With 15000 miles on oil my oil scan came back with 629ppm copper, ABNORMAL WEAR it stated

I sampled the oil with only 11000 miles on it and there was only 17ppm then
Truck had 25000 miles on it when scan was taken at 15000 miles on oil, hope my bearings aren't going?

I think I have read it is from the cooler. If memory serves it drops as the miles go up.
Might do a search

High copper is common early in the DuraMax motor. It is believed to come from the components or brazing in the oil cooler and should trail off as the engine wears in. As long as copper only is high, not to worry. If you've got high numbers in copper, lead, steel and/or aluminum - then you should start to worry about a bad bearing.

I dont know what to tell you, if its normal or waht, but I would definitly let the general know your concerns, your findings and get it on record, see waht they have to say, and at least its on record of something happens down the road.

It's the cooler and it's normal. The additive package in the oil leaches a bit of copper off the cooler, no big deal. We have hundreds of trucks and no matter what the brand of engine (Cat Cummins or Det.) they all do it and it goes away after the 3rd or 4th oil change usually.

For whatever it's worth,after the second 5K mile changeout with Schaeffer,their lab suggested I change now with a copper reading of 60.She said just to be safe--just at a marginal limit was explained.

i send a oil scan in for the reason of making sure it is ok to go the extended drain interval, while there to scan they check to for 26 different things ranging from various metals to amount of soot
Thanks for the info and i will still be keeping track of it.
Yes it was just copper no other metal so it hopefully is just the cooler thanks guys.

I had comparable results. It'll go down, after a few oil changes.

I had comparable results. It'll go down, after a few oil changes.

Same here, not quite as high as yours but it did lower with time. I started oil sampling around 75,000. I am at 127,000 now and after 2 changes my copper is in specs:)

If it were me I would consult someone who really knows what they are talking about. I've used Terry Dyson alot in the past to gets his info on my analysis results. Well worth the money IMO.

http://www.dysonanalysis.com/

well i got 15000 out of the first change, it could of went longer but i just changed it anyways, will push it as far as i can this change. i can't see how talking with anybody is going to pinpoint the problem unless you were to rip the motor apart and check but maybe they are good guessers?[COLOR=black]thanks again for the help.

Any time I have gone over 10,000 mile on an oil change my levels go up alot.
so I try to stay 7,500 and they come back very clean, I just think this is when the oil begans to brake done faster. JMO
Using RotellaT 15w-40.

What was the acidity of your oil? This is what will dissolve copper over time. Acidity usually climbs slowly over time. If you are not happy with the copper numbers change your oil more often. This will keep the acid content lower.

Just another confirmation for you on the high copper measurements...

I had my oil analyzed at 6000 miles (5000 miles on the oil) and everything came back excellent except for copper which was slightly high, but still serviceable. The oil analyzing company I use told me this was perfectly normal for my vehicle and mileage on the engine and to keep running the oil for at least another 5000 miles.

By the way, I run AMSOIL EVERYWHERE also! :damnit1: :D

My experience has been the opposite with respect to Cu levels. Fine up until about 60K miles, and then elevated since then. Doesn't matter if I am at 6K on an oil change, or 15K; Cu tests high. This is testing from the same lab and with the same brand and grade of oil since truck was new. Every other item tested comes back well in spec.

Don't fully understand why my Cu levels test the way they do, but it is giving me no indication that I am having something going on in the motor, so I am going with the theory that I am leeching Cu from the oil cooler.

My 2 cents worth.

My experience has been the opposite with respect to Cu levels. Fine up until about 60K miles, and then elevated since then. Doesn't matter if I am at 6K on an oil change, or 15K; Cu tests high. This is testing from the same lab and with the same brand and grade of oil since truck was new. Every other item tested comes back well in spec.

Don't fully understand why my Cu levels test the way they do, but it is giving me no indication that I am having something going on in the motor, so I am going with the theory that I am leeching Cu from the oil cooler.

My 2 cents worth.

I think you're not quite understanding what I tried to say. :) The Cu levels are high for the first 10-15K miles on the truck (odometer). The high initial Cu levels isn't a factor of how long the oil has been in the engine, but rather how many hours are on the engine since it was manufactured.

I think you're not quite understanding what I tried to say. :) The Cu levels are high for the first 10-15K miles on the truck (odometer). The high initial Cu levels isn't a factor of how long the oil has been in the engine, but rather how many hours are on the engine since it was manufactured.

Actually, I think you're not understanding what I tried to say, or I did not make myself clear. :) I understand what your point was, but was pointing out that I am experiencing the oppostie condition; low Cu levels with a new motor, and elevated Cu levels once the truck broke in good. Most folks experience tend to mirror yours, rather than mine, so I was just offering up a different perspective.

I also confirmed that it did not matter how many miles were on the oil change with my experiences as well.

I understand what your point was, but was pointing out that I am experiencing the oppostie condition; low Cu levels with a new motor, and elevated Cu levels once the truck broke in good. Most folks experience tend to mirror yours, rather than mine, so I was just offering up a different perspective.

I also confirmed that it did not matter how many miles were on the oil change with my experiences as well.

Interesting...making note to self... :D

Let's try to keep the discussion off the oil brands and on the analysis this time. Thanks!

Where is everybody getting their oil analysis done at...Thanks...

I'm using AV Lubricants www.avlube.com

john deere, pick it up at any jd store

john deere, pick it up at any jd store

Or any Cat dealership--I run all Deere iron,but their prices have gotten crazy lately.Just recently,I needed some 3/4'' grade 8 bolts--Deere was $17 and change,Cat was $8 and change plus theirs is better.No one has better hardware than Cat.I have to remember to remove my JD hat next time I go in--yeah,there have been comments.:)

Keep haveing the oil looked at and they say it should come down with every change.