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Diesel oils have a high zinc content. I edited the original post to fix the confusing though I do live in Oregon and being high is completely legal now.
Diesel oils have a high zinc content. I edited the original post to fix the confusing though I do live in Oregon and being high is completely legal now.
I originally posted this because when I went looking for info, I found a lot of threads just like mine where people had high lead, asked about it on a message board and then never followed up with the resolution. Was everything okay? Did the engine grenade? It was like watching a movie and having the power go out halfway through.
So in case someone is finding this thread in the future, here's what the oil report looks like 3000 miles later:
I'm happy to see that lead went down, but it's not down to where it should be. Even so, my oil pressure is good, so I don't think I have a bearing issue. In fact, it's a little on the high side, so I'm dropping down to 10W/30 on this next fill. I haven't actually changed the oil yet (I use a pump to pull my samples), but I'll cut open the filter when I do.
Maybe this is really just normal break-in for Golen's engines? I dunno. Hopefully the data will help the next guy.
I don't baby it. In fact, Golen's break-in and operating instructions actually say outright NOT to baby it. When I say I drive it pretty much the same as I did before the swap, I didn't baby it then, either.
I don't think I'm overreacting, especially considering how much money I have in this thing. I'm just looking for answers, which haven't been easy to find. The only thing I've seen so far that would explain it (other than bearing wear) is where someone said that it's not uncommon for a core rebuilt after a bearing failure to still have a high dose of lead in the oil passages if the block wasn't cleaned properly. Maybe this block had a bearing failure in its past life, but given the care Golen usually uses with their motors, I would have expected it to have been thoroughly cleaned.
I wish I had saved the filter. It didn't even occur to me to cut it open.
In any case, there's nothing I can do about it now. I do appreciate the insight.
You posted to say you can't post? LOL.
You ARE over reacting. A Blackstone $20 UOA will not be accurate on a particle count. It will be OK for TBN to help determine your oil change interval. I had a Blackstone report on a Honda ATF sample that showed my trans was about to blow because of torque converter wear. The trans was still fine 100k miles later when my wife totalled it at 182k miles.
If it's a mall crawler, you need to dump that oil alot more often. I would just use Rotella 15w-40.
over reacting. A Blackstone $20 UOA will not be accurate on a particle count. It will be OK for TBN to help determine your oil change interval. I had a Blackstone report on a Honda ATF sample that showed my trans was about to blow because of torque converter wear. The trans was still fine 100k miles later when my wife totalled it at 182k miles.