Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5w40 UOA - high potassium thoughts

[6.7 CTD]

Here are the results of the second oil sample taken from my 2024 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins. I posted the first UOA with factory fill a few months ago. This is the second oil change, and the oil (VPBE 5W40) had 6,310 miles and 180 hours on it. I did the first oil change at 3k miles. I’m curious if the elevated potassium is related to flux or if there’s something coolant-related going on. Sodium looks fine, which would sway me slightly from the coolant theory. There is an odd ticking sound coming from the EGR cooler/turbo area, and the truck is going to the dealer Monday for this; I posted the video here.

 

[fantastic]

Keep tabs on it. Things are elevated right now. Coolant level seems ok?

 

[6.7 CTD]

Keep tabs on it. Things are elevated right now. Coolant level seems ok?

Level is fine; however, I have noted an intermittent coolant smell outside the vehicle with the hood open. Unsure if it is just the coolant reservoir venting or something such as a very small leak in the egr cooler that could be mostly burning off? I will see what the dealer says about the erratic tick and if there are any coolant related issues. First uoa potassium level was 16 and sodium 8.

 

[fantastic]

First uoa potassium level was 16 and sodium 8.

Was that UOA done at the same lab?

 

[6.7 CTD]

No, blackstone did the last uoa so I could get averages. The last sample also only had 3k miles on it and was factory fill.

 

[BobsArmory]

Some diesel fuel additives contain potassium. XPD all in one and Hotshots come to mind. There may be others as well

 

[6.7 CTD]

Some diesel fuel additives contain potassium. XPD all in one and Hotshots come to mind. There may be others as well

I don’t use any additives, and have never used any, but thank you for the info

 

[Deplorable]

The UOA I posted for my truck using the VPBE showed elevated potassium level also. I think it may be something in the oil formulation that is leeching more of the flux out of the oil cooler. It will be a while before I can check mine again.

 

[6.7 CTD]

The UOA I posted for my truck using the VPBE showed elevated potassium level also. I think it may be something in the oil formulation that is leeching more of the flux out of the oil cooler. It will be a while before I can check mine again.

Good to know, thanks

 

[Deplorable]

Good to know, thanks

And the coolant smell. Mine does the same thing. Not adding any coolant but I get a whiff of it every now and then on the driver side and I have been on top of it and all under it and I can’t find a drop anywhere.

 

[6.7 CTD]

And the coolant smell. Mine does the same thing. Not adding any coolant but I get a whiff of it every now and then on the driver side and I have been on top of it and all under it and I can’t find a drop anywhere.

Interesting, these trucks are quirky to say the least. How high was your potassium on your uoa if you don’t mind me asking. I’m sure I looked at it, if you posted it, but don’t recall specifics.

 

[Deplorable]

Interesting, these trucks are quirky to say the least. How high was your potassium on your uoa if you don’t mind me asking. I’m sure I looked at it, if you posted it, but don’t recall specifics.

35ppm potassium but I have more miles on my truck than you and I used oil analysis’d it at 17,035 miles. The first used oil analysis. I don’t know how hard it is to get all of the flux out of these coolers and if some oils do it faster or not. My silicon and sodium levels were only 3 pts higher than the virgin oil.
My used oil analysis was after 5915 miles and 146 hours since last OC.

 

[UNC054]

Potassium is from materials in the EGR system, mine washed out with time.

 

[Deplorable]

Potassium is from materials in the EGR system, mine washed out with time.

Do you have any idea how long it took ? I know every truck is different. Some clean out pretty fast and some take longer.
I plan to UOA mine again after about 6k miles and see how it’s trending.

 

[UNC054]

Do you have any idea how long it took ? I know every truck is different. Some clean out pretty fast and some take longer.

Well looking at my old UAO's best I can tell you is it cut in half from the 1st UOA@17,600 miles to the 2nd @ 56,115 miles.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Potassium is from materials in the EGR system, mine washed out with time.

I suspected it may be from the intercooler or egr cooler but wasn’t sure, especially with the noise I’m hearing (whether that is relevant is tbd). Thanks for your input.

 

[loneryder]

And the coolant smell. Mine does the same thing. Not adding any coolant but I get a whiff of it every now and then on the driver side and I have been on top of it and all under it and I can’t find a drop anywhere.

I get this on my MB SUV. No coolant loss or anything.

 

[Deplorable]

I get this on my MB SUV. No coolant loss or anything.

I got it on my 2500 gasser too. I have looked high and low and have not been able to locate any leaks or even seepage.

 

[loneryder]

I got it on my 2500 gasser too. I have looked high and low and have not been able to locate any leaks or even seepage.

Think it's the coolant tank venting??

 

[Deplorable]

Think it's the coolant tank venting??

The tank is under pressure and on the passenger side firewall. I get the whiff on drivers side around the radiator. IDK