I recently analyzed my 2004 Toyota Prius engine oil from my first oil change done at 1500 miles. I noticed some metals that are not normally associated with oil additives. These foreign metals were aluminum (6.5 ppm), chromium (0.39 ppm), copper (66 ppm), iron (15 ppm), manganese, (3.0 ppm) lead (6.1 ppm), silicon (15 ppm - could be contamination from sample preparation), tin (1.2 ppm), and titanium (0.10 ppm). Unfortunately, I did not take a control sample of my original oil when I bought the car new. However, I was wondering if the metals could be from engine wear, and if so, what engine components might be giving up each metal. I guess the various bearings throughout the engine, the timing chain, the seals, and the cylinder walls are the likely candidates for the metal sources, but I was hoping someone could be very specific as to where (what engine component)each metal may be coming from. Thanks for any help.
Toyota Prius wear metals in first oil change
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Whimsey
I don't have a typical UOA for my used break-in oil so I thought my post would be inappropriate in the UOA sections. I don't know the break-in oil used and the analysis was conducted by myself with an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer that I use at work. I'm an analytical chemist who likes to look for wear metals in the oils of my vehicles every once in a while. I don't have data on the other parameters measured in the usual UOA. Since I just bought a Toyota Prius, I thought I would look at the metals in the used oil to better understand the engine in my new car. Should I post in the UOA section anyway?
Can I be your friend?
Here's a couple Prius UOAs that you might want to peruse.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001673
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001231
[ August 22, 2004, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: 427Z06 ]
Yes. I'd say post what you have there with an explanation of how you took and analyzed the sample etc. If you would, include mileage and type of vehicle in the heading so it's easier to search for in the future...
I agree with jsharp: please post it. Having more data to look at will certainly not hurt, especially with a vehicle that we don't have any analyses for (the other Prius UOAs are the previous design). Many postings are just made in a quick "element - ppm" format anyway. I think this is pretty cool.
Al--from the pistons and whatever plain bearings may be aluminum or have aluminum. The aluminum case will also give up some aluminum.
Fe--from anything made of steel that could wear, esp. the valvetrain and steel cylinder liners.
Cu-- Brass or bronze bushings or bearings, sometimes thrust bearings, sometimes oil coolers leach copper, sometimes gasket materials leach copper.
Pb/Sn--usually plain bearing material alloys
Cr--rings and some steel alloys
Si-- leaches from seals in newer cars and from dirt contamination
These are just general possibilities. You have to dig through parts manuals and talk to mechanics to find more specific answers for your engine.
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