Well guys, I have received some info recently from Blackstone Labs concerning a UOA (Used Oil Analysis) I've recently had run. You can see it here, if interested (see the first post there):

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...05#Post3102005

Anyway, the issue I'm having is this: they are saying that while all of the other wear metals for my engine are low, aluminum is quite high for the universal averages for my engine. There is negligible fuel dilution, and no anti-freeze or water to be found to cause oil dilution, so I don't think it's an issue like that. What rotating components would likely be aluminum in a factory-built 5.9? This one has me scratching my head lol.

Also, my 360 has 223500 on the odo, and I've been running Quaker State Ultimate Durability 10w30 (a synthetic, though I hear some around here like dino better in their engines). I've run the oil 4100 miles and has been primarily highway miles (like 90/10, with a little aggressive driving) and I didn't add any oil though it consumed probably 1 or 1.5 quarts (it was down close to the bottom safe line, so I think from now on I'll be topping off when I need it, oh and the plenum will get done as soon as I have the money saved, hopefully soon). Thanks guys in advance....

 

i cant remember or not but the plenum might be aluminum... or its thin sheet metal. cant remember. only thing i can thing of is maybe the bearings...they are made of aluminum alloy arnt they? not sure why you had this analysis done, but i would fix the plenum, and make sure your plugs and o2 sensor is good(the upstream), and run some motor flush thru the engine for 10-15 mins then drain it and do an oil change. might even do a seafoam treatment with the motor flush, that way while ur changin the oil the seafoam is workin its magic...

 

Timing cover possibly? Do you have an aluminum oil pan?

Are those particle counts in PPM (parts per million)? If so, those numbers really are not that high.

 

i read through all of the thread linked above and I see you are using 1 to 1.5 qts of oil between changes (4100 miles). Sounds like you have a blown plenum gasket.

 

I use blackstone for my PSD every oil change.. they are a good outfit..

aluminum can be found in pistons.. one type.
aluminum can be found in bearings.. another type distinguishable from the kind used for pistons..

w/o looking at the report, what grade of aluminum was found?

 

Water pump?

One would think that aluminum showing up in the oil would have to come from some MOVING part. Pistons are indeed aluminum, and represent the largest possible source. (considering the amount of swept area.....)

 

Definitely time to fix the plenum, this much I know lol

And yes I do believe Blackstone measures metal content in ppm, but it is higher than the universal averages for the engine according to the report (25ppm vs. 4 ppm, but I think their averages are a bit low imo). I was wondering about the pistons myself HY, thanks for the info there! Drew, they don't state the grade, just that there was aluminum present (same with the other metals found in the oil too). Btw, Drew, don't I happen to know you from somewhere, a previous PC forum maybe?

 

Wonder what their rating criteria are on the oil...... how many miles on it, how many miles on the engine, etc. Seems all of these things could alter the content.

How many miles did ou have on that oil?

 

223500 on the engine, 4100 miles on the oil.......

 

Hhhmmmm..... I don't think that would account for six times the average amount of aluminum in the oil.......

What are your compression numbers like? Ever tested it? Does it run good? Burn any oil?