Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide!



Go Back   Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide! > Technical Forums > Performance Talk

Click here to search for Mopar cars and parts for sale.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-18-2013, 05:27 PM
Shatto Shatto is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Concord, Caleefornia
Age: 78
Posts: 1,468
Default silicon in an oil analysis

Oil Analyzers Newsletter
Allen Bender, Manager

Does the presence of silicon in an oil analysis mean I have dirty oil?

While a motor oil analysis report that is flagged for an abnormal amount of silicon can indicate the presence of dirt in the oil, that isn’t always the case. Labs usually flag silicon once it reaches 20 ppm or more, which often suggests abrasives are the source and the oil should be changed. While this is possibly the case, silicon is the second-most abundant element in the earth’s crust and can come from a variety of non-abrasive sources.

First, silicon can be found in motor oil as an anti-foam additive, usually at levels of 10 ppm or less.

Silicone will also show up as silicon in an analysis, which can mean silicone is leaching into the oil from fresh gaskets or silicone sealant. This is often seen in the first oil sample following engine repairs and is not detrimental to the oil.

Silicon can also come from a coolant leak if the coolant has silicates in its formula. Other tests will confirm whether coolant is the source.

That leaves common dirt. Dirt can be identified by the presence of silicon coupled with aluminum at a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio. That would indicate the aluminum is not from wear metal, rather, it is from dirt (aluminum is the third-most common element in the earth’s crust). Speaking of wear metals, if your oil does contain dirt, you will see an increase in iron levels and possibly other metals as well.

If oil analysis confirms the presence of dirt and wear metals, change the oil and filter. If the amount of contamination is flagged as severe, you might want to flush the engine as well. Finally, find and repair the area allowing dirt into your engine (usually a gap in the air intake system) to prevent more damage.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-21-2013, 09:37 AM
340_GTS 340_GTS is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Torrington, CT
Posts: 687
Default

Silicone is a type of rubber, like you said from gasket sealants or whatever.

Silicon is a mineral. Think of sand... mostly silicon.

These are two completely different things. You seem to have the two confused in a couple of your sentences.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-22-2017, 07:18 PM
sfr sfr is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kasilf/AK
Posts: 272
Default

I been to a couple of oil classes and monitor the lab reports in our heavy duty shop we get those reports mostly when we have just rebuilt an engine or dusted one
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Analysis: Greece's crisis could presage America's Frankie Off-Topic Forum 8 03-15-2010 07:01 PM
Cap and Trade Bill: Quick Summary and Analysis Frankie Off-Topic Forum 2 03-12-2009 04:44 PM
Football Analysis By A Blonde SUN RA KAT Joke Forum 1 03-21-2004 05:25 AM
Motor Oil Chemical Analysis Testing? Blue97Dak Ram Truck Chat 8 05-25-2001 01:00 PM
Silicon brake fluid hemivaliant Vintage MOPAR chat 5 02-19-2000 11:25 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
. . . . .