Sodium and Potassium in oil

I've been using Blackstone for well over 20 years, for the cars as well. I don't think any of us are questioning who did your analysis, just explaining to you why we prefer Blackstone. Plus they're commentary is sometimes colorful and makes me laugh.
 
We used Motor Check for years on the boats (all Diesel). I think I have ten (times five) reports from them. Then when an engine was "making oil" and the report showed normal we became concerned. Found that analysis for fuel was a special request which we thought SOP. They had never been analyzing for fuel in the oil....
I moved over to Blackstone since.
Anyhow, remember these numbers are Parts Per Million so not indicative of any significant leakage unless this is fresh oil. They did say something to the effect that hours on the oil was a concern. If a couple of drops of antifreeze got into the dipstick or oil fill port during service then this would be what would show. The thing to do here is to pull another sample on the same oil then put ten or so hours on the engine and pull a third sample and compare the details. I'm sure the owner won't have any issues with this especially if the perspective buyer takes this on. I would use Motor Check for the continuing sampling so there is consistency in the testing methodology. As in all analysis this is a comparative science.
 
Also, check the intake bolts to make sure they're tight. They're known for coming slightly loose over time. It doesn't take much to loosen up to let a minute amount of coolant through.
 
Another thing to keep this in perspective... the reading as mentioned is in 'parts per million'. I would think if it's a cracked head or something major, it would show much worse than what you're seeing. I can almost put money on it being gasket related.

Do you know what oil brand/type was used? It doesn't say so in the report. Some oils will show higher levels of sodium than others. One of your engines shows sodium & potassium - that is more likely related to coolant. The other engine shows sodium only. That could possibly be related to oil only. The advice here has been good. I'd grab another sample on the current oil if it hasn't been changed, then change it and resample in 10 hours or so.

Of note, I had elevated sodium levels in my boat before I purchased it. It doesn't have a closed cooling system, only raw water cooling. I found out the guy was an oil distributor for more industrial type oils and that's what he utilized in the engines. The oil results were definitely a little wacky.
 
douglee25 said:
Another thing to keep this in perspective... the reading as mentioned is in 'parts per million'. I would think if it's a cracked head or something major, it would show much worse than what you're seeing. I can almost put money on it being gasket related.

Another thing, do you know what oil brand/type was used? It doesn't say so in the report. Some oils will show higher levels of sodium than others. One of your engines shows sodium & potassium - that is more likely related to coolant. The other engine shows sodium only. That could possibly be related to oil only. The advice here has been good. I'd grab another sample on the current oil if it hasn't been changed, then change it and resample in 10 hours or so.

Of note, I had elevated sodium levels in my boat before I purchased it. It doesn't have a closed cooling system, only raw water cooling. I found out the guy was an oil distributor for more industrial type oils and that's what he utilized in the engines. The oil results were definitely a little wacky.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't change the oil and resample. You are looking for delta (changes) on common data basis; the existing oil is an important common data basis.
Re-sample now to validate the data at hand. Samples can get contaminated.
Sample again on the same oil with more hours on the engine to see if the values in question are changing.
 
ttmott said:
I wouldn't change the oil and resample. You are looking for delta changes on common data basis; the existing oil is an important common data basis.
Re-sample now to validate the data at hand. Samples can get contaminated.
Sample again on the same oil with more hours on the engine to see if the values in question are changing.
Click to expand...

Your method would work as well.
 
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