Jump to content

Oil analysis results

hiking_mike
 Share

Recommended Posts

hiking_mike Enthusiast

hiking_mike

Posted
Posted

I have an 07 LMM Duramsx with 180k miles. Always changed the fluids when the wear life indicator shows 50%. 

I habve been sending in an anual oil analysis for a few years. 

Recently, I changed from Delvac to Synthetic Delvac 15w-40, with HOT SHots FR-3.

 

Anyway, my last test showed 250 parts per million of Potasium.

 

I have not added collant for almost a year.

I did a pressure test and the truck held presure for 15 min.

I did a test for exhaust gases in coolant and it was neg.

 

My question, is how bad is 250 PPM. I am not sure if I may have contanimated the funnel, etc or skewed the test results somehow.

 

I have oredered a new test kit, changed oil and put in no additives,.I will do a test every 1000 miles and pay atention to carefully keeping the test sample clean.

 

Any thoughts where most possible leake location. EGR cooler, water pump, head gaskets, intake gasket.

 

I have an appoitment in 2 weeks at my local GM shop to see if they can locate any possible location for any coolant contamination of the oil.

 

Any additional thoughts

 

 

 

Niners 365 Enthusiast

Niners 365

Posted
Posted

Question I have, if you did a test that shows negative for fluids in the oil, then how are you asking about head gasket? My question is, when you start up truck, do you have constant steam coming out the tail pipe? You can tell difference between exhaust and steam by the smell, and the vapors it gives off. 

 

 

 

  If you do have steam coming out for more than a minute, let's say 2 minutes straight, then I would say your head gasket is blown. If you check your oil, and you have coolant in it, then your head gasket is blown, but I would also change out your header gaskets, since your right thier if it is head gaskets. GM engines are known to blow head gaskets  between 125K and 180K depending on the driving  that has been done. 

 Let us know what you find out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

I’ve had my avalanche now 3 years. The first two I added coolant not much about 1 qt every 6 months. No evidence on dip stick. The last oil change the service person said there was some sludge at the beginning of the drain. I added bars leak right after the change. No problem since. I actually drove it more this year. I’m almost at 180K. My model year has some problems with head cracks. I’m a big believer on not panicking and try easy stuff first. So far so good. 

  • Like 1
64BAwagon Senior Enthusiast

64BAwagon

Posted
Posted

I had an LLY duramax that had blowouts in both headgaskets and still passed a test looking for hydrocarbons in the coolant. The oil also came back negative for coolant. The definitive test is if the upper radiator hose is hard after being run hard and then sitting all night. If you find that condition its full stop, always the head gaskets. 

Mine would push coolant out when towing. The engine would get up to temp and heat soaked and then you could watch the bubbles in the degas tank (overflow) 

Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote] HOT SHots FR-3[/quote]

^^^^^^^There's the reason.....

Using aftermarket oil additives with synthetic motor oils is not only unnecessary, it could disrupt the oil formulation and reduce performance. 

Edited by elcamino
Niners 365 Enthusiast

Niners 365

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I’ve had my avalanche now 3 years. The first two I added coolant not much about 1 qt every 6 months. No evidence on dip stick. The last oil change the service person said there was some sludge at the beginning of the drain. I added bars leak right after the change. No problem since. I actually drove it more this year. I’m almost at 180K. My model year has some problems with head cracks. I’m a big believer on not panicking and try easy stuff first. So far so good. 

 

10 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Be careful adding these addadituve until your engine. I had an 03 S10 w 4.3L and 3 previous owners b4 me. One of them added this same oil leak stuff in the engine. When the head gasket blew on it around 125K, we found that stuff allover in the heads. Like hard rubber pieces some size of a qrtr. We drained the whole engine out with gas, got as much as that gunk out as possible. Those pieces can cause some major catastrophic events in your engine. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Niners 365 Enthusiast

Niners 365

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, 64BAwagon said:

I had an LLY duramax that had blowouts in both headgaskets and still passed a test looking for hydrocarbons in the coolant. The oil also came back negative for coolant. The definitive test is if the upper radiator hose is hard after being run hard and then sitting all night. If you find that condition its full stop, always the head gaskets. 

Mine would push coolant out when towing. The engine would get up to temp and heat soaked and then you could watch the bubbles in the degas tank (overflow) 

 

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted
38 minutes ago, Niners 365 said:

 

 

I’ll go with a crate long block probably GM. 

Niners 365 Enthusiast

Niners 365

Posted
Posted

This site is having problems quoting tweets. I was wanting to know from 64BAwagon the part you mentioned that your truck would blow coolant out while towing. Blowing it out where? The tail pipe or the Upper hose yo mentioned? If it is tailpipe, then that is as well a sure sign head gasket is shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64BAwagon Senior Enthusiast

64BAwagon

Posted
Posted (edited)

It pushed coolant into the degas tank, the auxiliary overflow coolant tank. It would over pressure it when towing and the tank would blow coolant out the overflow. https://www.gmpartscenter.net/oem-parts/gm-radiator-surge-tank-84257137?origin=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiA5sieBhBnEiwAR9oh2uZ-v4zTszzLXaCTvR_zOoZEIPrzSRuCURm3r-Wjd8Wh8zuhhtafjBoCxQwQAvD_BwE

 

The crazy part is that it never pushed coolant out the tailpipe or into the crankcase (I had an oil analysis done AND tested the overflow coolant tank for hydrocarbons)  The gasket blowouts were sort of like a reed valve, it would push  cylinder pressure at certain temps and heavy loads into the coolant jacket. The sad part was that both heads had the blowout in the same place on the rearmost cylinder. Shortly after mine was built they changed the headgasket design. Too bad mine wasnt the update because that was a $4500 hit a couple of months after I retired. 

It was at the dealership for a week and they couldnt verify it was headgaskets based on the symptoms. 

Edited by 64BAwagon
hiking_mike Enthusiast

hiking_mike

Posted
  • Author
Posted

When talking to the oil analysis people with Hot Shots Secrete. They stated that I should really start to plan to investigate after a second oil test.

They also stated that Potassium in oil normally indicates coolant in the oil. The good test was no Glycol was present. As they explained, the leak could be very minimal and possibly only sporadically.

 

My main concern is if anyone is familiar with a reading of about 250 parts per million of potassium, as how actually large or small a possible coolant leak could be.

 

I have another test result that should be received in a week or so. 

 

I plan on taking the truck to a dealer that would have better leak down test equipment than I have, in an attempt to see if they can rule out where any coolant leak could be.

 

Glycol in the oil is the main culprit of causing damage to the engine. So if there is a leak, hopefully catching before any real damage is caused.

64BAwagon Senior Enthusiast

64BAwagon

Posted
Posted

Mine was at the dealer for a week and they leak tested it for long periods and came up with nothing. This was months after it first exhibited symptoms of pushing coolant out the overflow and the hard upper radiator hose in the AM. 

Niners 365 Enthusiast

Niners 365

Posted
Posted

Hiking_Mike, it would be a safe bet that your head gasket has blown. Before you cause more damage waiting on tests, I would just replace it. Also replace your oil pan gasket too. The stuff in that dextrose coolant, will eat the oil pan gasket.. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

customboss Senior Enthusiast

customboss

Posted
Posted
On 1/25/2023 at 6:27 PM, hiking_mike said:

I have an 07 LMM Duramsx with 180k miles. Always changed the fluids when the wear life indicator shows 50%. 

I habve been sending in an anual oil analysis for a few years. 

Recently, I changed from Delvac to Synthetic Delvac 15w-40, with HOT SHots FR-3.

 

Anyway, my last test showed 250 parts per million of Potasium.

 

I have not added collant for almost a year.

I did a pressure test and the truck held presure for 15 min.

I did a test for exhaust gases in coolant and it was neg.

 

My question, is how bad is 250 PPM. I am not sure if I may have contanimated the funnel, etc or skewed the test results somehow.

 

I have oredered a new test kit, changed oil and put in no additives,.I will do a test every 1000 miles and pay atention to carefully keeping the test sample clean.

 

Any thoughts where most possible leake location. EGR cooler, water pump, head gaskets, intake gasket.

 

I have an appoitment in 2 weeks at my local GM shop to see if they can locate any possible location for any coolant contamination of the oil.

 

Any additional thoughts

 

 

 

If you are getting annual oil analysis get the lab service to answer the potassium question. If they can’t get a better lab service. 

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,924
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    KirbyCo
    Newest Member
    KirbyCo
    Joined

  • Who's Online   7 Members, 0 Anonymous, 1,455 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      I will be doing that for sure, but I need to solve who has/ where I can find a bidirectional scan tool that will support OBD 1.5. I'm kicking myself because I ebay'ed a Snap On MT2500 that I didn't think I'd ever need anymore. D'oh!! I'd rather not buy another, so I'll contact a few local shops to see if they have one and how much they'd want to do the procedure. I'd rather have the ability to do it myself... I wish there was a modern tool that could do it all, but I'd have no idea what to buy.   The theory with the pulled timing is that it mimics a rich condition. The delayed spark causes incomplete burn and the O2 sensor picks up low oxygen levels. That's interpreted as a rich condition so the PCM pulls fuel and that shows up in the deeply negative fuel trims.
    • Chuck FB
      Joke Thread

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      An ultra wealthy man had the most beautiful daughter. But, there was a problem. Everything she touched would melt in her hands. No matter what, Metal, Wood, Stone. Anything she touched would melt. She could not feed herself. Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her. Her father was despaired. What could he do to help his daughter? He consulted doctors, scientists and anybody who could solve this problem. Finally one of them said, "If your daughter touches one thing that does not melt in her hands, she will be cured." He was overjoyed and came up with a plan. The next day, he held a competition. Any man who could bring his daughter an object that would not melt in her hands would be given billions of dollars to marry her. Three extremely intelligent and handsome young men took up the challenge. The first brought a very heavy steel rod, But alas, when the she touched it, it completely melted in a matter of seconds. He sadly went away. The second brought a beautiful diamond, knowing diamonds were one of the hardest substance in the world and would not melt. But alas, once she held it in her hand, it melted. He too was sent away disappointed. So now, there was one left He was very nervous & sweating. He approached the daughter & said, “put your hand in my pants pocket and feel what is in there." She did exactly what he asked. She felt something very hard. She held it in her hand, squeezing it as hard as she could. It did not melt & remained extremely hard. Her father was overjoyed. Everybody was overjoyed. She was finally cured. Nothing never, ever melted in her hand again. They married and they both lived happily ever after, raising a wonderful family. Question: What was in the the groom’s pants pocket??? Answer below ↓ M&Ms of course! They melt in your mouth, not in your hand. What on earth were you thinking?
    • asilverblazer
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      There's a bunch of tea leaves that you've read, but in any case the delayed timing is unusual. Not sure how that relates to the rich at idle vs. 'normal' while driving.   If you're in this deep, might be worth investigating, and re-learning the sensor. What have you got to lose? Plus, it properly fixes the timing cover leak.
    • asilverblazer
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      The only problem I have seen this cause is longer crank times. 
    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Injector is being sent off today for rebuild and I estimate I'll have it back in 10 days or so.   It may not be the injector...of course...now that I've torn down the intake again. But, let's rule out the injector and replace those spider legs that have been almost rubbed through.   The truck has always had negative timing and I'm reading "normal" timing at warm idle should be +16 or so. I'm negative 16 to 25 or more, and it's always been like that since I bought it.   A light turned on upstairs last night in the old noggin. Rare, I know...   This will be wild, if it turns out to be the cause!   In 2001, according to the old service documentation, the muffler was replaced. Why? I have no idea, it wouldn't have been rusted through by then. But they did a crappy job.   In 2019, another shop replaced it and noted the prior install was poorly done on the work order. "Exhaust system vibrates on crossmember". Except...I guess they just left it be? I believe the husband, the couple who were original owners, had passed by then. Maybe she said it's just not worth it to have the exhaust system fixed and declined repairs. Very few miles were driven between 2019 and 2025.   The exhaust system vibrates heavily on the crossmember and you can feel it and REALLY hear it, even today. Not always, but at idle, it gets going pretty good sometimes.   What if....   ....What if that's enough to trigger one or both of the knock sensors? Could it be tricking the sensors into sensing knock, so it's pulling timing aggressively? Pulling timing heavily means it's firing after the piston reaches full height which means incomplete burn which means the O2 sensor is sensing a rich condition, which means I've been chasing my tail, and what I thought was an inconsequential problem (janky exhaust) has been THE issue for this truck for 25 solid years?   That would be wild. Maybe it IS wild.   The service documentation thereafter, for years, shows visits for rough idle, replacing O2's, replacing the cat, replacing plugs and wires, a misfire condition, like they could never solve the issue. The injector has been replaced 4 times in 80k miles, that's just crazy.   The secondary theory....   The engine has clearly had a leak at the front seal for a very long time (the greasy trench...). I think the truck changed hands quickly ~2025 because there's Napa receipts from someone I don't recognize in the ownership history. They apparently replaced the timing cover seal, and they did a terrible job. There's RTV smeared all over and the leak I had reduced to a weep by snugging the front oil pan bolts is now a leak again.   HOWEVER....I read about replacing the crankshaft position sensor. Any time the ckp sensor is disturbed or timing cover is removed, the truck requires relearning, and that can only be done through a bi-directional scan tool. Skippy with the RTV probably didn't do the relearn procedure is my guess. His scan tool is lost in a pile of RTV goo somewhere.   So, it's very possible the sensor has been disturbed and the truck is just running on the old learn data but not setting a code for anything. The distributor has since been replaced and so has the camshaft position sensor, so all bets are off for that thing.   In the theme of one step forward, two steps back, I returned the accumulator for the AC. The gal I've been working with at O'Really's has been great. She refunded it under manufacturer's defect and we compared it to the replacement I ordered, and sure enough, the replacement is machined very differently (and a gauge actually fits on it!).   Got it home, installed it, started vacuuming it down.... and I couldn't get good vacuum.   The high side service port, where I replaced the old GM ball valve suspecting that was a source of the previous leak....well, I've clearly exposed whatever pre-existing crack in the line where the service port is welded, and made it much worse. Blessing in disguise? Except there goes another $25, now I'm waiting for a replacement AC line.   In 10-ish days ALL the parts will be here. Rebuilt injector, new exhaust system, new cat, new high pressure AC line.   Oh, did I mention the squeaking ISN'T coming from the AC pump? The truck still squeaks when started, and there were words after I started it with the new AC pump installed. But, there was more to replacing the AC pump for just a squeak. A truck with good working AC is something of value, for the comfort alone.   I've ordered a new harmonic balancer because, 30 years is a good run for one of those. Rule it out. The squeak may be something more sinister, though. I'm worried about that ckp sensor and if it was shimmed correctly, or if the timing set was installed correctly. The squeak may be coming from UNDER the timing cover.   At this point, once I get it put back together, I'm thinking I'll take a 50 mile victory lap and then promptly put it up for sale. This truck is cursed. Betty, from beyond the grave, doesn't want anyone messing with her Blazer. Or maybe she's getting revenge for 30 years of shop visits with that thing.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...