Bad analysis - '06 VW 2.5/5cyl - 10,129 miles

[pezzy669]

I need some input on a recent BAD oil analysis I got out of my '06 VW Jetta 2.5 with ~40k miles. Car has had dealership oil changes since new on a steady diet of Castrol Syntec 5W-40. This past change the dealership put in conventional oil and with some [censored] and moaning I got them to change the oil out for Castrol Syntec 5W-40. Unfortunately they did not replace the copper washer on the plug so I ended up going through ~2 quarts of makeup oil over this oil run. 1 quart of Castrol Syntec 10W-40 (misread label as being 5W-40) and 1 quart of Mobil 1 5w30.

I changed the air filter about 300 miles prior to this oil change and plugs were changed during the oil change. Coolant level has not budged since new. This report has me slightly concerned. Here we go.

Adam: Something unusual showed up in this most recent sample from your Jetta. All wear read at or below averages for this type of engine, except aluminum (from pistons or case). Perhaps caused by fuel dilution. Fuel was found in great excess; an injector problem may be the reason. Also, sodium is pretty high and can indicate coolant in the oil. Check your coolant levels and make necessary repairs if coolant is found to be leaking. TBN=3.7; active additive remained. Wear still looks unaffected by these contaminates. Reduce your oil interval and check back to monitor

MI/HR on Oil: 10,129
MI/HR on unit: 40,437
Sample Date: 8/8/08
Make Up Oil : 2 quarts

Aluminium: 13
Chromium: 0
Iron: 19
Copper: 6
Lead: 1
Tin: 1
Molybdenum: 22
Nickel: 0
Maganese: 4
Silver: 0
Titanium: 0
Potassium: 3
Boron: 12
Silicon: 6
Sodium: 96
Calcium: 2086
Magnesium: 723
Phosphorus: 896
Zinc: 1075
Barium: 0

SUS Viscosity @ 210F: 63.7
cSt Viscosity @ 100C: 11.26
Flashpoint in F: 365
Fuel %: 4.5
Antifreeze %: .19
Water %: 0.0
Insolubles %: .3
TBN: 3.7

BTW Blackstone THINKS this is my old Golf TDI even so I clearly labeled the engine make and model on my oil slip. I emailed them to get a new report with the correct averages for the engine make.

Thanks for help in advance.

 

[saaber1]

Did you notice any loss of coolant in that 10k mile OCI?

 

[pezzy669]

Coolant has not moved noticeably since the car was new.

 

[JSP]

Wear doesn't look all that high for a 10k OCI and the engine might still be breaking in. Is the sodium possibly an additive in the oil, because with coolant you would think there would be hight potassium levels?

 

[FZ1]

Wonder if the plug change caused the al and/or the fuel to go up? Change it at 5k and do another uoa.

 

[pezzy669]

Plugs were changed after the oil change (picked up the plugs while recycling the used oil).

 

[Gary Allan]

I tend to lean towards JSP's take on it...

The Al would bother me in a minor way (this is 10k, after all). The sodium is probably a leftover from the dino/junk OCI. It may use it as an additive (for all I know, Syntec does

)

 

[SubLGT]

You do have some kind of fuel delivery problem, what with fuel at 4.5%. Perhaps a injector stuck open, or dirty injectors, or an excessively rich mixture. This may be a very recent problem in your motor, because if it started 10,000 miles ago, your wear metals would be a lot higher than in this report.

 

[pezzy669]

Thanks for your help guys it is much appreciated.

I will say HWY fuel economy has gone from easily achieving 30-32MPG down to 28-30MPG. I fill up at the same station so I will switch to another station in the mean time. I have refilled the car with Mobil 0W-40 and will test again at 5k just to see whats going on.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Looks ok.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
You do have some kind of fuel delivery problem, what with fuel at 4.5%. Perhaps a injector stuck open, or dirty injectors, or an excessively rich mixture. This may be a very recent problem in your motor, because if it started 10,000 miles ago, your wear metals would be a lot higher than in this report.


Good catch and I agree that it probably was a recent onset condition. One would expect higher numbers with that much fuel. I don't know the signature of the engine, but I know it would surely aggravate my used oil analysis to a good tick or two.

 

[pezzy669]

Ok my report was modified once I told them it was a 2.5 gas engine. Fuel dropped down to .5 % (guess different testing methods for gas/diesel). They said everything appears good except for Aluminum and Sodium.

Sodium I am guessing is an additive in the oil, does not Potassium usually go hand in hand with Sodium?? Not sure the makeup of the VW G12 coolant but will research this.

Thanks again!