Purolator Oil Filters

[Scott P]

Maybe the high silicon led to more wear giving a higher copper number?

[sdeeter19555]

Maybe the high silicon led to more wear giving a higher copper number?

No.

 

The silicon isn't dirt...its an additive. The copper is leached, not worn.

[Scott P]

It's been a while since I've done an UOA or read the boards over at bitog, but I was always led to believe that a higher silicon content indicated dirt. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[sdeeter19555]

It can be, but you would see other wear metals spike with it, and you're not seeing that in this UOA...I want to remember that its mainly used as an antifoaming agent? And RTV is silicone sealer...it leaches into the oil also.

 

Again, based on other UOAs I've had with Schaeffer and other UOAs I've read for similar 6.0l's, mine is "normal". I was all but dialing the Dealer with my first high copper UOA, but after reading other's experiences (even the Corvette), its the nature of the beast.

[gone_fishing]

I wouldn't consider 15ppm of silicon really that high and would put it in the range of 'normal'. Ideally you want to see it as low as possible, as sdeeter mentioned almost all oils have some as an anti-foaming additive (from what I've seen 5ppm on average) . Most UOAs on new engines that are still breaking in will show high silicon numbers from sealers too. These numbers usually lower over time. Here is some good info from Blackstone on silicon in oil: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/the-silicon-bugaboo.php