oil analysis results

[labrador]

got the results of oil analysis

alum chrom copper iron lead tin silicon pot sod h2o oxi virc gly tbn
stb 0 0 9 22 7 2 11 4 12 0.1 <2 13.6 ND 7.1

port 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 1 0.1 <2 12.8 nd7.1

gen 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 <.1 <2 13.6 nd 7.4


soot was.3 .4 and .1


oil as changed 6 wks ago and run around only 2 hrs since, port main reported trace level of fuel
Engines are cummins 330b with 1290 hrs gen is phasor 8.5kw with 707 hrs

Can anyone give me an idea of what all this means? I know there are only 2 hrs since an oil change however it was done with a reverso so there had to be some of the old oil there plus mixing during the 2 hrs run.

 

[Genesis]

Stb has indications of dirt/dust ingestion (copper, iron and lead are high for 2 hours, so is silicon which is dirt.) Copper and lead are typically bearing wear while iron is typically cylinder wear.

With only 2 hrs on the oil whether that's residual from the last oil in the engine (e.g. what didn't drain) or something real is indeterminate. Why did you pull samples after only 2 hrs on the oil? Was there something going on that led you to do that?

I wouldn't jump to conclusions with 2hrs on the oil but the disparity between the engines is quite material. If there's something real going on at 100hrs the wear metal levels on Stb are likely to be VERY elevated.

 

[labrador]

It's a contract I have on a boat, oil was changed 6 wks ago after a trip to the Bahamas and owner went back up to Canada. Only 2 hrs due to maintance and sea trial after owner went home.

 

[Genesis]

I suspected that might be the case. I don't like the STB numbers but the problem with them is that you don't know if they resulted from a drain that wasn't real (e.g. a "visual" oil change) or an incomplete drain.

Unfortunately there isn't much you can tell that's accurate on an oil draw with only 2 hours of running time, other than gross contamination (e.g. glycol presence.)

 

[DCMY #92]

In my experience it's hard to draw much of a conclusion from only one oil sample, let alone one taken with relatively fresh oil. If there were a serious fuel dilution or coolant contamination issue it would tell you, but that's about all. I have found the greater value in oil analysis to come from the trend you see from regular repeated sampling (preferably using the same oil and lab). Also, I have seen cases where the sampling technique seriously effected the results (contaminated the sample).

How were your samples collected?

 

[labrador]

Surveyor took them from the dipstick tube

 

[REBrueckner]

Can't draw any firm conclusions except I'd be concerned.

If you haven't paid yet, I'd suggest changing the oil in the port engine and refilling with the same brand as was used in the stbd. I'd tell the owner you will set aside say $10,000 in escrow with your lawyer towards a possible rebuild and will have another oil analysis at 100 hours. If the analysis shows normal results, the seller gets the money. If they are elevated, you keep the money.

 

[saltshaker]

got the results of oil analysis

alum chrom copper iron lead tin silicon pot sod h2o oxi virc gly tbn
stb 0 0 9 22 7 2 11 4 12 0.1 <2 13.6 ND 7.1

port 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 1 0.1 <2 12.8 nd7.1

gen 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 <.1 <2 13.6 nd 7.4


soot was.3 .4 and .1


oil as changed 6 wks ago and run around only 2 hrs since, port main reported trace level of fuel
Engines are cummins 330b with 1290 hrs gen is phasor 8.5kw with 707 hrs

Can anyone give me an idea of what all this means? I know there are only 2 hrs since an oil change however it was done with a reverso so there had to be some of the old oil there plus mixing during the 2 hrs run.

Did the owner perform oil analysis on a regular basis? Had to say what's going on, if anything, but the numbers on the starboard engines are less than ideal. I have better numbers from a 2600 hour 16V92TA that has no cross hatch on 10 cylinders. Not sure how you should proceed but I would talk to a good Cummins guy. Give Tony Athens of Seaboard Marine in Oxnard CA a call. He know those engines better than anyone and is a great guy to deal with.
http://sbmar.com/index.php
I would look into getting a thorough mechanical survey done unless the owner is willing to knock some money off and you're willing to roll the dice.

 

[labrador]

Thanks Jack, sent Tony an email and hopefully will get his input.