OK, so I got my first oil report frm Blackstone today. I had sent them a vile of oil that was sitting on my shelf for 4 months, but I figured that would not be a problem. Here's what they said. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated:

"Your 213,399 mile MB engine is 'watchable' for an anti-freeze contamination problem since we found potassium slightly higher than expected. Universal averages show typical wear for metals for an oil from this type of engine after about 8,715 miles run on the oil. Your oil was in use for only 3,100 miles, and we found wear at around average levels and in correct balance to show normal mechanical parts inside. Air and oil filtration appear normal. This was 14W40 diesel-use engine oil with no fuel or moisture in it. Try 5,000 miles use and check back."

Aluminum 2 (Universal Avg., 3)
Chromium 1 (2)
Iron 17 (27)
Copper 1 (11)
Lead 0 (2)
Tin 0 (0)
Molybdenum 4 (14)
Nickel 3 (2)
Manganese 0 (1)
Silver 0 (0)
Titanium 0 (0)
Potassium 10 (8)
Boron 42 (28)
Silicon 3 (6)
Sodium 1 (2)
Calcium 3323 (2797)
Magnesium 13 (278)
Phosphorus 1086 (1130)
Zinc 1192 (1328)
Barium 0 (0)

SUS Visc. at 210F: 79.4 (69-78)
Flashpoint: 435 (>415)
Fuel%: <.05 (<2)
Antifreeze: 0 (0)
Water: 0 (<.1)
Insolubles: .4 (<.8)

I need to go back and read the "what it all means" section of the Blackstone site, but I'm wondering how much I should be concerned about the K level. Does it mean I have a cracked head looming? I noticed there is no actual antifreeze in the oil, per the percentages at the bottom of the report. They suggest I try 5,000 miles on the next oil batch, but I've always done 3K and that seems to be the recommended interval among MBers. Should I try a 5K batch to see what results it yields?

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Those numbers look great.

The Potassium is not an issue. The '86 has been running with much higher potassium (25-30) and sodium (35-40) but there is no evidence of anti-freeze in the oil.

You have no sodium and very low potassium so you should not have the slightest concern about a cracked head.

The engine also shows very low soot levels.

This oil could easily go another 2K-3K.

Mine has shown low levels of potassium for a long time. Nobody seems to know where it comes from. There is some suspicion that it might be from fuel addatives. If you had coolant getting into the oil, the sodium would be up also. Just take another sample next time and if there is no big change, don't worry about it. 10 ppm is not a high level.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

that eating oatmeal helps with the potassium levels too.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I would like to know the acidic level of used oil. Is there any way you can find that out from your sample?

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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I'm not sure what the pH would tell you about the engine.

I was more concerned about burning used motor oil.
There are people here who claim that the acid in used oil will harm injector pumps.
Of course no one has been able to come up with any proof for this claim.

I was just curious what the PH level really is.

I had some litmus paper but it got wet

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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how much does it cost to send those in?

where do you send/take it?

how fast is the turnaround?

Sorry for dumb questions..

Thanks!

__________________
-Matt

EPA Section 609 Certified MVAC Technician
-----------------
Oil Burner Kartel Member #10

Ahh the smell of Diesel Fuel, it's like coffee in the morning!

My Car:

1982 300SD Turbo Diesel (231,500 miles!) RIP

1984 300SD Turbo Diesel Custom (235,500 mi on driveline.) - On Road!!

www.icsrepair.com

After reading that list of metallic contaminates you are only worried about the pH?

Those numbers look pretty good. I'd just keep an eye on the Potassium, however I would be more concerned if it suddenly spiked.

You would have no problem going 5k between changes.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

What do you think is in your fuel oil?

No I am not worried about microscopic contaminants. If you can call them that.

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

Check out www.blackstone-labs.com. They have all sorts of info there. They also offer a free "collection kit" that you can sign up for online (go to "order" on the top menu and select "free test kit"). It's real simple ... you fill up the little bottle on your next oil change, fill out the little sheet with it, and add a $20 check. For $20 you get the whole workup that I posted above. The turnaround was quick ... they e-mailed that to me just a couple weeks after I sent the oil.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I have a vile sitting on my desk for the last four months as well.. never sent it in to blackstone

I've got two at home in the garage as well! More of a hasle getting the postage than it is to collect the oil.

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But what do I know...

1984 300SD 256k

Doing an oil analysis is great to see inside the engine. That is the way the oil should be changed anyway. Its just too expensive to do it that way.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
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I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair