High Copper Count on Oil Analysis

[blundgren77]

When I put my Boxster away for the winter I did an oil change and sent a sample off to Blackstone. Got the results today. Everything looks AWESOME. 0W40 had lots of life left, all the values were in spec, and they detected no fuel dilution or antifreeze at all. They noticed a higher than universal average of copper though. The comments in the report said nothing to be "alarmed" about, but they would look at it again on the next sample next year. The universal average according to them is 5ppm. I had 11ppm.

The comment blackstone made was copper in the oil would be from copper and/or bronze parts in the engine wearing. (duh!) Every disassembly picture I've ever seen of Boxster engine pretty much has large chunks of steel and Aluminum. So any idea where the copper could be coming from?

I'll be anxious to see what it looks like next year, and I'm not overly alarmed about it. More curious than anything.

[Falcon900EX]

My guess is rings. Anyone know?? E

[RFM]

Bushing, crankshaft axial bearings, ... ?

[00BoxsterS]

Bushing, crankshaft axial bearings, ... ?

Most likely from valve guides as they are made of bronze. Bronze is a copper alloy.

[White987S]

blundgren77, how many miles on that oil change? Maybe you need to shorten your interval.

[Jake Raby]

The only copper within the engine is found in the main bearings and rod bearings... What was the PPM count of copper in your test results?

generally the valve guides show up as manganese more than copper as they are manganese bronze. Valve guides in these engines seldom wear enough to show up in UOA.

[00BoxsterS]

The only copper within the engine is found in the main bearings and rod bearings... What was the PPM count of copper in your test results?

generally the valve guides show up as manganese more than copper as they are manganese bronze. Valve guides in these engines seldom wear enough to show up in UOA.

Thanks Jake, that is very interesting. I did not know that about the manganese.