Peak conventional 10w-30, 4,134miles 2003 Century

Rat407 · Jul 11, 2014

This report is from Oil Analyzers. It is a friends car that drives 140 mile round trip a day back and forth to Fort Bragg from home. Country roads most of the way in. The oil filter was a Wix. It has been using coolant and so I figured I would take a sample. It has 134k miles on the vehicle. This was the second oil change with Peak conventional 10w-30. Looks like there is a leak, not sure if it is the intake on this particular model or the heads. The sump holds 4.8 qts

Code:

Suggest INSPECTING COLLING SYSTEM (head gasket, heads, seals, EGR gaskets, etc.) for 

leaks. Coolant indicators (Sodium and /or Potassium) are at a SIGNIFICANT LEVEL. 

Viscosity is MODERATELY HIGH: Lubricant and filter change acknowledged.

OIL            Peak 10w-30   
MILES IN USE    4,134         
MILES           134,454      
SAMPLE TAKEN    6/22/14     

ALUMINUM        2              
CHROMIUM        0             
IRON            9             
COPPER          4              
LEAD            3              
TIN             0               
MOLYBDENUM      15            
NICKEL          0              
MANGANESE       0               
SILVER          0               
TITANIUM        0               
POTASSIUM       63              
BORON           8             
SILICON         13             
SODIUM          335            
CALCIUM         2015         
MAGNESIUM       13            
PHOSPHORUS      846           
ZINC            885          
BARIUM          0       
     
INSOLUBLES      0.1              
WATER           0.0                  
Oxidation       10              
SUS VIS 210ºF              
cSt @ 212ºF     13.5      
Fuel%		0          
Antifreeze%     see comments          
TBN             3.81        
Nitration       9

nitehawk55 · Jul 11, 2014

If it's a V6 leaking gaskets would be suspect . Bummer .

Rat407 · Jul 11, 2014

I forgot to put it has the 3.1L V6.

nitehawk55 · Jul 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: Rat407

I forgot to put it has the 3.1L V6.

Thats what I was afraid of . The good news is if you're handy or have a friend that is it's do-able and you still have a good car there !

fdcg27 · Jul 11, 2014

Bad LIMs. This oil has sodium as a part of its add pack, although not as much as this UOA shows. The high level of potassium is the dead giveaway. These need to replaced quickly, since coolant ingress isn't a good thing and will lead to severe sludging and rapid bearing wear.

901Memphis · Jul 11, 2014

Yep the good old plastic gaksers. I had mine repaired already on a used engine after the leak caused over heating so many times on my original engine. You need the rubber and metal frame gasket. Interesting to see wear is still good, even with coolant. Another weird thing is the increased viscosity but the oil shouldn't be old enough to be oxidizing yet.

yvon_la · Jul 11, 2014

This oil is made by valvoline or it is a copy.if i recall valvoline voa it is identical but this has moly http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1760810 So sorry to bust you bubble but nope ,no leak.sodium is one of the additive valvoline put

WiskyBadger · Jul 11, 2014

You need some Felpro gaskets my friend.

fdcg27 · Jul 11, 2014

This oil isn't made by Valvoline. It does use sodium as part of its add pack, but not 335 ppm. It also doesn't have anything close to 63 ppm of potassium, which is the primary indicator of coolant leaking into the oil, at least where coolants containing potassium are used. Yes, the OP's engine has coolant leaking into the oil, a classic problem with GM V-6 engines over many years. A buddy who used to work in a Pontiac shop likes to say that LIM jobs paid off his mortgage.

yvon_la · Jul 11, 2014

At the small amount we talk here ?it must be something like a bolt or if oil cooler is with rad .radiator is going off line

actionstan · Jul 11, 2014

Can confirm bad LIM here.. I had the same car.. your friend is at about the same mileage as mine was when the problem developed.. sorry but my 03 century was an awful car..

tony1679 · Jul 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: yvon_la

This oil is made by valvoline or it is a copy.if i recall valvoline voa it is identical but this has moly http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1760810 So sorry to bust you bubble but nope ,no leak.sodium is one of the additive valvoline put

Originally Posted By: yvon_la

At the small amount we talk here ?it must be something like a bolt or if oil cooler is with rad .radiator is going off line

More trolling and stupidity from yvon.... At what point does it end?

ThirdeYe · Jul 11, 2014

The intake manifold gasket leak is extremely common on the 3.1, so that's likely where your coolant is going. We had to replace it twice on the 2003 Malibu we had. The first set was replaced with the pre-revised gaskets under warranty. The 2nd time was out of warranty, so we had to pay for it again.

Rat407 · Jul 11, 2014

I'll let them know. Not sure what they want to do. It seems simple enough to change out, plenty of room under there to work. Thanks everyone.

901Memphis · Jul 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: actionstan

Can confirm bad LIM here.. I had the same car.. your friend is at about the same mileage as mine was when the problem developed.. sorry but my 03 century was an awful car..

Once you repair the gaskets and rebuild the tranny once it's good to go.

fdcg27 · Jul 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: yvon_la

At the small amount we talk here ?it must be something like a bolt or if oil cooler is with rad .radiator is going off line

63 ppm of potassium is huge and is a clear indicator of coolant getting into the oil. This is one of the primary values of UOAs. They can indicate serious problems before the engine experiences serious consequences. This thing needs LIM replacement ASAP and this UOA has indicated the same for anyone who can read.

901Memphis · Jul 11, 2014

Best to keep the oil changes very short if the leak isn't addressed. Cheap dino every 3k max

Rat407 · Jul 12, 2014

My friend will be back in town today after being gone for a week at church camp. I'll let her know. I don't see her husband much, who actually drives the car and is in the Army. He is having to go to a two week outing so he will not be home and maybe then they can get this fixed. I watched a YouTube video on this exact same car and it seems simple enough to accomplish.

bigt61 · Jul 13, 2014

Bars Leaks pellets - available at NAPA. Same pellets your GM dealer sells. Problem solved.

yvon_la · Jul 14, 2014

Originally Posted By: tony1679

Originally Posted By: yvon_la

This oil is made by valvoline or it is a copy.if i recall valvoline voa it is identical but this has moly http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1760810 So sorry to bust you bubble but nope ,no leak.sodium is one of the additive valvoline put

Originally Posted By: yvon_la

At the small amount we talk here ?it must be something like a bolt or if oil cooler is with rad .radiator is going off line

More trolling and stupidity from yvon.... At what point does it end?

so basicly you say there is no oil with high sodium count?(that was my point after all http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2270021 tell it to this post then

Peak conventional 10w-30, 4,134miles 2003 Century

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