OK, here's the scenario: my van blew a head gasket about 7,000 miles ago. I tried Thermagasket, and so far, it's working. No overheating, oil looks good, coolant looks clean. I did a couple of quick OCI's to clean out the engine. Now I'd like to do a used oil analysis to check for coolant in the oil, BUT I put MaxLife in it this last time, which uses sodium as an additive. My next oil change will be with Peak (got it on sale at O'Reilly), but I assume that some of the sodium from the MaxLife will still be there. So I figure after that, I could just do the same thing again (Peak 5w30) and then do the used oil analysis. Would that be enough "flushing" to get the Valvoline sodium out and check for coolant? My plan is just to run this engine until the head gaskets let go again, and then probably just get a new engine.
UOA advice?
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If you are going to run it until it dies then a used oil analysis is a waste of time and money. Cross your fingers and let 'er rip.
Originally Posted By: Smoky14
If you are going to run it until it dies then a used oil analysis is a waste of time and money. Cross your fingers and let 'er rip.
Not sure if you're being a smart [censored] or what. My goal is to see how well the Thermagasket worked, so I can formulate a plan of action.
If you are going to run it until it dies then a used oil analysis is a waste of time and money. Cross your fingers and let 'er rip.
Not sure if you're being a smart [censored] or what. My goal is to see how well the Thermagasket worked, so I can formulate a plan of action.
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Originally Posted By: Stelth
Now I'd like to do a used oil analysis to check for coolant in the oil, BUT I put MaxLife in it this last time, which uses sodium as an additive. My next oil change will be with Peak (got it on sale at O'Reilly), but I assume that some of the sodium from the MaxLife will still be there.
Could you not simply compare the VOA sodium number to the used oil analysis sodium number? If the sodium levels in the used oil analysis are higher than the VOA that would give you an idea if the head was leaking coolant...would it not?
Now I'd like to do a used oil analysis to check for coolant in the oil, BUT I put MaxLife in it this last time, which uses sodium as an additive. My next oil change will be with Peak (got it on sale at O'Reilly), but I assume that some of the sodium from the MaxLife will still be there.
Could you not simply compare the VOA sodium number to the used oil analysis sodium number? If the sodium levels in the used oil analysis are higher than the VOA that would give you an idea if the head was leaking coolant...would it not?
Isn't there more that just a sodium count to determining the amount of coolant in the oil? Blackstone reports include a sodium count and Antifreeze %.
Stelth, Peak uses sodium as an additive also.
Just use a lab that measures glycol.
Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Stelth, Peak uses sodium as an additive also.
Oh, OK. I saw 6ppm on the PQIA site, which I thought was irrelevant.
Stelth, Peak uses sodium as an additive also.
Oh, OK. I saw 6ppm on the PQIA site, which I thought was irrelevant.
Finally realized I should just email Blackstone, and got this reply:
"Mark,
Thanks for the email. That's a very good question. Sodium as additive can make it harder to see coolant, but we know about how much sodium Valvoline typically uses, so any excess is a pretty good indication of coolant. Also, coolant tends to have potassium in it and that's not an additive.
Therefore, the presence of potassium and high sodium will probably indicate coolant. You can send that sample in without flushing the system. Let me know if you have any other questions and have a great day.
Alex Miller
Blackstone Laboratories"
"Mark,
Thanks for the email. That's a very good question. Sodium as additive can make it harder to see coolant, but we know about how much sodium Valvoline typically uses, so any excess is a pretty good indication of coolant. Also, coolant tends to have potassium in it and that's not an additive.
Therefore, the presence of potassium and high sodium will probably indicate coolant. You can send that sample in without flushing the system. Let me know if you have any other questions and have a great day.
Alex Miller
Blackstone Laboratories"
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