Is it normal for a used engine oil (after 5000km) to have high iron (23ppm), copper (18ppm), aluminium (8ppm). I know it's supposed to be due to engine wear, but how high is considered high? Any limits that I can refer to?

What about increase in magnesium (increase of 400ppm) and calcium (increase 80ppm)? Aren't that supposed to be additives and should be depleted?

I think this is little bit high,since the engine run only 5000 km.

It is better to approch the OEM,because different engine manufactures will have different limits.

But generally,23 ppm iron is not considered as critical level.18 ppm copper indicates bearing wear,is not a good sign.

Mg and Ca are additive metals and its low level indicates the additive depletion.


Regards

The Mg and Ca levels increased in the used oil. The new oil is Mg-1177ppm and Ca-11ppm. The used oil is Mg-1592ppm and Ca-95ppm. How do we explain this?

My guess is that your oil is Mobil Delvac. Variance in Mg and Ca may be because of high calibration curves in your labs icp/rde. Or contamination from other type of engine oil (like the old oil in the engine).

If contamination is the cause,then it will reflect in other parameters also.

You can get it tested from other labs also.So that you can compare the results.

Part of this will depend on how new the engine is. Also, how many miles are on the oil and what type of oil.
Do you have a trend, or is this a single sample?

Mobil Delvac 1300 ****** & Mobi Delvac MX have a high concentration of Calcium (2100 - 2400 ppm) and Magnesium (350 - 450), and the Mobil Delvac 1200 ****** have a concentration of 1200 ppm of magnesium (due to the Magnesium sulfonate).

It could be a problem of contamination during the sampling?

or

Depending of the calibration curve and settings of the ICP or RDE? could be another problem specifically with the ICP because if the rinse time between sample is not large enough could generated contamination in the sample introduction system, (tubing, chamber and nebulizer... (Analytical Memory)

regards
pcancino