2015 PSD 6,7L T6 oil 11K miles

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Here is the latest UOA from my pickup. After ALS started to process oil samples again. Driving less since we moved to Delaware. Going two clicks of the OLM which is usually 17K miles but this time only 11K miles. Unsure about the potassium ,,,
Code:
oil         T6    Delo    Delo    Delo    Delo     T6    T6    T6    Motorcraft
mi veh    145K    134K     114K    108K    89588    64385    56820    48937    411600
mi oil    11144    20166    24467    18643    15460    7565    7883    7777    7480

Metals
Fe        25    34    49    29    27    11    14    17    15
Cr        <1    1    2    1    1    <1    <1    <1    <1
Pb        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1
Cu        3    2    4    3    3    2    2    3    2
Sn        <1    <1    2    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1
Al        7    8    10    8    6    2    5    7    8
Ni        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1
Ag        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1
Ti        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1
V        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1

Contaminants
Si        8    9    16    11    10    9    6    7    8
Na        7    5    3    6    13    4    9    9    7
K        10    <1    <1    <1    6    <1    <1    <1    <1
Water%    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05    <0.05
Coolant    no    no    no    no    no    no    no    no    no  

Additives
Mg        618    962    1088    976    1109    1090    1166    944    21
Ca        1310    732    906    787    791    889    915    996    2155
Ba        <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    <1    2    13
P        910    877    1040    876    879    1102    1141    1034    892
Zn        1167    1117    1245    1151    1163    1375    1305    1189    985
Mo        39    56    62    55    61    67    65    57    5
B        39    12    15    25    17    38    42    45    42

Physical tests
V(cSt 100C)    12.3    11.9    12.2    12.0    13.1    12.6    11.5    12.6    10.0
Fuel %    2.6    4.7    2.50    2    <1    <1    2    <1    <1
Soot %    0.5    1.1    1.2    0.9    0.5    0.1    0.2    0.9    0.3

Physical/Chemical
TBN        4.7    5.7    5.2    5.5    5.9    7.1    8.1    7.5    5.9
 
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dnewton3

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The metal wear-rates look fairly consistent; no worry there.

The K isn't scary, but worth noting. You did have a "6" a few samples back, but then it dropped down again. Two things you can do in this regard:
- ask the lab to rerun the sample; confirm the reading
- wait for the next UOA; it dropped off the last time this happened, it may do so again.
 

Donald

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The metal wear-rates look fairly consistent; no worry there.

The K isn't scary, but worth noting. You did have a "6" a few samples back, but then it dropped down again. Two things you can do in this regard:
- ask the lab to rerun the sample; confirm the reading
- wait for the next UOA; it dropped off the last time this happened, it may do so again.
A Google search says potassium is only from coolant. But coolant test says no and viscosity is proper. Any thoughts as it might be related to finally going to a CK-4 oil?

I have asked ALS to rerun the test for potassium and also run a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography to confirm a coolant leak.
 
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A Google search says potassium is only from coolant. But coolant test says no and viscosity is proper. Any thoughts as it might be related to finally going to a CK-4 oil?

I have asked ALS to rerun the test for potassium and also run a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography to confirm a coolant leak.

Your sodium is well inline with previous readings & as you know that too can be an indicator of antifreeze. I have my doubts about a coolant leak just yet. Good for you to have them rerun it. It will be interesting what they post.
 
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Try adding some Archoil 9100 and then you will see some REAL potassium levels (1500 ppm +).

At least one sample of "virgin" Mobil 1 TDT I've seen showed 2 ppm potassium. A number of VOA results I've seen did not even analyze for it.
 
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Any thoughts as it might be related to finally going to a CK-4 oil?


Shell Rotella averages 3 ppm on (K) Potassium
 

Donald

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Shell Rotella averages 3 ppm on (K) Potassium
Was the Shell T6 5W40 listed CJ4 or CK-4?
 
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Was the Shell T6 5W40 listed CJ4 or CK-4?

Based on the 2021 date I'm assuming it was indeed CK-4 but not 100% sure. Visit the link & perhaps they'll respond to that older post? The 15w-40 Link is CK-4 I do know that much.
 
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The 15w-40 ck-4 oil & 5w-40 add pack almost 100% match I believe it's a safe bet that it is a ck-4 oil.
 
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I would monitor K for trend. If it continues upward then be concerned

The only thing I have actually seen dump coolant into the oil on a 6.7L is a cracked head. It is quite rare. However, other possibilities include turbocharger and front cover seals. Least likely would be oil cooler.
 
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I would monitor K for trend. If it continues upward then be concerned

The only thing I have actually seen dump coolant into the oil on a 6.7L is a cracked head. It is quite rare. However, other possibilities include turbocharger and front cover seals. Least likely would be oil cooler.
Adding to this would be a cracked RH valve cover (or gasket) (coolant passages for EGR cooler), and EGR cooler. Again I haven’t seen this on a 6.7. 6.0 is a different story
 
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Donald

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Comment from ALS

Coolant detection in Motor oil are detected using the Sodium and Potassium reporting from the contaminants test reporting using ASTM 5185. In that main indication will be increasing levels of Sodium and\or Potassium in the oil from the coolant inhibitor additives. This will be sensitive to the presence of coolant and even small leaks can be detected this way.
 
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