I'm not sure on potassium...from the coolant I guess??

I am running the predator III for the last 6K miles. I usually have very clear engine oil--almost new until about 4-5K miles and it starts to darken...one of my relatives has an 04 that turns black as soon as you change the oil and start it up, so I thought I had a pretty tight engine...and that's what Blackstone put in my antifreeze spot too...a ? mark. I don't know. I know I want to make sure I have a good running engine before I try running my WVO because I want to monitor it closely and make sure nothing changes that will hurt the engine...Anybody out there done an analysis on a 03+ running on WVO? That would be interesting...

Anyways...You guys can take a look at the numbers in my photos:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...0&ppuser=39239

See what you think...Also, does anyone know how long the pressure should be allowed to drop? It has to be a small leak to only let 2 gallons out in over 3 yrs. Is an hour about right? My dealer isn't real thorough sometimes I feel...so some advice would be nice so I know what I'm talking about...I have an appt. for Fri morning...
Thanks again...maybe we can get to the bottom of this disappearing pink coolant...

 

my potassium level also took a jump this last sample, from 13 to 29.

 

Just top off your coolant level and monitor it... if you have to add more monthly, every 1K miles or more frequently I'd be concerned - otherwise just drive it and don't worry about it if your oil is in good shape.