Iron is up slightly...

[blueline]

Tom,
I feel a bit sorry that you didn't receive any useful replies to your actual question.

With that in mind, did Blackstone comment on the change in iron level in your latest sample? I have used Blackstone for my 997.1 911 and my E60 M5, both fantastic cars with known engine reliability issues, and Blackstone has consistently commented on any changes, or lack thereof, in the oil analysis results. Your iron level change seems notable so, if Blackstone didn't mention it, my first step would be to ask them directly for their assessment of the change.

Good luck, hope this helps,
Grant

Thanks for the feedback and welcome to Carpokes!

[911-Purist]

I got my Blackstone report yesterday and iron was 16, up from a consistent 4-7 on previous reports. The universal average number is 9ppm. Same oil and change intervals, and no hard driving. I'm pretty sure this is not a terrible number, but I do wonder why it is up.

Thanks a lot! -Tom

Same change intervals by mileage, not time, I would assume.

And what exactly is a "universal average number"? Is that based on that particular engine and for the same mileage intervals?

The higher numbers all of a sudden could be due to breaking through a hardened surface coating providing low numbers into the slightly softer metal underneath it now providing higher numbers. Just a guess. Contact surfaces on rocker arms?

[fullyield]

Tom,

You are correct that iron would be from camshaft or crankshaft and not Lokasil cylinders (which are not iron). Could also be rod/crankshaft bearings but would expect to see some increased copper too if that were the case. My opinion depends on mileage on engine. Concerned if 20k miles and less concerned if 100k+ miles on engine Consider adding 2 oz. ZDDP per oil change and monitor with UOA. Best wishes.

[vitaminc]

FWIW, I’ve attached the last report from my 99 996. You can see that there were a couple of high iron numbers, which correspond the oldest readings, but overall they just tended to fluctuate. I wouldn’t worry until/unless you see consistently high numbers over multiple changes.

IMG_0745.jpeg (72.67 KiB) Viewed 96 times

Here is an example of iron that is too high (not mine): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-cont ... Report.pdf

[aboyandhisdog]

FWIW, I’ve attached the last report from my 99 996. You can see that there were a couple of high iron numbers, which correspond the oldest readings, but overall they just tended to fluctuate. I wouldn’t worry until/unless you see consistently high numbers over multiple changes.

IMG_0745.jpeg


Here is an example of iron that is too high (not mine): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-cont ... Report.pdf

Very helpful, thank you! Interesting report on that engine that blew. I'll bet he wishes he'd heeded the report from 4 years prior and maybe addressed the IMS with those high numbers. Of course, you never know for sure what is going on, I suppose. But then, that is why we do the oil analysis, isn't it?! Same reason I get a blood work-up every year!