checking for bearing wear
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: denver
checking for bearing wear
My oil analysis has been showing elevated levels of lead (49) and iron (124), at 3500 mile oil changes.
Blackstone suggests bearing wear.
My oil pressure seems good, always at least 20 at idle and 45-50 at 1600 rpm.
The gauge is a mechanical one, so I am assuming its accurate.
The engine has 177,000 on it.
The last oil analysis also showed some fuel in the oil (the other analysis didn't show fuel, but still showed lead and iron high). I am guessing the fuel (3.5%) is due to a lot of short trips and cold weather.
I don't really hear any knocking, as far as I can tell, there does seem to be a slight knock (could just be how the diesel sounds?) at mid rpms and light load, but nothing at idle.
The engine runs fine, uses about 1 qt of oil every 1500 miles or so. Not much smoking. Starts right up down to around 20 degrees. The last time I checked compression it was around 375 cold.
The question is: is there any way to get a better idea of what the lead and iron is from without pulling the engine?
Blackstone suggests bearing wear.
My oil pressure seems good, always at least 20 at idle and 45-50 at 1600 rpm.
The gauge is a mechanical one, so I am assuming its accurate.
The engine has 177,000 on it.
The last oil analysis also showed some fuel in the oil (the other analysis didn't show fuel, but still showed lead and iron high). I am guessing the fuel (3.5%) is due to a lot of short trips and cold weather.
I don't really hear any knocking, as far as I can tell, there does seem to be a slight knock (could just be how the diesel sounds?) at mid rpms and light load, but nothing at idle.
The engine runs fine, uses about 1 qt of oil every 1500 miles or so. Not much smoking. Starts right up down to around 20 degrees. The last time I checked compression it was around 375 cold.
The question is: is there any way to get a better idea of what the lead and iron is from without pulling the engine?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Now I know why I don't do oil samples.......
Now your in a state of desparation and fear as to what is happening inside, the only thing is to consider pulling the engine and checking all the bearings..
The oil change interval 3500K is a little low in miles, were usually good until 5000K or 8000KM.
The other thing would be... did you do the oil sample right..... Usually a warm engine and take the sample from "mid stream" that's about the 5th quart draining out.
Now your in a state of desparation and fear as to what is happening inside, the only thing is to consider pulling the engine and checking all the bearings..
The oil change interval 3500K is a little low in miles, were usually good until 5000K or 8000KM.
The other thing would be... did you do the oil sample right..... Usually a warm engine and take the sample from "mid stream" that's about the 5th quart draining out.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 156
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From: denver
Thanks PLC7.3, good advice on sampling technique. I've been sampling warm oil, but only after a qt or 2 had drained out. I'll try letting 5 qts go by before sampling next time, sure is a lot easier than pulling the engine... thanks again.
