Oil test show high copper?

[Statgeek]

Hoping for some specific expertise here.. I did my 1year oil change on my new coach. This is actually the second oil change, as I had Fleetwood do the first one back in December. The unit is a new 2013 cummins 380hp on a Freightliner chassis.

I had the work done at Speedco (and verified they used the same fleetguard filters that were removed). Speedco offers an $17 oil analysis, so I did that just to get a baseline., I was surprised to learn of high copper in my oil? Here's a picture of the analysis, and there's more info there.



The copper reading is 59.

Anyone know if this is bad, and how bad? Where would I be picking up copper from? What should I do about this??

[palehorse89]

Some reading till others chime in.....I have read on here and else where this is normal for a new engine..... Copper and Your Diesel Engine Oils

[Statgeek]

Thanks pale horse.

[94-Newmar]

Perfectly normal on a new radiator & engine in a new chassis AND/OR after replacing a radiator on an older engine.

[AKJohn]

You might try contacting these guys with questions about your specific engine.

https://cumminsengines.com/customer-care.aspx

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Statgeek

Hoping for some specific expertise here.. I did my 1year oil change on my new coach. This is actually the second oil change, as I had Fleetwood do the first one back in December. The unit is a new 2013 cummins 380hp on a Freightliner chassis.

I had the work done at Speedco (and verified they used the same fleetguard filters that were removed). Speedco offers an $17 oil analysis, so I did that just to get a baseline., I was surprised to learn of high copper in my oil? Here's a picture of the analysis, and there's more info there.

Attachment 76845

The copper reading is 59.

Anyone know if this is bad, and how bad? Where would I be picking up copper from? What should I do about this??

Since this is essentially a new engine, consider this exactly what you called it; a base line. Be sure to do this same thing at every oil change & a useful pattern will appear. You can pull a sample yourself and send it out to Blackstone or JG Lube services or many others if you wish.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Statgeek]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I agree with you all that my issue is likely just new-engine chemistry, but I will also follow the advice given above. I have to call Freightliner on an unrelated issue too, so I'll discuss with them just so that if my readout turns out to be diagnostic of some problem, I'll have it on record that I talked to them and followed their advice. My guess is that I have no problems whatsoever, but better safe than sorry! These engines are way too expensive to be faced with major problems.

[palehorse89]

This is a great place to ask questions of all sorts and find answers.........when a problem arises.......someone else somewhere has been through it already! Safe travels and enjoy your new Coach!

[Harley1994]

Radiators have no effect on copper in your oil water and oil "don't mix" copper in oil comes from bearings, in a new engine you get a higher number from the engine breaking in then it should go down and level off if it was to go higher something is not right, we used oil testing on race engines to tell internal condition.

[Statgeek]

Update: I told Freightliner about my "high" copper... and they echoed the suggestions from many of you above. They said no-worries, and confirmed that high copper is expected in new engines. they mentioned something about a copper core in the radiator, but they lost me on the details, as my mind was mainlyfocused on the "don't worry" part of the message. They suggested a repeat analysis with next oil change and I should see that level come down.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by AKJohn

You might try contacting these guys with questions about your specific engine.
https://cumminsengines.com/customer-care.aspx

Or an "oil testing" laboratory.