antifreeze in oil (marine diesel)

[bct]

recently received an oil analysis on 2 cat 3116, 1997 year with about 2000 hours each. analysis was done by catepillar. report shows elevated sodium (142 ppm)in port engine, all other readings normal. the engine has historically had sodium readings around 6-7 ppm. the rport shows "p" (present) for antifreeze. according to the cat service manager, this p is not a specific test for glycol, but a indicator based upon the elevated sodium. the fact that no other readings are elevated, potassium, etc seems it might be a bad reading. they are recommending oil change and retest in 20hrs. i am inclined to have another analysis done? help?

 

[DrDusty86]

Head gaskets? was it ran hot? does it use coolant? Milky oil?
Are my guess

 

[bct]

thanks, no oil looks really good. maybe a quart of coolant over 150 hours of ops, same for starboard engine.

never been over 185 degrees.

 

[roadrunner1]

I would do as they suggest, could possibly be a leaky oil cooler

 

[bct]

that's the plan...monday. it's a little perplexing because when cat came and did the last service, it included pulling, cleaning and testing th aftercoolers. they sampled the engines then, but "lost" the samples and we never got a report on the oil prior to service. so i don't know if this elevated reading was occuring beofre the service or entered the equation after service...just a missing piece of the puzzle.

 

[Chris142]

Does this engine vent coolant into the oil when the water pump goes bad like the C12's do?

 

[bct]

i don't know?