peter-h
Line Up and Wait
After ~ 10 years of doing oil analysis and the results being uneventful (except after a rebuild following the SB569 crank swap, when the numbers were elevated for a while) I have just got the data back from a 35hr old sample (IO-540-C4D5D) and get 2x the average (for the engine type, and also my history) on copper, and 2.5x on silicon.
The sampling company comments
NOTE INCREASE IN COPPER. COPPER CAN TYPICALLY BE FROM BUSHINGS, BEARINGS, OIL COOLER OR ANY BRASS OR
BRONZE PART. NOTE INCREASE IN SILICON. SILICON IS DIRT CONTAMINATION. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A DIRTY AIR FILTER, VACUUM
LEAK, FLYING CONDITIONS, THE SAMPLING PROCESS, ETC. PLEASE CONTACT THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE REP FOR
FURTHER ASSISTANCE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR WEAR METAL TREND ON YOUR NEXT SAMPLE
I wonder what I should do? Do another sample after say just 10 or 20 hours?
In the past I got a spike on copper by using copper-loaded spark plug thread lube, but I don't use it anymore. OTOH this is the first post-Annual sample and while I do the 50hr checks, I didn't do the Annual so maybe something go into the engine?
The silicon might be an air leak perhaps? The air filter was definitely changed.
Could the air leak cause the extra copper to come off the tappets etc? However, all other metals are normal.
The engine runs fine, to spec, compressions very good. EDM700 data consistent.
The sampling company comments
NOTE INCREASE IN COPPER. COPPER CAN TYPICALLY BE FROM BUSHINGS, BEARINGS, OIL COOLER OR ANY BRASS OR
BRONZE PART. NOTE INCREASE IN SILICON. SILICON IS DIRT CONTAMINATION. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A DIRTY AIR FILTER, VACUUM
LEAK, FLYING CONDITIONS, THE SAMPLING PROCESS, ETC. PLEASE CONTACT THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE REP FOR
FURTHER ASSISTANCE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR WEAR METAL TREND ON YOUR NEXT SAMPLE
I wonder what I should do? Do another sample after say just 10 or 20 hours?
In the past I got a spike on copper by using copper-loaded spark plug thread lube, but I don't use it anymore. OTOH this is the first post-Annual sample and while I do the 50hr checks, I didn't do the Annual so maybe something go into the engine?
The silicon might be an air leak perhaps? The air filter was definitely changed.
Could the air leak cause the extra copper to come off the tappets etc? However, all other metals are normal.
The engine runs fine, to spec, compressions very good. EDM700 data consistent.
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