Making Oil---Pt.ll

[Bugsy]

I very much appreciated all of the feedback and all I can say is that I sniffed the stick...and detected no odor!!

I received the oil analysis today and admit I'm no wiser. The "comments" were limited to "possible minor fuel dilution" and an abnormally high sodium content (179) attributed to coolant and/or seawater. However---the water content was <0.1. Oh---and it was noted that there was a "high amount of dirt" also attributed to intrusion of coolant and/or seawater.

I use diluted water and Penncool 2000 as a coolant. The Penncool has a lot of sodium so the high reading MIGHT be the residue of the known coolant intrusion. If it's salt from seawater, wouldn't there be evidence of water---by observation or test result?

And only "possible" fuel dilution? Wouldn't the existence of fuel be positively identified on an oil analysis?

Tomorrow, I'll talk directly to the "guru" at the testing lab but for now, my plan is to again change the oil and filter----run her for a few hours---and run another sample.

The mechanic will come by and run another pressure test on the fuel system.
All I want is a stable oil level on the stick left by the residue of "clean" oil!!

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Don'e be afraid to call DD and ask their analysis.

 

[rmatt]

If you are making as much oil as you indicated and show no definitive cause in the analysis. I would ask how you took the oil sample. Did you start the engines before you took the sample to put every thing in suspension? How did you take the sample, with a oil suction device or drain from some where?
If the engine sat for awhile without running it, the oil will layer if there are contaminants. Different viscosity's will layer, fuel being an oil and obviously oil will float on water. I know some labs will say you have fuel dilution only after you attain a percentage of fuel in the oil and that varies by lab.

 

[SeaEric]

I'd like to know which lab you used? In my experience you can get different results from different labs. I'm still not fully convinced that oil analysis is accurate science as opposed to just snake oil. OK. I'm cynical. I admit it.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

As I mentioned before, did you ? the trans. Oil, if thre is a rear seal issue, it just may be possible to introduce oil from the trans to the sump and if same viscosity etc, will not show an issue in analysis..worth a looksee

 

[Bugsy]

Rmatt..Yes, I took the sample under required conditions. Canuck....I'm not sure how trannie oil into the engine oil could explain my "symptoms".

I'm presuming that the sodium content and increased fluid level is the result of the incursion of sea water as a result of the improper re-install of the oil cooler following the re-build.

I changed the engine oil and filter today. The mechanic is returning tomorrow. He knows what he removed or altered that MIGHT explain the salt water.

I'll report.

Thx

 

[Bugsy]

There was a fuel leak at a connection of a crossover tube to the block. That resolved (hopefully), I again changed the oil and will get another oil sample analysis but it APPEARS that the high sodium results from residue of the coolant additive which contains sodium.

Fingers crossed.

PS....Repeated assertions that contamination of the oil by saltwater was HIGHLY unlikely so unlikely to be cause of high sodium.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Good that you may have found the issue, however, when the rebuild was done, the start procedure includes leaving off the rocker covers, run the engine fuel system up to 80 psi and check those tubes for leaks. hope that the mechanic did not miss any other critical steps, you could have had a major meltdown.