i broke down and ordered a kit today from blackstone. Will be interesting to see mine.

 

SSHARBER, I agree that it seems odd they mention no coolant found but list the potasium levels high. The industry avg on my analysis says 12 compared to my 71. I didnt know potasium had anything to do with coolant though. I only had 10k miles on this sample and my intention is to build a history so I can look for trends or problems. From what I have heard, Ford doesnt recognize or honor oil analysis results when it comes to warranty work so this is really just for my own benefit.
I used Blackstone as well.

 

After a few questions about coolant contamination and other issues, I received this email from Blackstone Labs:
Hi Scott,

The problem with potassium is that it can show coolant, but it can also come from the EGR system. When we see coolant we tend to see sodium as well, and that element was low in this sample. I suspect it's coming from the EGR system, but if you're losing coolant then that could also be a possibility. If it was coolant, I would not consider 51 ppm to be a lot--when we see failures from antifreeze, we tend to see 500 ppm or more of both potassium and sodium.

Even if they put the system under pressure and tell you they can't find anything, you've at least gone on the record if it turns out to be something. But I suspect it's not antifreeze.

After reading this, maybe I have an EGR issue, but I dont know of any problems Im currently having that would point to that. Would losing coolant from the degass bottle be related to an EGR problem? Those are my only current symptoms.

 

Coolant loss could be from an EGR cooler.

 

I understand that, but what would be some of the signs, if any? I mean I dont have any leaks that I can see under the truck, any leaks around the coolers I assume would leave an ash or discolored look due to the heat; I cant see any of those, I mean my warranty is coming to a close and im concerned that if my egr coolers are bad I need to get them looked into.

 

I have a 2008 very early Job1 build. Ever since the venturi T was added, my coolant level has stayed right at the T outlet. I haven't lost any since. A buddy of mine has an 08 as well and his coolant level is at the exact same spot. I would wait to see if it drops below that before coming to the conclusion that you're leaking coolant into the engine.

 

Every time I add coolant to the bottle to bring it up to the min line it will lose coolant down to that point then no more. After that it stops. So I know its losing it to a certain degree. I just dont know why. Now, if all was fair in love and war, I would just leave it at that. No loss after that point, all is well. But I DONT. I have no idea whether "that point" is bringing the coolant low to ANOTHER POINT inside the engine where that coolant NEEDS TO BE. It possibly is. If its doing no harm, then great. But I dont know that. Theres a reason it wont hold it to that level or else it would stay there. Theres no blow back, so I know its not seeping out or overfilled. But until I know WHY it loses coolant at this level, which it obviously should be able to since its marked as a min level when cold, then I have to worry. Its like the min level on the oil dipstick. If it always lost oil til it was 2 quarts low then stopped, it would be negligent of me to say, "well, thats fine cause its stopped". Is there an area in the heads or manifold where theres no coolant when its down to that point? THATS what I have to find out. Discovering later on that I should have kept coolant up to the min line for a good reason after ruining something is negligent. Ive paid too much for this motor to allow something wrong with it to slide by because it likes to drink coolant down to a certain level. Thats really my only concern.

 

hers my oil report i have high metals with 50,000 kms is this high compared to you guys




ALUMINUM 21
CHROMIUM 6
lRON 94
COPPER 1
LEAD 2
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 4
NICKEL 3
MANGANESE 1
SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 27
BORON 27
SILICON 4
SODIUM 1
CALCIUM 1829
MAGNESIUM 7
PHOSPHORUS 823
ZINC 1055
BARIUM 0

 

What did their write say? I just got my kit and I plan on sending it in within the next week.

 

hey senix i tried copying it but i dont know how to attach??

you should be able to see it in my picture gallery and read what they wrote..

i gotta figure out how to copy.. i have a scanner but it says i have no attachments

let me know if you see it in my pics
thanks

 

Just to compare:
I am higher than you in every category except calcium. Check out the difference in Magnesium. HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! Dont know what high Magnesium means but HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! My truck had between 10k and 11k miles for this report.

Koboss1 Caprang
ALUMINUM 21 ALUMINUM 22
CHROMIUM 6 CHROMIUM 3
lRON 94 IRON 84
COPPER 1 COPPER 7
LEAD 2 LEAD 5
TIN 0 TIN 2
MOLYBDENUM 4 MOLYBDENUM 47
NICKEL 3 NICKEL 2
MANGANESE 1
SILVER 0 SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0 TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 27 POTASSIUM 71
BORON 27 BORON 29
SILICON 4 SILICON 34
SODIUM 1 SODIUM 6
CALCIUM 1829 CALCIUM 1423
MAGNESIUM 7 MAGNESIUM 734
PHOSPHORUS 823 PHOSPHORUS 1037
ZINC 1055 ZINC 1206
BARIUM 0 BARIUM 1

 

Caprang:

im going to print this out and go over it with one of the blackstone guys tommorow they said i could call with any kind of question and they would be glad to answer.

so if i got this right, your sample was taken at 11k miles which would be about 24000 kms 1/2 what i am at right now, the reason i ask is blackstone said that my metals were high seeing as i am out of the break in stage.. normal if it does alot of towing but if not then some mechanical problem is brewing.

what did they write for comments on your report

 

Universal averages show normal wear after 4,700 miles of oil use. We’re guessing this is the second
oil out of your new 6.4L so the high wear metals and silicon are expected. The metals are from new parts
breaking-in and the silicon is from sand-casted parts plus lubes and sealers that were used at the factory.
Look for improvements after future oil changes as your diesel matures. The oil's viscosity was normal for a
5W/40-grade. 1.0% of the sample was fuel likely from idling/city driving. Soot was present but not at high
levels. No coolant was found in this oil.

 

For 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K, 45K miles

Aluminium: 40 22 17 25 20
Iron........ 122 81 71 53 52
Magnesium 12 621 702 870 1144

10K was factory fill sampled
20K was Mobil Delvac ESP syn 5w-40
30K, 40K, 45K all Shell Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic

First 4 samples from Titan Labs;
last from Blackstone; they said, "Wear was generally above average and the high aluminum and iron
show piston scuffing."

Per Titan, Magnesium is an oil additive in the dispersant detergent group; note my factory fill was low; the last three are similiar but last change had half the mileage of three previous changes. Point being, magnesium will vary depending on oil brand and their additive package and how much you deplete same.

Bob

 

Very interesting and great info. I use the Rotella 5W40 synthetic so that explains the high magnesium.
Reps your way!!