I decided to have my engine oil analyzed after changing it this fall.
It's a good thing I did, because they found antifreeze in it. That, plus
my having to add antifreeze once in a while towards the end of the
season tells me I have a serious problem. Not so serious while it's on
the trailer and easy to transport to the engine guy, but a lot more
serious had I noticed this problem next June 100nm north of Prince
Rupert on the way to Juneau! We're guessing there is a cracked head or
bad head gasket.

Anyways, they also found 340ppm of iron in the oil, which they call
abnormal. Is this a problem at that level?

This is from a 1987 5.7L 260hp with 770 hours on it. I also ran it 165
hours on Amsoil 15-40 marine diesel oil this season before the change,
although the analysis showed no signs the oil was deficient.

Capt. Jeff

In article ,
Tamaroak wrote:


I decided to have my engine oil analyzed after changing it this fall.
It's a good thing I did, because they found antifreeze in it. That, plus
my having to add antifreeze once in a while towards the end of the
season tells me I have a serious problem. Not so serious while it's on
the trailer and easy to transport to the engine guy, but a lot more
serious had I noticed this problem next June 100nm north of Prince
Rupert on the way to Juneau! We're guessing there is a cracked head or
bad head gasket.

Anyways, they also found 340ppm of iron in the oil, which they call
abnormal. Is this a problem at that level?

This is from a 1987 5.7L 260hp with 770 hours on it. I also ran it 165
hours on Amsoil 15-40 marine diesel oil this season before the change,
although the analysis showed no signs the oil was deficient.

Capt. Jeff

Yeah, it is a problem, and probably a consequence of the coolant being in
there (abnomrally high wear)

Fix the coolant problem, do a few short-interval changes, and then resample
and see if those iron numbers return to normal.

--
--
Karl Denninger ) Internet Consultant & Kids Rights Activist
http://www.denninger.net My home on the net - links to everything I do!
http://scubaforum.org Your UNCENSORED place to talk about DIVING!
http://www.spamcuda.net SPAM FREE mailboxes - FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
http://genesis3.blogspot.com Musings Of A Sentient Mind

Strongly suspect Karl is right. Many years ago, I found out that aluminum
heads had to be refaced, even when just changing a head gasket. Eventually
wound up doing a complete engine job. Antifreeze sure does a number on
moving parts. Rebuilder might have an opinion after a look at cylinder
sleeves when head is off.

Good luck, and make really sure all is well before heading offshore!

surfnturf

"Karl Denninger" wrote Yeah, it is a problem, and
probably a consequence of the coolant being in there (abnomrally high wear)
Fix the coolant problem, do a few short-interval changes, and then resample
and see if those iron numbers return to normal.