Leak Check Dye in Oil = High Metals?

[hotoil]

Our 2009 Corvette (LS3 engine) had a slight oil leak, so the dealership added the GM dye and re-torqued the pan bolts.

The good news is that the leak/seep has disappeared for now. Nothing showing to the naked eye or the black light.

I had the oil changed after the dye had been in there about 1,500 miles (7,700 on the oil, compared to about 6,000 on the previous change; and 37,000 on the engine). Sent a sample to Blackstone as usual. The results showed my lead had increased from 7 to 13, and tin increased from 2 to 5. But copper was virtually identical, despite the extra miles.

Blackstone said they doubted the lead came from the dye (they said nothing aboout the tin), more likely it was a particle wipe from a bearing. But I seem to recall a previous post somewhere where a user reported getting increased metal, (lead?) when he added dye to his oil. And if there was a particle wipe, wouldn't that also show more copper?

Any comments?

 

[oggb]

Those numbers are absolutely nothing to be worried about.

 

[09_GXP]

I've seen dye added to dozens of engines that have very regualr oil samples taken and have never seen an increase in wear due to dye.

 

[hotoil]

Originally Posted By: JRed
Those numbers are absolutely nothing to be worried about.

I agree. I'm posting because of curiosity, not worry.

But I'm trying to figure out if the "particle wipe" explanation makes sense, given that copper didn't increase.

And someone did mention getting an increase in one of the wear metals after adding dye. That doesn't make sense to me or to you, but I'm searching for more info. Too bad I can't remember where I saw that.