0w20 Valvoline HM Full Syn, 5000mi, '07 Ram 1500

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Location
Indian Valley, Virginia
2007 Ram 1500
3.7l V6 (iron block, aluminum heads)
135,000 miles at time of sample, 5000mi interval

Did the analysis to see if I can extend the interval. Going to send a sample off at 7k to see where I am and if all is good try and get to 10k.

I did see that my silicon and sodium are higher than average. Wondering if it is time for a new air filter?
Blackstone said no sign of anti-freeze or water so could the sodium be from the additive package?

Code:


OIL Valvoline HM FS 0w20

MILES IN USE 5k

MILES 135k

SAMPLE TAKEN 7/6/17



ALUMINUM 2

CHROMIUM 1

IRON 15

COPPER 5

LEAD 0

TIN 0

MOLYBDENUM 4

NICKEL 1

MANGANESE 0

SILVER 0

TITANIUM 0

POTASSIUM 2

BORON 2

SILICON 14

SODIUM 284

CALCIUM 1917

MAGNESIUM 11

PHOSPHORUS 567

ZINC 676

BARIUM 0

SUS VIS 210ºF 54.3

cSt @ 100ºC 8.57

FLASHPOINT ºF 415

FUEL %
ANTIFREEZE % 0.0%

WATER % 0.0%

INSOLUBLES 0.2%

WATER 0

TBN 2.9
 
A second good looking UOA today on Valvoline synthetic. I see no reason to be concerned with going to a 7-7.5k OCI and perhaps beyond. Additional analysis will show of 10k is possible. I suspect it will be.
 
The sodium is part of the add pack so, nothing to worry about. Silicon is a little high so, you probably should replace the air filter. Nice report!!
 
5000 miles and TBN = 2.9 with 15 ppm Iron and still in grade with KV100 = 8.57 cSt

Good report and still lots of life left in the oil.
 
*update*
So in general I think the higher copper, and higher metals all around, is from how I drew the sample I sent off (did not drain and replace). I used some small diameter air hose to siphon out of the dipstick tube to get the sample. Since it was a cold sample and the tube was probably hitting the bottom of the pan...I think I got all the dregs at the bottom that they tell you not to send in (supposed to pull the sample from the middle of the oil drain is the way I understand it). Won't know for sure until the 10k sample though.

Silicon is still high despite the new air filter. I inspected all of the tubing and such and there are no leaks. I think it is just that I really am driving through a lot of fine dirt dust everyday. Gravel roads near my house, and never ending road construction on the highway. I'm not super worried at this point.


Code:


OIL Valvoline HM FS 0w20

MILES IN USE 5k 7.5k

MILES 135k 142.5

SAMPLE TAKEN 7/6/17 9/14/17



ALUMINUM 2 3

CHROMIUM 1 1

IRON 15 18

COPPER 5 12

LEAD 0 0

TIN 0 0

MOLYBDENUM 4 4

NICKEL 1 1

MANGANESE 0 0

SILVER 0 0

TITANIUM 0 0

POTASSIUM 2 3

BORON 2 3

SILICON 14 18

SODIUM 284 376

CALCIUM 1917 2256

MAGNESIUM 11 12

PHOSPHORUS 567 655

ZINC 676 802

BARIUM 0 0

SUS VIS 210ºF 54.3 56.3

cSt @ 100ºC 8.57 9.14

FLASHPOINT ºF 415 410

FUEL %
ANTIFREEZE % 0.0% 0.0%

WATER % 0.0% 0.0%

INSOLUBLES 0.2% 0.2%

TBN 2.9 2.7
 
Thanks for the update....2500 miles longer and the TBN barely budged - very nice. If gravel roads are involved, you're silicon looks fine - 18ppm in 7.5k is acceptable IMO. Valvoline delivers again.
 
*Update*
So last time I thought the high copper was just me drawing from the bottom of the pan for the sample...now I am very confused
confused.gif


Oil is the same fill as the 7.5k sample

Code:


OIL Valvoline HM FS 0w20

MILES IN USE 5k 7.5k 10k

MILES 135k 142.5k 145k

SAMPLE TAKEN 7/6/17 9/14/17 10/25/17



ALUMINUM 2 3 4

CHROMIUM 1 1 1

IRON 15 18 26

COPPER 5 12 36

LEAD 0 0 0

TIN 0 0 0

MOLYBDENUM 4 4 5

NICKEL 1 1 1

MANGANESE 0 0 0

SILVER 0 0 0

TITANIUM 0 0 0

POTASSIUM 2 3 4

BORON 2 3 2

SILICON 14 18 12

SODIUM 284 376 334

CALCIUM 1917 2256 1705

MAGNESIUM 11 12 10

PHOSPHORUS 567 655 533

ZINC 676 802 614

BARIUM 0 0 0

SUS VIS 210ºF 54.3 56.3 58.9

cSt @ 100ºC 8.57 9.14 9.90

FLASHPOINT ºF 415 410 395

FUEL %
ANTIFREEZE % 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

WATER % 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

INSOLUBLES 0.2% 0.2% 0.3%

TBN 2.9 2.7 2.7


They way I understand it copper is only an issue if there is other wear metals in unusually high amounts. Other wear metals are at normal ranges for the mileage on the oil. I also read that if the oil gets acidic then it can pull copper from the oil cooler, but wouldn't the TBN have to be low for that to happen?
Actually what is up with the TBN not changing? Is that normal?

To be honest I'm not sure what to make of the results. I'm going to do another sample at 7-7.5k and see what that turns up but would like to hear any thoughts.
 
Your iron wear is fine, your TBN is steady - it depletes slower as it gets lower (so I've heard). But what catches my eye is that the KV100 viscosity is increasing and the flash point is decreasing.

It started off as a 20 grade oil, but with KV100 = 9.9 cSt it's now a 30 grade oil. Is this oxidative thickening ?
 
Originally Posted By: SR5
Your iron wear is fine, your TBN is steady - it depletes slower as it gets lower (so I've heard). But what catches my eye is that the KV100 viscosity is increasing and the flash point is decreasing.

It started off as a 20 grade oil, but with KV100 = 9.9 cSt it's now a 30 grade oil. Is this oxidative thickening ?


What is oxidative thickening? Well really what does that mean in application (I gather that it is the hydrocarbons oxidizing or somesuch)?

If I remember the owners manual correctly 5w30 and 5w20 are both recommended for the engine. I go 0w20 due to availability (it wasn't commonly available when this engine was produced but others have had good results using it in the 3.7l).
 
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