2011 BMW 335xi 6000mi M1 0w-40 -potassium again-

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I was worried about iron again, but I had a bit more Potassium this time. I'm thinking (hoping) it's the oil filter housing gasket allowing cross contamination which is common on these engines. I ordered up a new gasket and will replace this weekend.

Thread to last report is HERE

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We're starting to see just a little more potassium in the oil. Normally we wouldn't make much out of the fact

that an element increased by 2 ppm. But since the element we're talking about is potassium and potassium can be a

sign of coolant, we have to at least mention it. It sure doesn't look like a problem, with wear levels reading just as good

as usual (and better than average). If potassium shows coolant, it's such a slight leak that neither you nor a mechanic

would see it. The TBN is strong, so try going back to 7,000 miles next time and we'll monitor it for you.



MAKE/MODEL: BMW 3.0L (N55) I-6 Turbo

OIL M1 0w-40 BMW 5w30 M1 0w-40 BMW 5w30

MILES IN USE 6000 7630 5520 5150

MILES 56283 50284 40660 35140

SAMPLE TAKEN 10/12/2015 3/31/2015 5/1/2014 11/16/2013



ALUMINUM 8 19 6 8

CHROMIUM 1 1 1 1

IRON 30 50 24 21

COPPER 4 6 3 3

LEAD 0 0 0 1

TIN 2 0 0 3

MOLYBDENUM 102 151 104 140

NICKEL 1 1 1 0

MANGANESE 2 3 1 1

SILVER 1 0 0 0

TITANIUM 0 0 0 0

POTASSIUM 16 14 2 2

BORON 136 75 151 61

SILICON 4 6 4 3

SODIUM 7 9 3 6

CALCIUM 3068 2397 3239 2321

MAGNESIUM 21 18 19 17

PHOSPHORUS 898 935 989 850

ZINC 1150 1112 1176 976

BARIUM 0 0 0 0



SUS VIS 210コF 70.2 63.2 68.5 64.4

cSt @ 212コF 13.01 11.12 12.56 11.44

FLASHPOINT コF 390 395 415 420

Fuel
Antifreeze ? 0 0 0

WATER 0 0 0 0

INSOLUBLES 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4

TBN 5.6 3.7 5.6 5.3
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: DeepFriar
No arguing with that. M1 OW40 gets the job done!


That BMW 5W-30 got the job done too.
 
Originally Posted By: wemay
Originally Posted By: DeepFriar
No arguing with that. M1 OW40 gets the job done!


That BMW 5W-30 got the job done too.


It did, and both oils held up fine. The only nitpick one could make would be the Fe and Al rate per 1K miles being higher with the thinner 5w-30 BMW oil:

Fe:
1st UOA (0w-40): 4.35ppm per 1K miles
2nd UOA (5w-30): 6.55ppm per 1K miles
3rd UOA (0w-40): 5.00ppm per 1K miles

Al:
1st UOA (0w-40): 1.09ppm per 1K miles
2nd UOA (5w-30): 2.49ppm per 1K miles
3rd UOA (0w-40): 1.33ppm per 1K miles
 
They both got the job done, but one is half the price
wink.gif


The new BMW oil is Shell, this is all the old Castrol supplied stuff.
 
Euro oils get the job done.
Subaru coolant conditioner is a good porosity/small leak sealer.
Even with the new filter housing gaskets, I'd consider it.
 
Originally Posted By: Greasymechtech

Subaru coolant conditioner is a good porosity/small leak sealer.
Even with the new filter housing gaskets, I'd consider it.


I'll look into that. Thanks for the tip.
 
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