Community Forums

Ramets · 01-17-2016, 04:24 AM

I have a Cummins ISC and just had an oil analysis done. The sodium level is higher than it should be(71). How concerned should I be?

palehorse89 · 01-17-2016, 06:23 AM

Here is a great web page to learn from about testing results from Bob the oil guy
Have you been loosing any coolant, having to add any?
Engine Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy
Seems compared to other results posted on here over time, yours is high. Did the comment on it? in their report?

Other threads:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/oil-...um-122673.html
Seems this has been going on http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/oil-...rt-244411.html
Has the levels increased between testing

Here is a posted test result http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...7&d=1399205230
from http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/need...is-202426.html

Ramets · 01-18-2016, 06:08 AM

This was the second analysis with a sodium reading of 71. Blackstone said sodium can indicate coolant, BUT it should also be showing high potassium which it's not. So they want me to wait another 5,000 miles and have another test done. I have a buyer for our coach and want to be sure everything is fine before he takes ownership. Blackstone didn't seem too excited, but I'm pretty anal retentive when it comes to anything I own. And especially something I'm going to pass on to someone else.

palehorse89 · 01-18-2016, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramets

This was the second analysis with a sodium reading of 71. Blackstone said sodium can indicate coolant, BUT it should also be showing high potassium which it's not. So they want me to wait another 5,000 miles and have another test done. I have a buyer for our coach and want to be sure everything is fine before he takes ownership. Blackstone didn't seem too excited, but I'm pretty anal retentive when it comes to anything I own. And especially something I'm going to pass on to someone else.

No coolant loss then, never have to add any?

Ramets · 01-19-2016, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

No coolant loss then, never have to add any?

Nope, nary a drop. That's what's so puzzling. Where else could sodium come from?

Airstreamer6 · 01-19-2016, 05:32 AM

Man, if I ever buy a used rig, I want it to come from YOU.

May Karma prevail.

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-19-2016, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstreamer6

Man, if I ever buy a used rig, I want it to come from YOU.

May Karma prevail.

X2.

**CountryFit** · 01-19-2016, 09:36 AM

sodium 71 is a little high. my last uoa showed sodium 4.
not sure what caused yours, but the followings could contribute to the result:

- oil additive constituent
- coolant additive
- road salt
- salt water
- fly ash
- dirt
- grease
...

WILDEBILL308 · 01-19-2016, 09:28 PM

The big question is the level increasing? Do you have the same oil in your coach as when you did the sample? I would go for a weekend run 200-300 miles and do another sample. If it has gone up 20-30ppm you might have a leak. If it hasn't gone up it is probably from your oil additive package.
Bill

Ramets · 01-20-2016, 03:12 AM

Two oil analysis done with 6,000 miles and a year between them, and the sodium level stayed the same 70-71. The oil changes were done in different parts of the country. So I'm at a loss.

palehorse89 · 01-20-2016, 03:39 AM

OK, what kind of oil are you running? Different oil both times?
Change your oil using a different brand, run it, and test again. this should see a level change.
If interested to the point that you might take a sample of the new oil and keep it, set it aside till you put some hours on the new oil,(500-1k miles) and send both samples in and see what come back.

Ramets · 01-20-2016, 05:11 AM

I'm assuming different oil each time since one change was in Maine, the other in Maryland. Blackstone doesn't have a clue either. I'll be getting another oil change done end of Feb., so we'll see what happens then. Again sodium at 71, but potassium was 0.