trimster Posted June 10 Report Share Posted June 10 I've had 2 oil samples done on my truck. Once before buying it and the last one a few weeks back. Took them to the same place and they combined the reports. Very nice for seeing trends I think. There's a warning on this last one. Need help from anyone who knows what this means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geodog1 Posted June 10 Report Share Posted June 10 It means that you have an injector leaking fuel into one or more cylenders. Just like it says. Good Luck ShortyO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted June 10 Report Share Posted June 10 (edited) Can you verify that you're using 10W30 weight earl? Viscosity can be down in one test and up in the next so it could be a factor of temperature control during testing. There is an ASTM standard for testing but it isn't always followed. Hopefully, you still have some of that old oil. I'd test again with Blackstone and see what you've got. I'd be concerned but it surely isn't time to start digging into your engine. Edited June 10 by spindrift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted June 11 Author Report Share Posted June 11 According to the receipt they put in Lucas 15-40 oil. I'll run another test in a couple of months and see if it's a trend. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotorhead Posted June 11 Report Share Posted June 11 I would do another test with a different company soon. Just to compare and verify. Better to catch it early than wait and have more damage done if there is in fact fuel leaking into the oil. Have you smelled the oil? If there is a high concentration of fuel in it it may have a stronger smell of fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanZemke Posted June 11 Report Share Posted June 11 My first oil test also said I had an abnormally high level of fuel in my oil. But in my case, the cause was excessive idling. Diesel fuel evaporates much quicker from hot oil than it does from warm oil. If most of your time is idling (even high idling), fuel will gradually build up in your oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted June 13 Author Report Share Posted June 13 (edited) Fortuitous meeting in the RV park here in Thermopolus, Wy. The guy next to us is a 25 yr Volvo wrench turner for a dealership in Michigan. His take: great possibility that it's an injector....but, run it a couple of thousand miles and do another oil sample. Send it to the lab you (I) used and to another lab for a second opinion. Then wait another 1000 miles and do it again. See if there's a trend. He felt strongly, knowing injectors on D13's are not the longest lasting, that it might be caused by an injector but symptomatic of a lack of use. He said their process it to put a die in the fuel...run the motor...then pull the valve cover and UV the inside and see where the die/leak is. He also suggested to bite the bullet and replace all while in there. Question... are injectors a DIY project? I built drag cars so wrench turning is not a problem. Age and climbing around on that beast might warrant some Advil however. UPDATE: just found a video on how to do the injectors and cups. Special tools alone are $1700. Woowza. That's 10 hrs of shop labor. Now sure what this job books at for labor. Edited June 13 by trimster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted 11 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 11 hours ago Now have around 2k miles since oil change. Here's a photo of the dipstick... What I am concerned about is A: the oil looks thin and less dirty than I expected. And B: it goes way above the full mark in the dipstick. Could this be a sign that I have a leaking injector? If it's really this full, what do I need to do at this point? I'm going to check the oil level in the morning after it has set for the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago Always pull the dip stick then wipe it off and check it again especially if it's been running. If it's that much over full you have a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted 3 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 3 hours ago (edited) 57 minutes ago, jenandjon said: Always pull the dip stick then wipe it off and check it again especially if it's been running. If it's that much over full you have a problem. That's the third pull and wipe. I'll be checking it again in a few minutes. Just woke up. Need a cup of Joe first. If it reads that high again, my plan is to: - locate some tubing and siphon it down. - add some new oil. - billings, mt. is 60 miles away. Run in there and have the oil changed. - then beat-feet the 500 miles back to Salt Lake. I'm concerned about getting repairs/service in Billings. We're a month into our 3 month trip. This sucks big time. Edited 3 hours ago by trimster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago Does the oil smell like fuel? if you check first thing before firing up, no need to wipe the stick. Repeated checking of the oil draws oil up the tube and gives false readings. To prove that, look at both sides of the stick, Is the level exactly the same? Trivia time. It's called a "bayonet gauge". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted 2 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 3 minutes ago, rickeieio said: Does the oil smell like fuel? if you check first thing before firing up, no need to wipe the stick. Repeated checking of the oil draws oil up the tube and gives false readings. To prove that, look at both sides of the stick, Is the level exactly the same? Trivia time. It's called a "bayonet gauge". Just checked the dipstick again. Whew... it's just an inch over the full mark. I do have a problem but it's not as bad as it appeared at first. So, somewhat over 2000 miles since the oil change and it's up an inch on the 'Bayonet gauge' (love the trivia by the way). I have 1200 miles left in our trip. Decisions, decisions. I can get the oil changed in Billings and continue on with the trip (1200 miles remaining) knowing what I am up against. OR...do the oil change in Billings and head directly home...578 miles. Thoughts and suggestions needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usbusin Posted 39 minutes ago Report Share Posted 39 minutes ago Robert, I am so sorry that this is happening in the middle of your vacation. You either have fuel or water getting into the oil. One inch on the dipstick is significant. I would take it to Tri State Truck & Equipment in Billings and have them determine what is causing your problem. Then you can make the decision of having them make the repair or just change the oil and drive home. Either way, you do not want to put too many miles on the engine. Water or fuel in the oil is not a good lubricant. You must determine what is causing the problem and then you can make a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted 35 minutes ago Author Report Share Posted 35 minutes ago 3 minutes ago, usbusin said: Robert, I am so sorry that this is happening in the middle of your vacation. You either have fuel or water getting into the oil. One inch on the dipstick is significant. I would take it to Tri State Truck & Equipment in Billings and have them determine what is causing your problem. Then you can make the decision of having them make the repair or just change the oil and drive home. Either way, you do not want to put too many miles on the engine. Water or fuel in the oil is not a good lubricant. You must determine what is causing the problem and then you can make a decision. Wouldn't water create a gray foam? Discoloration of the oil? I don't see that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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