So I just got my third Test Back and I see that Lead is Up from 35ppm to 51 ppm. This brings me to the question what part in my OM602 is lead? Could this be the fuel additives that I use from time to time? I use Red line and Slick Diesel. The Oil is AMSOIL 15w40

Engine bearings have lead in them. I don't know about the additives but it seems like lead in the additives would be illegal.

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1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

Right you are, lead is from the bearings.
There is no reason for lead in diesel fuel, it was used in gas to prevent pinging. I don't know how that worked but it lowered the tendency towards pre-ignition when engines had no electronics and carburetors were used.

Blackstone will tell you in their narrative comments about bearings or ring wear if they spot a high level of metals in the oil. I got that msg from them when I had oil checked on an '87 300D turbo.
On my next project car I had the head off (well, it came without one, long story) so I decided to remove a piston because of a score mark in one cylinder. The metal on one ring was worn away and it left a sort of shell appearance on that ring, visual indication of missing metal. I wound up re-ringing the engine. No need to have an oil analysis if you have the engine apart you can see where metal has worn, and that goes into suspension in the oil its too fine to get caught in the filter media.
Oil tests are good for indicating the fact that metal has worn from the bearings or rings but theres' littel that can be done to prevent the wear, other than using the right oil (I use Amsoil HD 15W40 in the 603 engines) and maybe even warming the engine up before heavy use (I never do unless in freezing temps).
Oil tests confirm whether wear that is occurring is becoming excessive, this helps you make plans to do major repairs before things get so bad that the cylinder walls are scored or the bottom end starts making noises.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I was hoping that this was something simple to correct, I guess I will just have to see what the next report reads. The interval this time was longing, I was trying to optimize my change intervals. I think I will back it down to 7000. My driving is 84 miles a day 50% interstate driving.
I also though I would attach the details in case someone would like to see the details.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I notice that you ran a longer interval this time. That MIGHT constitute the larger amount of lead present (I also noticed copper is going up too).

I guess run 7k like you said and see if the numbers return to their old ways

Lead in gasoline was used to prevent valve wear. after lead was removed valves and seats had to be totaly redisigned.
7,000?? try bringing the interval down to 4k.

danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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To provide you with an exact answer to your question, the higher lead level is due to the extended interval of use you just went through. I experienced the same thing on my 300SD also with Amsoil 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Oil and when I performed a 3000 miles oil change after that with regular dino oil, my oil analysis results went back to what was considered "normal." Also, your use was extended too much. You allowed the soot level to rise above 2% as Brian Carlton pointed out which isn't good. I'd say you should try your next change at 8000 miles and see what happens. At least you now know that 7000 miles is a bit too early to change the oil and 9500 miles is too late. Another thing you can try is what I do on my car, something I learned of after going through what you're going through. My 300SD goes through the same oil for 8000 miles, but I perform a filter change at 4000 miles and top of the oil.

And oh, your bearings aren't wearing out faster than normal. Just check out the tin level... it is normal and so indicative that your bearings are fine. So relax!!

Man, looking back at your analysis results, I see that your engine is so clean burning it makes the good old bullet proof OM617 in my 300SD look like dinosaur age stuff. Firstly, you can't dare use your oil for that long on a 617 and still have the soot level at around 2%. Secondly, Your TBN is still very high at nearly 10,000 miles. Ha, in a 617, all the acids and by products of inefficient combustion would have driven that TBN way down by that mileage.

What engine is that? Model, year, displacement, turbo/NA?

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1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver