2002 Ford Expedition 5.4L M1 AFE 0w30 10,400Km

[OVERKILL]

Here is my most recent UOA.

This oil was put in service September 19th, 2010 @ 204,041.2Km
This oil was changed out on February 22nd, 2011 @ 214,440.7Km

Given that this vehicle has an oil cooler, I'm wondering if the elevated nitration is from the oil being kept overly cool over the course of the winter?

TBN/TAN look good. Definitely could have run it longer.

I'm not sure how to interpret the particle count data (ISO Code), so anybody who can, please do! This run was with a Motorcraft FL-820S filter.

Next UOA will be Redline 5w30, as that is what is in the sump currently.

 

[chubbs1]

I had a VERY low particle count at 13/10 so yours is obviously higher. I ran the same oil in my Altima for only 3,100 miles though and was using a Bosch D+. This is not a bad run but the metals are a little high. I would (personally) cut the OCI a little or go back to the M1 TDT. It ran very well in your truck wear wise. Thanks for the UOA.

 

[OVERKILL]

Thank you for your comments. This thing gets beat on like a red-headed step-child FWIW. Never when cold of course, but it definitely gets driven hard when warmed.

The TDT results definitely "look" the best. I'm using the same filter right now, but have a stash of PureONE filters too. Be interesting to compare the particle count data from this run to my current run with the same (brand and model) filter.

 

[tig1]

Only problem I see is that the OCI could have been extended to 15KMs. The Ford Mods can easily do that with this oil.

 

[Ben99GT]

Read these: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/particle-count-test.php
http://www.polarislabs1.com/decoding-the-iso-cleanliness-code.php

Particle count looks high, looks like there was a good amount of large particles present too.

Do they give you a more detailed particle size count with it?

Something like this?

ISO CODE (2) - 18/14
NAS 1638 CLASS - 3
ISO CODE (3) - 18/17/15

>= 2 MICRON - 3787
>= 5 MICRON - 1403
>= 10 MICRON - 388
>= 15 MICRON - 150
>= 25 MICRON - 35
>= 50 MICRON - 3
>= 100 MICRON - 0

 

[OVERKILL]

Hmmmm, wonder if my air filter is FUBAR?

I'm getting a new one shortly. Just waiting for it to show up.

The oil cap is never removed because it never gets any make-up oil. The dipstick is only ever pulled a couple times during a run because I know it doesn't use oil. The only source of contamination I can think of would be the air filter. I don't make it a habit of pulling it out (the air filter) and checking it too frequently because I like to prevent dirt from getting in there.

Wait a minute.... I THINK this is the OCI I had the spark plug blow-out on. Which means most of the PCV plumbing would have been removed to install the insert (cylinder #4). And the engine ran without a spark plug for at least five minutes when I drove it to the dealer. That may explain things.......

 

[ltslimjim]

^Definitely, I'd say.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Wait a minute.... I THINK this is the OCI I had the spark plug blow-out on. Which means most of the PCV plumbing would have been removed to install the insert (cylinder #4). And the engine ran without a spark plug for at least five minutes when I drove it to the dealer. That may explain things.......


That's probably it...

 

[Jim Allen]

Definitely a high particle count, especially the big stuff. Did you change (and sample) the oil right after the plug blow-out? If so, that's the likely scenario. Otherwise, you'd think the oil filter would've cleaned the oil up a bit better, at least the big chunks. I installed a bypass filter in my old Ford and it cleaned the oil up lickety-split. A full flow woulda cleaned out the big stuff to he best of it's ability even faster.

As a side note, let me pound home the point about the spectrographic metals vs the particle count. If you looked at the metals in PPM, you'd be pretty happy. But when you see that PC, it's a whole 'nother deal.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Definitely a high particle count, especially the big stuff. Did you change (and sample) the oil right after the plug blow-out? If so, that's the likely scenario. Otherwise, you'd think the oil filter would've cleaned the oil up a bit better, at least the big chunks. I installed a bypass filter in my old Ford and it cleaned the oil up lickety-split. A full flow woulda cleaned out the big stuff to he best of it's ability even faster.

As a side note, let me pound home the point about the spectrographic metals vs the particle count. If you looked at the metals in PPM, you'd be pretty happy. But when you see that PC, it's a whole 'nother deal.


Jim:

No, the oil was run for an additional 8,000Km after the plug blow-out.

The oil was emptied into a glass jar that was washed into the dishwasher. There is a possibility it received some large particle contamination that way, but I doubt at this level.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
As a side note, let me pound home the point about the spectrographic metals vs the particle count. If you looked at the metals in PPM, you'd be pretty happy. But when you see that PC, it's a whole 'nother deal.


Yep, this is case in point about how worthless UOAs are when used to compare the wear control of oils... at least without a particle count.

I would like to know if this particle count is the result of cylinder wear caused by aluminum and debris getting into the cylinder when the spark plug blew out.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
As a side note, let me pound home the point about the spectrographic metals vs the particle count. If you looked at the metals in PPM, you'd be pretty happy. But when you see that PC, it's a whole 'nother deal.


Yep, this is case in point about how worthless UOAs are when used to compare the wear control of oils... at least without a particle count.

I would like to know if this particle count is the result of cylinder wear caused by aluminum and debris getting into the cylinder when the spark plug blew out.


I hope not, LOL!!!

 

[Ben99GT]

Yeah I bet, but I doubt a one time incident caused by something like that will really effect anything though.

I can't imagine how many 2V Modular owners change spark plugs without blowing the dirt & debris out of the spark plug wells with compressed air first, I'm my area that would mean a good bit of sand dropped right down the cylinder.

 

[OVERKILL]

Changed the air filter tonight. It has been in there for at least 50,000Km. It was scary looking. Didn't look like it was having sealing issues though.

 

[OVERKILL]

Update from Toromont when I asked about the particle count data:

Quote:
You can actually ignore the particle count results for your sample because it was an engine sample. Engine samples are too dark to be run through the particle counter and all will get the same reading (we can test all non-engine oil samples). I have removed the particle count results from the report and I am re-sending you the report via e-mail. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[Jim Allen]

That's a "whew!" if I ever heard one.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
That's a "whew!" if I ever heard one.


Agreed. So it was a good report with lots of TBN left.

 

[Ben99GT]

It's kind of lame they gave you those numbers at all if they are bunk.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
It's kind of lame they gave you those numbers at all if they are bunk.


Well, I did ask for them. It wasn't until they went back and took a look at it I guess that they realized that the test is apparently not applicable.