Can Techron or other "cleaners" affect lead levels?

[Russell]

Can a bottle of Techron or using Chevron Surpreme almost all the time and/or other "injector cleaners" affect lead levels in oil?

My recent oil analysis on my 95 BMW with Mobil 10w40, changed a 3,600 miles indicated 23 ppm of lead and the analysis from Blackstone indicated 7 was a "universal" average as seen from this type of engine. However they had my engine noted as a M54. Mine is a M50 (earlier version). Not sure this can make a difference. I sent an email asking

Also the oil analysis history page on this site indicated that an acceptable level of lead is 40 to 100 ppm. So I am confused. Is there an issue. I do not think so.

 

[Spector]

The trend on your engine is the key, not universal averages etc. etc. I use a fuel additive on evry fill up in four cars,3 have normal lead one has an ave of 25 ppm in 7500 mile OCI for over 10 years and still running fine. No one knows how long an any specific engine will run with 5 ppm or 50 ppm of lead . Will it go 100,000 or 300,000 miles no one knows. Now if the trend on your engine changes dramatically then that is a indicator but within a range for your climate, driving habits, the lead ppm should be relatively constant over several samples.

 

[wtd]

I do think Chevron Techron effects lead levels. In the oil analysis's that I had done when using Techron, my lead levels were very high. I asked the same question back then and was told that it wouldn't cause the high lead but its too much of a coincidence for me to believe that. I haven't used Techron since even though I used to get good results from it.

Wayne

 

[Russell]

WTD,
In this cas no Techron additive was used on this oil change. However Chevron Supreme 93 with Techron was used for almost every tank. However, since then, I found a hose in my crankcase ventilation system was broken, put new air filter in and new oil cap intalled in attempts to fix up air leaks on my BMW. Oil analysis showed there was a fuel dilution issue and I am following recomendations to reduce what seems to be a engine richness issue. The fuel dilution issue is believed to be causing bearing wear. Bottom line Techron may not be an issue at all. Just do not know. We shall see on the next oil analysis.

 

[Laurence]

using chevron supreme gas should not raise the lead levels based on my experience.
I have a 97 328is ... which has the M52 engine and had a 95 325is / the M50TU engine and used nothing but chevron supreme in both of these vehicles.

While i never did an OA on the 325 i did do one on the 328 and my wear levels were very low(again, running nothing but chev. supreme).

i would say your problem is somewhere else ...

 

[TR3-2001SE]

We have seen Techron elevate lead levels in UOAs on this fourm in the past. I think it is dependent on the amount of deposits you have in your engine. If you have none Techron will have no effect on lead. If you have lots of lead deposits they will get broken off and in your oil.
This is the best cleaner for this type of cleaning but others may do the same.

 

[wtd]

I don't know if I agree with that theory either. I used Mobil 1, changed every 3,000 miles in this engine, so I doubt I had any major deposits. I agree that Techron is a very good cleaner. I'm tempted to try it again since my truck has developed a more severe pinging problem lately even though I use FP religiously.

Wayne

 

[TooSlick]

The techron isn't cleaning out deposits, it's scavanging some of the lead from the surface of the bearings. I've seen this effect in a number of analyses and I've seen it in my last oil analysis after using two bottles of Redline SL-1 during the drain interval. I went from single digit lead to 41 ppm of lead in the same # of miles. The copper and tin levels were still very low, so I don't think this was adhesive wear.

I should add that I don't think this is really harmful, but I wouldn't use whole bottles of these strong cleaners every 3000 miles. More is not better when it comes to fuel additives....

TS

 

[moribundman]

I used one bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner during my last oil change interval (8k mi). The UOA showed 1 ppm lead. In the past, Techron has fouled my platinum spark plugs. No problems with the nickel-plated copper plugs.

 

[kang]

quote:

---

Originally posted by TooSlick:
The techron isn't cleaning out deposits, it's scavanging some of the lead from the surface of the bearings. I've seen this effect in a number of analyses and I've seen it in my last oil analysis after using two bottles of Redline SL-1 during the drain interval. I went from single digit lead to 41 ppm of lead in the same # of miles. The copper and tin levels were still very low, so I don't think this was adhesive wear.

I should add that I don't think this is really harmful, but I wouldn't use whole bottles of these strong cleaners every 3000 miles. More is not better when it comes to fuel additives....

TS

---

TS, while many report no increase in lead levels, there is no doubt that some do experience an increase that seems to coincide with additive usage. But even with 41 ppm of lead, how long before enough metal is removed to actually damage the bearings or cause other problems?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
Russell - your previous post on the subject produced this response from me;

"I have not seen this "phenomenen"

Check in the UOA section under Porsche 928
where there are eight (8) UOAs using two quite different high quality synthetic lubricants;

Shell Helix Ultra 15w-50 (SJ/CF) (13.6k kms OCI)and,
Delvac 1 5w-40 (CH-4/SJ)(19.1k kms OCI)

There is no evidence of increased Lead due to Techron which was used as recommended by Porsche throughout each OCI"

I thought it worth re-posting - did you check the UOAs mentioned above?

Ted - you said;
"The techron isn't cleaning out deposits, it's scavanging some of the lead from the surface of the bearings. I've seen this effect in a number of analyses and I've seen it in my last oil analysis after using two bottles of Redline SL-1 during the drain interval. I went from single digit lead to 41 ppm of lead in the same # of miles. The copper and tin levels were still very low, so I don't think this was adhesive wear."

Ted - when did TECHRON become Redline SL-1 ????
And your comment "The TECHRON isn't cleaning out deposits.......!

With regard to TECHRON, where is your clinical reference data to support your claims??

I have had extensive experience with TECHRON Ted so I look forward to you publishing your data

Regards
Doug