Just had an oil call analysis at speako. The oil had 6000 miles on it. The potassium level was 34 ppm sodium was 42 ppm. Person doing the analysis said that this is an indication coolant is getting into my engine oil. should I be concerned with these levels?

With the two, the indicators are that of coolant incursion, but also check for boron, chromium, and other elements.

A secondary indicator is an increase of the oil's viscosity, and this should be looked at. A specific analysis for ethylene glycol is worthwhile.

The C8.3 being a wet-sleeve engine, the appropriate coolant additives or base formulation are important, so make sure your coolant has them.

Bottom line: The readings are close to trace amounts of K and Na, but still worth noting. Change the oil and filter, and test again at another identical interval. And check with Cummins for its opinion, as mine is generic from my time as a fuels and lube engineer. I would be concerned, but not panicked.

Kevin, oil has 115 hours on it.

Rusty
The analysis did show an above normal viscosity but there were no trace amounts of glycol.

Kevin, Thanks for the math lesson. I failed to write down the mileage at my last oil change but I did write down the hours. Since that last oil change we went to Las Vegas and back which was 3000 miles round-trip also we went to Indiana and that was about 1600 miles round-trip. We went to Branson 4 times about 120 miles each way and we went to Saint Louis several times which is about 110 miles each way. Total all this up and your get vsomewhere between five and 6000 miles, I just made a guess. Also it was mostly interstate miles and I travel at 65 MPH. The antifreeze next thanks

quote:

Have your antifreeze checked also.

Excellent advice!

I have read that the Speedco analysis are not very accurate. I would send a sample to a recognized lab.

It's Speedco. I input by talking and the iPad does not always pick up the correct spelling. I also called Cummings and they did not seem to be too concerned about it. They said to check it again after the next oil change. Thanks to all for helping out.