Extremely high copper in UOA
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
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From: Slatington, PA
Extremely high copper in UOA
Hey guys, Blackstone called me the other day to say that the copper levels in my oil was extremely high. Over the last few tests it went from 3 to 4 to 14 and now its 218ppm! Fuel also went from averaging 0.5% or trace to 2%. What do you think is causing this? Their suggestions were turbo bushings, cracking oil cooler, valvetrain bushing, or even the injector cups. I could see it being the turbo since it doesn't whistle like it used to, and I do get some whiteish smoke when the engine is warm, but not hot yet.
Last edited by twags6; Dec 23, 2011 at 02:19 AM. Reason: attached pdf
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
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From: Indianapolis
Well don't they use copper as a layer on the main bearings? Not sure what else it could be, and fuel does a good job of thinning out your oil, not sure if 2% would be enough to cause alot of damage though. Damn that sucks, hopefully someone with a better answer will chime in.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
Out of those options only injector cups would cause both readings.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
Well don't they use copper as a layer on the main bearings? Not sure what else it could be, and fuel does a good job of thinning out your oil, not sure if 2% would be enough to cause alot of damage though. Damn that sucks, hopefully someone with a better answer will chime in.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. How would that copper get into the oil though??
I got my scanner to work, so the PDF is attached to the first post now.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Morehead, Ky.
Here is a good idea how bearings are made, and if your problem was bearings, you should have seen " High" lead at sometime also.
http://www.cat.com/cda/files/1408425/7/pehp8042.pdf
http://www.cat.com/cda/files/1408425/7/pehp8042.pdf
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,658
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From: Walpole, MA
Hey guys, Blackstone called me the other day to say that the copper levels in my oil was extremely high. Over the last few tests it went from 3 to 4 to 14 and now its 218ppm! Fuel also went from averaging 0.5% or trace to 2%. What do you think is causing this? Their suggestions were turbo bushings, cracking oil cooler, valvetrain bushing, or even the injector cups. I could see it being the turbo since it doesn't whistle like it used to, and I do get some whiteish smoke when the engine is warm, but not hot yet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
I don't see how the copper washer at the tip of the injector could be the source. When the injector is loose that washer burns up pretty quickly and you should have other issues as well. Might also hear the injector moving up and down....would be a knocking sound.
Excess fuel and high copper. I can see how a turbo could be the cause. Have you checked the shaft for play yet? Seems like the most reasonable place to start in my opinion.
I hope it turns out to be a simple fix.
Excess fuel and high copper. I can see how a turbo could be the cause. Have you checked the shaft for play yet? Seems like the most reasonable place to start in my opinion.
I hope it turns out to be a simple fix.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Indianapolis
I recind my earlier message and second the turbo bearings- forgot about the brass bushing in there. I know that a cracked cup wouldn't contribute any brass to the oil.
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Laughing Gas
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From: coquitlam,BC
Hey guys, Blackstone called me the other day to say that the copper levels in my oil was extremely high. Over the last few tests it went from 3 to 4 to 14 and now its 218ppm! Fuel also went from averaging 0.5% or trace to 2%. What do you think is causing this? Their suggestions were turbo bushings, cracking oil cooler, valvetrain bushing, or even the injector cups. I could see it being the turbo since it doesn't whistle like it used to, and I do get some whiteish smoke when the engine is warm, but not hot yet.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I'd send some reps your way, but I've done that recently and the RepCop tells me something about spreading 'em!
Huh?? Wait a minute, here..............
Oh, never mind.
Pop
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,447
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From: Northern Idaho
Twags, keep us posted, would be nice to know what was causing the rise in copper.