OK, so I think my engine is finally broken in now, and my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I decided to try getting an oil analysis, which I don't really understand all (or most) of the numbers, then decided to start trying different oils to see if one showed better than the others.

Blackstone says all is well with my engine, but can anyone explain to me what each of these items are (I know the fuel, antifreeze, water and the simple ones)? For those who have done this more than twice, is it common for some of the numbers to move up or down a point or two?

I see a big jump in Molybdenum & Boron, and a big drop in Magnesium between the two samples. I'm guessing these are part of some additive or base part of the oil, but I don't know if I should be wanting higher or lower numbers with these.

If you had to choose an oil based on the two columns listed, which one would be better? I did run B20 for about 60% of the miles on the Delo test if that makes a difference. I was curious to see if I would get a higher fuel reading since Ford thinks shorter change intervals are required if you're running B5 or greater. Looks like the fuel part checked out ok.

The column on the left is the most recent analysis done of Delo 15w-40. The column on the right is my first analysis done of the Carquest private labeled Valvoline 15w-40.

I've got Delvac in the truck for another 1800 miles, then I'll get that tested. I think I'll swap to Rotella for the test after that. I'll post up the other results as I get them to hear any comments.

 

does this helP??
Blackstone Laboratories - Gasoline Diesel Report Expl

 

For some reason, it never occurred to me to look at their website for an explanation. I'd rep ya for setting me straight, but have got to spread it around first.

So does anyone know which additives are better to have in the engine?

 

Delo recently re-formulated their additives package.

On the same oil, and adding a quart or two of "make-up oil", my "trace elements" changed around, too. I think the moly increased a bunch, and when I asked them about it they wrote:

"Magnesium has increased in this engine's oil recently. It is most commonly
a detergent/dispersant added at manufacture. It will help keep particles in
suspension in the oil so that they may be filtered. Some Delo 400 15W/40
samples that we've tested recently have had a higher concentration of
magnesium, others have not. Calcium is another detergent/dispersant; it's
usually quite prevalent in engine oil. In the case of your engine, you will
notice that over time, calcium has decreased a bit while magnesium has
increased. It could very well be that the additive mix in this oil has been
slightly modified. Higher magnesium readings shouldn't have any negative
effects on performance. Note that that the level of boron has also
increased. This is another dispersant/detergent element in the oil. Oil
companies will tinker with additive packages, in order to find the right
balance to improve oil performance. This should not be problematic for your
engine in any way. The wear trends that we've seen in your Navistar are
enviable, so you've obviously been doing the right things to keep it that
way. I hope that this message helps you out. If you have any other
questions or comments, feel free to contact us.

Stephen Zulkowski
Blackstone Labs

Does that fit what you're seeing?

Pop

 

Thanks Pop. I guess singing the praises of their customers is sort of their SOP, or maybe it's just that the people actually getting an UOA are the ones that understand changing the oil is important.

Of course if the oil companies are changing their formula all the time, then I guess my comparison of different oils is kind of a waste of time.

 

i have always used delo 400..the bold test is a bad one..thats when my early 99 turbo craped out..i did a 500 mile flush right after that,,the last test is with this last turbo problem i had..the last 2 test is the delo 400 LE oil..the new oil Pops is talking about..

 

ooops that was the wrong link..this is my most resent

 

Thanks Ron. It helps to have other numbers to look at. I'm pretty sure this was the LE stuff too. I just went outside and checked, but since that's what I just put in the wife's truck, I can't be 100% sure if the bottle was from me or her. I'm 99% sure it's mine since we pumped out her HPOP too and needed the extra oil to top that off.

I guess I'll need you to teach me how to use a scanner also. I notice you're file is only 20kb, but is much clearer than my 113kb file.

 

Actually, those of us that are putting 18,000+ miles on our oil are MUCH more interested in lab analysis. Usually my oil gets three lab tests during that period, at 5K, 10K, & 15K, which is when the bypass filter gets changed, too.

Pop

 

those are not scaned..there right from blackstone.. i use ADOBE acrobat 7.0 to open them up for me then i save them into a folder..i havent been able to get any thing but LE since last winter...chances are you did use LE

 

I noticed many of the reports had high levels of Molybdenum. What components are made of molybdenum? I need to get me a Blackstone kit and have mine checked. I saved the oil from my last change so I could send in a sample.

 

High levels of zinc would be even better, but the EPA has the blenders putting less and less over time.

I'm going to look into additives.

I have been using RPM Delo for over 55 years, but my most recent oil change was using Rotella T-4.

Delo, as currently formulated, is (was?) not recommended by Ford for our diesels.

My Blackstones have always been good, so the next one will tell.

Pop