Engine Oil Analysis: High Silicon

[Rubicon6MT]

Just had first oil change completed after 4,000 miles (6,500 km).

Note this was the first oil change since the factory fill.

I sent in a sample to get an analysis done, and all results came back normal except for silicone, which was 114 ppm and the limit/base is >30.

The lab believes the high level of silicon is due to break-in process of the new engine.

Any thoughts?

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[Maximus Gladius]

Silicon is dirt and manufacturing debris. Good thing you dumped it. Your next couple changes will show lower numbers.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The lab believes the high level of silicon is due to break-in process of the new engine.

Likely.

The only other cause is a leaking air filter seal or bad air filter.
But it's not uncommon for the first change to have higher levels like that.
The thing to watch for is - it should drop from there.

 

[HighNoon]

I followed a YouTube oil guys advice and had first oil change at around 600 miles. I also had them flush one quart of oil through. YouTube guy said that’s when it good to flush out what ever is there from initial wear.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

youtube guy..............

 

[HighNoon]

They do oil analysis at a lab. I don’t have the name. What’s the big deal. It makes sense to me. Harley Davidson does the first oil change at 1000 miles.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They do oil analysis at a lab. I don’t have the name. What’s the big deal. It makes sense to me. Harley Davidson does the first oil change at 1000 miles.

You are comparing motorcycle engines to car engines?


Maybe you are talking of Lake Speed Jr.
He does lab analysis.
Still, that 600 miles is something almost no one ever does, and isn't going to matter.
I do my first at 3000-4000 miles, almost always have and never had a bad oil analysis.

600 miles? That sounds like advice from 1960.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

There’s nothing wrong with first change at 600 miles, I do and was never confused what engine I was looking at. If someone here could make a sound argument for leaving the first change for way longer, I’d at least consider it, but old good habits are hard to break and nothing bad ever came of it.

At least the oil was changed. Some here don’t even know what that is.

 

[dos0711]

Did my first at 500. You do things your way and I’ll do them mine.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There’s nothing wrong with first change at 600 miles, I do and was never confused what engine I was looking at. If someone here could make a sound argument for leaving the first change for way longer, I’d at least consider it, but old good habits are hard to break and nothing bad ever came of it.

At least the oil was changed. Some here don’t even know what that is.

Nothing bad, but nothing gained, either. It's just the old school way of thinking dating back to when it was believed factories used "break-in oil" in the engines.
Doesn't matter the engine, it's the way of thinking that there's even such a thing used in engines.
Modern engines and manufacturing technology has long since gotten rid of the massive amount of "material" that would be in oil. Even decades ago, Ford printed in their books "the engine is broken in, no need to break it in".
Modern bearing materials and coatings, modern cylinder finishes, low tension rings - you have long since gotten rid of what may have been there in the past.

Hurt anything? No, but to suggest it's needed today, naw.
If it's a habit - go with it. There are bad habits that need attention, at least this one does no damage.

The only "argument" if it even is such a thing, for leaving it longer is - it's not at all needed. But then, that's easily countered with "it's a habit" so it looks like a wash!

I really wonder how I've gotten by all of these years - not a single engine loss (not even my own builds or builds for others over the years), oil samples look great.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Did my first at 500. You do things your way and I’ll do them mine.

Yup - your money, your Jeep.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yup - your money, your Jeep.

(and that's not meant in a negative way - it really IS yours to care for and keep maintained and enjoy as you see fit)

 

[dos0711]

(and that's not meant in a negative way - it really IS yours to care for and keep maintained and enjoy as you see fit)

Didn’t mean to bite, its just that with the cam failures it seemed a cheap and sensible precaution

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Didn’t mean to bite, its just that with the cam failures it seemed a cheap and sensible precaution

I think the cam thing has a lot of people "on edge".

I do my first oil changes "early" too, just not THAT early.
But we all operate on different experiences, inputs, levels of experiences in different areas and all of that combines to be part of our decision making.

Right now, my mood is based a lot on how much pain and discomfort I'm in and the influences of oxycodone, massive amounts of super-tylenol, big ibuprofen and whatever antibiotics they pumped into me. So.......... I need watching over more than usual!

 

[Maximus Gladius]

In all instances where someone wished they should have changed super early was when they saw an oil analysis report highlighting high silicon or in the case of my first engine, internal coolant leak. Lab told me, at that time, “don’t worry about this one, we often see the factory fill is dirty. Let’s see what the next one shows” and of course I had a manufacturer defect which allowed coolant in and FCA didn’t care.

Nobody who is made aware of dirty factory fill via analysis ever says, maybe I should have left it in there longer. So, changing early isn’t fear mongering, it’s just starting early with a clean slate you know, as a pose to leave it in longer based on trust of those that have no vested interest.

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