Oil Analysis

[rfitzpatrick]

I've been creating my engine's oil history -- by doing an oil analysis at my 500 mile oil changes. This is my second one, and it also states: "Coolant Contamnation In Oil Possible - Sources Are Blown Head Gasket And/Or Cracked Block/Head --".
I've a compression check of 60 +/- 1 PSI across the cylinders, I can not visually see coolant in my oil.
Any thoughts/suggestions of my findings so far?
Thanks

[midgetracer]

A lab can see coolant long before you can see it , or when it turns the coolant milky. Sodium in the oil is an indication of coolant leak since antifreeze has lot of sodium silicate in it. A slight seep of coolant would show up in the oil analysis. I would watch any future analyses for an increase in sodium, and also talk to the lab doing your analysis. They are usually very helpful. I managed an oil lab in my previous life.

[rfitzpatrick]

"previous life."


In your previous job, what are your thoughts on Sodium found at 44 PPM, up
from 42 PPM first sample, plz. I've done only two. It was the only item flagged on the report, and now the lab is closed till the 2nd.
Is PPM: Part Per Million?
Thanks

[midgetracer]

ppm is parts per million. 2 ppm increase in Sodium is within experimental error, but 40 ppm is significant, especially if the IR scan indicates glycol.

[Jack Shaft]

The fleets I worked for established a base line before taking action,oil samples are subject to contamination from a number of sources,not just the engine in question.test again at normal interval before taking action

[rfitzpatrick]

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" -- taking action"
Actually I do have a clue -- my number 8 head bolt was found with loose torque, it's double-nutted so probably that torque reading is in question--
Thanks

[Bob Bidonde]

Could it be that once upon a time, you removed Head Nut 8 to get the distributor out of the engine? This would enable coolant to leak into Cylinders 3 & 4.

[Werner]

The solution is likely.

I had changed the water nozzle and then had not tightened the two cap screws properly enough. This resulted in cooling water in the oil and oil sweating to the outside. Correctly tightened and the leak was eliminated.


You don't need to worry about these few PPMs. Action is only required if a lot of cooling water gets into the oil. You can see that with your eyes. The oil looks like coffee with lots of milk. Critical values ​​start at 5000 mg/l cooling water in the oil.

[rfitzpatrick]

I Love This Web-Site.

What I found, number 8 was stripped threads in the lower part, so an over-sized nut was used as a spacer, then a washer and then the correct head bolt. I've torqued it to 55 Ft Pounds when I did my torque check. I'm just not ready to change out a head stud right now. This is where I figure coolent is seaping into my oil