Oil analysis results and question(s)

[ScottM]

I have received the results form my first oil sample analysis. This is the very first one I have ever submitted since purchasing the airplane. Since I just finished doing the top I thought it a good thing to start. The reults need to be trended over several samples but on of the values was flagged high and I would like to know what it could mean.

The results are:

Al: 4
Fe 24.4
Cu: 45.2*
Ni: 13
Chrome: 3
Pb: n/a
Ag: 0
Si: 12
Mg: n/a

As you can see the Copper was 45.2 and it is labeled as an abnormal value. Waht could that mean? The only recommendation code they have it is to resample at next oil change and probable initial break in.

 

[jesse]

The only recommendation code they have it is to resample at next oil change and probable initial break in.

Sounds to me like it is the result of the top work that was done...Probably should sample at next oil change?

 

[NC Pilot]

Blackstone Laboratories has an excellent web site with explanations of where different metals may come from.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/aircraft_report_expl.html

Copper : Brass or bronze parts, bushings, bearings and oil coolers

Sounds like it may be the valve stems wearing into the bushings. I would probably go another 25 hours and resample. Also let your A&P or engine guy know and have him buy into doing the same.

Hope this helps.

 

[Steve]

Our research indicates more research is necessary...

 

[ScottM]

I just got the results of the lates oil change. Since the last one my Copper dropped from 45.2ppm to 24.3ppm which is normal. Everything else looked pretty good. So it really appears that the copper from the first test was just the valves breaking in. Aluminun stayed exactly the same

 

[ScottM]

With the third oil Changes and slightly over 100hours on the Tach since the top overhaul all values continue to drop. most dramatically was the copper as seen in the attached .pdf

 

[kevin47881]

Scott, here's a great web site that goes into great detail about oil analysis and oil in general. Hope it helps.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

[ScottM]

Scott, here's a great web site that goes into great detail about oil analysis and oil in general. Hope it helps.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

Thanks I'll look at that. There is not a lot of good info out there. Lots of OWT type stuff. So I have been sharing what I have been seeing with my own journey into oil analysis.

 

[Missa]

http://www.lycoming.textron.com/mai...ications/keyReprints/general/oilAnalysis.html

Lots of good stuff, note the fifth paragraph:

The amount of tin plating, copper plating, nitriding, etc., performed during manufacture has a definite relationship to the oil analysis reports. It is not uncommon, for example, to see what seems to be high copper content early in the life of an engine, only to have this content continually decrease as the engine accumulates time, and then disappear altogether.

Since you just did a top, some replaced part was probally just breaking in.