oil analysis results

[bd32322]

I am curious as to what people's oil analysis results for Iron and Copper are?

I have only had 2 oil analysis results - so no definite trend established yet - that too with different oils both time (aeroshell 100W and aeroshell 15W50). Hence I am not so sure whats normal and whats not.

My Iron count was 49 and Copper was 22 - both supposedly green - but wondering what other people see. My engine is about 1800 hours old ..

Thanks in advance...

[BigTex]

Who did you use to do your analysis? They should of provided "Universal Averages" based on your engine type until you have more samples to allow you to trend your results.

[Cruiser]

Blackstone Universal averages for Lycoming IO360 engines is

Iron = 23

Copper = 7

At this point if you only have two data points on an 1800 hr. engine I don't know how you would take any action from oil analysis. Typically it is a long term trending indicator.

[bd32322]

  On 10/23/2012 at 10:46 PM, Cruiser said:

Blackstone Universal averages for Lycoming IO360 engines is

Iron = 23

Copper = 7

At this point if you only have two data points on an 1800 hr. engine I don't know how you would take any action from oil analysis. Typically it is a long term trending indicator.

I used some outfit called aviation oil analysis.. Bought the prepaid sample stuff from aircraft spruce.

I only bought the airplane at 1700 hours, so havent had too many opportunities to do oil analysis. Previous owners had done analysis in 2008 at 500 smoh and the numbers were in line with what you mention.

I will do some more trending and as long as the trend is stable, i wont take any action.

[jetdriven]

  On 10/23/2012 at 9:26 PM, bd32322 said:

I am curious as to what people's oil analysis results for Iron and Copper are?

I have only had 2 oil analysis results - so no definite trend established yet - that too with different oils both time (aeroshell 100W and aeroshell 15W50). Hence I am not so sure whats normal and whats not.

My Iron count was 49 and Copper was 22 - both supposedly green - but wondering what other people see. My engine is about 1800 hours old ..

Thanks in advance...

15W50 will show a false high copper count. Ignore it. It leaches copper flashing from the internal parts.

[bd32322]

  On 10/24/2012 at 12:27 AM, jetdriven said:

15W50 will show a false high copper count. Ignore it. It leaches copper flashing from the internal parts.

Thanks for the info, but i switched from 15w50 to aeroshell 100 to test out the copper theory. What happened instead is that my iron doubled for no apparent reason from 26 to 49. Copper stayed the same.

I think i do have a problem with the oil cooler maybe, but i am not too worried about that yet. The iron i am thinking is a fluke reading from the lab given that none of the other metals changed and there were no changes with how I fly or how it flies. Will see what the next sample says. Both samples were taken at 25 hours.

To make matters even more variable, i have switched to exxon elite 20w50. Lets see what happens with that one i plan on staying with exxon for the remainder of the engine's life.

[1964-M20E]

I do not have any experience with engine oil analysis but I do have some with oil analysis on large power transformers. It is the trends you really need to look at. Specific numbers are good but I have had the same lab give me significant differences with samples taken hours apart. You would expect to see consistent numbers. It all depens on how the handle the sample.

[fantom]

Aviation Oil Analysis is a good testing lab, much like Blackstone. They point out engine averages and trends. Settle on one oil, Elite is excellent, do testing several times a year and watch the trending. If you have concerns call AOA.

Cutting open and inspecting your filter every time is MUCH more important.

[M016576]

  On 10/24/2012 at 1:58 AM, fantom said:

Aviation Oil Analysis is a good testing lab, much like Blackstone. They point out engine averages and trends. Settle on one oil, Elite is excellent, do testing several times a year and watch the trending. If you have concerns call AOA.

Cutting open and inspecting your filter every time is MUCH more important.

Yep... Truth data lays in the cracks of the filter element! In my case, 17.5 AMUs worth of truth data....