oil analysis results

[ness5575]

so, in honor of passing 100k, i thought that I would get an oil analysis done just to see how the engine insides are holding up. I use M1 5w-30 and was at about 4500 miles on the oil (change it when the light tells me to, usually 4-5k).

All the wear components looked great - way below average.

The only negative was a higher than average level of potassium, which is indicitive of anti freeze in the oil. they said it was not at a level to be too concerned about,

but I am curious what possible causes there could be for this?

not sure if there is anything I could do to prevent this from happening again and/or from it getting worse??

[snoman]

Seals weeping in to crankcase but it may not be from coolant unless you are missing some regularly.

[ness5575]

coolant level is constant, so maybe just a slow leak...

[snoman]

I would not concern myself then, just keep a "eye' on it. You might switch to 10w30 mobile 1 though. I have used it for 15 years now and the only time I used the 5w30 was durring the winter when I lived in Montana for a spell.

[citydriver]

Intake gaskets would be the 1st place to look,but if the levels arent high enough for concern, I wouldnt worry about it....but if you a do a drain and re-fill of the coolant, you could add the GM Coolant Supplement (Sealer)GM Part No.3634621 ...which is pretty much just BARRS LEAK TABLETS...they come in a package of 6,but you should only add 2 at the most..it seals the imperfections between mounting surfaces of the coolant passages...The specs should be in your OWNERS MANUAL

[snoman]

You could also use a lower pressure cap too which I do anyway, even on new vehicals.

[sxmax]

I would say slow leak in the intake seals on the back side. At the shop where I hang out on the weekends they have usually done 2-3 a week with leaking seals. If you change them now you can save yourself some $$$

[snoman]

I would let it ride as minimal as it is because I have seen some gasket jobs on the intake go badly sometimes.

[sxmax]

I have been letting ride on my commuter car which is a lumina with the dreaded 3.1 which is widely know to have intake gasket problems. Mine actually weaps to the outside onto the manifold and I get that nice burning antifreeze scent everytime I get out of my car.

[snoman]

Try a lower pressure cap. People think I am crazy sometimes but I use a 7 PSI cap and 70% antifreeze to gain back boil temp lost by lower pressure and additional corrosion protection. I have been up Pike peak 3 times with one and through nebraska and southern Colorado when it was 105 degrees and have had no problems. It makes leaks a lot more tame if they do develop too.

[chris_kucia]

Intake gaskets would be the 1st place to look,but if the levels arent high enough for concern, I wouldnt worry about it....but if you a do a drain and re-fill of the coolant, you could add the GM Coolant Supplement (Sealer)GM Part No.3634621 ...which is pretty much just BARRS LEAK TABLETS...they come in a package of 6,but you should only add 2 at the most..it seals the imperfections between mounting surfaces of the coolant passages...The specs should be in your OWNERS MANUAL

The GM Supplement tabs are the same thing as Bars Leak Golden Seal. This is not the same as other Bars Leak products that are silver or copper colored, or the blackish liquid.

 

I don't know if I'd use the others, but the golden seal, and the GM Supplements, are primarily composed of crushed ginger root, which has the peculiar property of swelling when wet and exposed to air.

 

The supplement tabs don't dissolve, but simply disintegrate into the fibers, which float harmlessly through the cooling system suspended in the coolant. When a leak occurs, the fibers leak out with the coolant, and then they swell when exposed to the outside air, plugging the leak.

 

From what I understand, just about all the OEMs use these on the assembly line to prevent nuisance leaks - its cheap and proven - especially in aluminum engines which can have porous castings.

 

Its required for the 4.x series of FWD Cadillacs (from about 1985-1995) and recommended for the Northstars. In those applications (4.1, 4.5, 4.9, 4.6N*), all six supplement tabs in the blister pack are required, or two tubes of the Golden Seal powder.

[Elwood 2000]

Glad to see I am not the only soul on the planet who uses oil samples.

 

I have not used them on my truck, but about 90% of the equipment on the farm gets oil samples.

 

You need a "baseline". Do you have that? Previous oil samples to see where you are at? If not, take samples every change.

 

Are you "losing" anti-freeze??

[Steveo_supremo]

Intake gaskets would be the 1st place to look

 

Not on that engine, the Gen 3 engines have a dry intake. There is no coolant running through the intake manifold on your engine. I have replaced intake gaskets on 5.3s before, but for a vacuum leak, not a coolant leak. It's a pretty easy job because you don't even have to drain the coolant. I am a GM dealership technician BTW.

[ness5575]

You need a "baseline". Do you have that? Previous oil samples to see where you are at? If not, take samples every change.

 

Are you "losing" anti-freeze??

 

this is my first sample. i am planning on keeping the truck for a while yet, so I thought i would get a sample just to see how things are going. i think i will do another sample at the next oil change, and then maybe every 3rd or 4th after that.

 

my coolant level has been right at the same level for as long as i can remember!

[Mort]

ness5575,

 

You may want to check out Bob is the Oil Guy http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/. There is lots of info here about used oil analysis (UOA) and recommendations about labs. You can also post your results from your UOA and get lots of opinions from fellow enthusiastes.

Maybe you should try another lab next time just to confirm the original analysis or not. Antifreeze is not a good thing to have any amount of in the oil.

Have you changed your coolant yet? If not it is probably due to be changed if your truck is 5 years old and you have the Dex-cool.