Oil analysis results

[Iceni John]

Oil analysis works best when the oil has many hours or miles on it and has had the time to accumulate particulates and stuff.  Is the mill an older DD 2 stroke?   Do they make inexpensive do-it-yourself tests to check the coolant for oil infiltration?

It's a 1990 silver 6V92, so it's not an oldie.   My concern is that the rate of coolant contamination is high if I'm getting warning signs after only 1000 miles.   If the same readings were after 10,000 miles, that would indicate a contamination rate ten times less, not in itself good but overall less of a concern.   On Clifford's recommendation I will look inside the airboxes and see if coolant is visible there.

I've not heard of a DIY coolant test for oil contamination.   Is it a bad thing if a tiny amount of oil is circulating around the coolant system?   I've heard of owners of older English cars (that need all the help they can get to keep them going!) putting small amounts of oil into their coolant "to lubricate the water pump".

Thanks, John

[Geoff]

Standard procedure is to let the engine sit for a while (day or two) then crack the oil pan drain bolt and slowly unscrew it until 1. oil starts to ooze out or 2. Anti-freeze/water comes out.  If #2 happens you have a problem.  At this point you drain the oil, take off the oil pan, and pressurize the cooling system.  You then see where the coolant is coming from, and from that you can tell if it is the liner o-rings, left or right side of the head seals, the water pump, or even the aftercooler oil rings.  Of course, there is always the possibility that the block is cracked.  Oh, it could also be an injector tube and what ever else I can't think of at the moment.  In any case you get to play detective.

--Geoff

[Iceni John]

I put a Fumoto oil drain valve on my engine, so it's easy to drain oil or get samples.   I'll draw off some oil tonight and look at it carefully.

Thanks, John