2015 PSD 6,7L T6 oil 11K miles

[Donald]

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 ,,,

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  Pb  Cu 3 2 4 3 3 2 2 3 2
Sn  Al 7 8 10 8 6 2 5 7 8
Ni  Ag  Ti  V  
Contaminants
Si 8 9 16 11 10 9 6 7 8
Na 7 5 3 6 13 4 9 9 7
K 10  Water%  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  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  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

 

[dnewton3]

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]

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.

 

[fantastic]

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.

 

[bismic1]

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.

 

[dnewton3]

Any thoughts as it might be related to finally going to a CK-4 oil?

Could be, but the only way to know for sure is to also run a VOA on the sourced lube.

 

[fantastic]

Any thoughts as it might be related to finally going to a CK-4 oil?

VOA Diesel Oil Database

I stumbled across himemsys thread that combined a bunch of Gasoline VOA in one spreadsheet. I figured it was such a great idea that I decided to also put one together but with Diesel Oil instead. I made this version similar to that one in order to minimize confusion. I created a line that adds...

bobistheoilguy.com

Shell Rotella averages 3 ppm on (K) Potassium

 

[Donald]

For a diesel engine with a minor coolant leak, one that can be picked by a UOA, what is the potassium level? 10 or 50 or 100?

 

[Donald]

VOA Diesel Oil Database

I stumbled across himemsys thread that combined a bunch of Gasoline VOA in one spreadsheet. I figured it was such a great idea that I decided to also put one together but with Diesel Oil instead. I made this version similar to that one in order to minimize confusion. I created a line that adds...

bobistheoilguy.com

Shell Rotella averages 3 ppm on (K) Potassium

Was the Shell T6 5W40 listed CJ4 or CK-4?

 

[fantastic]

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.

 

[fantastic]

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.

 

[mattd]

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.

 

[mattd]

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

 

[Donald]

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.