2015 F Type Coupe Base
-Changed oil at 6900 miles
-Sent sample of factory fill oil to Blackstone for testing
-High in metal content but expected due to engine breaking in
-Will keep an eye on Potassium next time.

 

Is here a recommendation here?? .. like first oil change should be at 5,000 miles, or some such thing?

 

I'll be submitting mine when I get to my first oil change as well. I find these kinds of tests to be invaluable as part of a good engine maintenance plan.

 

I pulled a sample at 518 miles and figure to do it again at 5K or so. I'm planning to change the oil earlier than scheduled this first time, especially after seeing the 6900 mile results here. Not that they're bad, but metals are higher than my C30 showed at its first change (7500 miles, the recommended oil change interval for that car).

My 518 mile sample shows:

Aluminum 6
Iron 16
Copper 22

 

What does Potassium in the oil indicate?

 

Potassium generally comes from antifreeze...

Here is a great independent website that actually refers back to Blackstone labs.

Engine Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

 

I forwarded the results to one of our engineers and his comment was

"It is possible the potassium trace is from residual metal cutting fluid in the casting which remains after the wash process. The wash takes place prior to engine assembly."

We'll see if theres a drop in the potassium with my next oil change.

 

All understood - Thanks.

Just pricing up UK analysis centres...about double the price you guys pay :-(

 

On my C30 I was trying to verify that the specified 7500 mile interval was OK, so I was taking a sample at 5000, and again at 7500 when the oil was changed.

I had a sample that showed high potassium at 5000, and Blackstone suggested testing for coolant leakage. No signs were found, and when the same oil was retested at the time it was changed (7500) the potassium was gone. Our best theory was that there was some contamination in the sample. I'm not sure how I managed that, since I'm a pretty careful technician, but maybe the tubing I used to draw the sample had something in it.