Bad News from Blackstone

[muldoon]

2013 Suburban LTZ 74,000 miles
Here's the results from Blackstone Labs: "It looks like this engine may have developed a problem. Aluminum shows excess piston and/or bearing wear and chrome is from rings. Iron shows excess steel wear. Piston scuffing is a possibility, but it could be a bearing issue too. Poor valve train wear could also be responsible for some of the metal. How's the engine running? Any unusual ticking or knocking sounds? Check back in 4-5000 miles."
Aluminum shows 13 ppm, average is 4. Iron shows 104 ppm, average is 18. Chromium shows 3 ppm, average is 1.
Answers are--no unusual sounds. Oil pressure steady at 40 psi (with cold weather starts at 60). Nothing to indicate any mechanical problems.
I'm the second owner (bought at 30,000) and oil has always been changed by local dealer or owner. Have been running Mobil 1 and Mobil filter since end of maintenance plan. Oil always changed by readout and always around 10% remaining.
Is there any way to help extend engine operational life, given this report? What's next? Lottery ticket? Go Fund Me? Marvel Mystery Oil?
Any information or guidance would be most appreciated.

 

[07Burb]

I would doubt your engine is toast at just 74,000 miles if you've been consistent with your maintenance as stated in your post. That would be highly unusual for these vehicles. Maybe the sample was tainted to have a second sample sent in?

Especially if you're not hearing any odd noises coming from the engine or noticing any kind of issues with performance.

 

[OR VietVet]

Like 07 said. Drive it till something in there gets bad enough that it does effect the performance of the engine. As long as your gauges and ears see/her nothing wrong, continue to drive. You now know what "may" be going on in there so be aware of things. Unless you just want a new engine or a new vehicle, "Party on Garth".

 

[kbuskill]

2013 Suburban LTZ 74,000 miles
Here's the results from Blackstone Labs: "It looks like this engine may have developed a problem. Aluminum shows excess piston and/or bearing wear and chrome is from rings. Iron shows excess steel wear. Piston scuffing is a possibility, but it could be a bearing issue too. Poor valve train wear could also be responsible for some of the metal. How's the engine running? Any unusual ticking or knocking sounds? Check back in 4-5000 miles."
Aluminum shows 13 ppm, average is 4. Iron shows 104 ppm, average is 18. Chromium shows 3 ppm, average is 1.
Answers are--no unusual sounds. Oil pressure steady at 40 psi (with cold weather starts at 60). Nothing to indicate any mechanical problems.
I'm the second owner (bought at 30,000) and oil has always been changed by local dealer or owner. Have been running Mobil 1 and Mobil filter since end of maintenance plan. Oil always changed by readout and always around 10% remaining.
Is there any way to help extend engine operational life, given this report? What's next? Lottery ticket? Go Fund Me? Marvel Mystery Oil?
Any information or guidance would be most appreciated.

I didn't see it anywhere in your post...

How many miles were on that oil sample?

Was this your first UOA for this vehicle?

 

[iamdub]

I didn't see it anywhere in your post...

How many miles were on that oil sample?

Probably a lot since he goes by the OLM. :facepalm:

 

[Doubeleive]

my 2012 sounded fine at 82k, had plenty of power, idled perfectly. then......the oil pressure started to go up and down up and down up and down, long story short chunk of metal was stuck in the oil pump, luckily I had a 3rd party warranty and ended up with a new motor, just the luck of the draw I guess. It kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth when something like that happens but I have owned several similar GM vehicles and this was the only one that ever had that kind of problem. The positive part is now that it has the new motor and has had both differentials rebuilt it's like a new truck again

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Aside from Wes's scare tactics , I agree with the above.
How many miles on the sample?
Maybe tainted.
I'd do a short (3000ish) OCI, and retest. I had one test out of whack, too. My following 2 samples went back in line with the good numbers I was used to seeing.

 

[swathdiver]

2013 Suburban LTZ 74,000 miles
Here's the results from Blackstone Labs: "It looks like this engine may have developed a problem. Aluminum shows excess piston and/or bearing wear and chrome is from rings. Iron shows excess steel wear. Piston scuffing is a possibility, but it could be a bearing issue too. Poor valve train wear could also be responsible for some of the metal. How's the engine running? Any unusual ticking or knocking sounds? Check back in 4-5000 miles."
Aluminum shows 13 ppm, average is 4. Iron shows 104 ppm, average is 18. Chromium shows 3 ppm, average is 1.
Answers are--no unusual sounds. Oil pressure steady at 40 psi (with cold weather starts at 60). Nothing to indicate any mechanical problems.
I'm the second owner (bought at 30,000) and oil has always been changed by local dealer or owner. Have been running Mobil 1 and Mobil filter since end of maintenance plan. Oil always changed by readout and always around 10% remaining.
Is there any way to help extend engine operational life, given this report? What's next? Lottery ticket? Go Fund Me? Marvel Mystery Oil?
Any information or guidance would be most appreciated.

If this were my engine, I would switch to an oil with higher viscosity numbers like Shell's Rotella Gas Truck and change the oil on the DIC when the OLM is about 33%.

M1 EP filter lowers my oil pressure and flows 50% less than what I switched to:

Get a mechanic's stethoscope and have a listen around the engine during a cold start. My motor was a little loud on start up with M1, it's quiet as a mouse now.

Here is my Blackstone Labs reports for M1 oil. I'll send off a sample of my second fill of ACD in a month or so:

Hope this helps and no drag racing until further notice!

 

[Doubeleive]

Aside from Wes's scare tactics , I agree with the above.
How many miles on the sample?
Maybe tainted.
I'd do a short (3000ish) OCI, and retest. I had one test out of whack, too. My following 2 samples went back in line with the good numbers I was used to seeing.

trust me I had high hopes it was going to be the pickup tube o-ring or a bad pressure sensor or clogged screen, but no such luck.
but I would for sure send in a another sample to verify

 

[thompsoj22]

Absolutely sample again, I am a helo mech and pull samples on 3 gear boxes every 50 hrs. More often than not if the sample comes back out of limits it was a mistake in the sampling procedure. i allways pull another sample to confirm the results. Than drain and flush and sample every 10 hrs to identify if the problem elevates or declines prior to replacing a component. you are looking at "PPM", dont panic yet, a more conclusive visual check would be to cut the filter open and inspect the media. either way i would change the oil within a couple hundred miles, 5 qts M1 5/30 and delco filter are $27. cut the filter open that you remove and inspect. if the filter is full of flakes bronze/alum or worse metal "use a magnet to determine" than you will know if your worries are justified. if the filter media is clean than take a cross country road trip and forget about it. just a note, mine is 08 denali 6.2 with approx 139,000. i use M1 5/30 and delco filter every 3 to 4 thousand miles. aluminum blocks imo require reduced oil change intervals.

 

[Rocket Man]

Agree to test again with a specified mileage OCI, probably 2 or 3k just to see if there’s anything concerning at that point and go from there.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I've never done an oil analysis on any vehicle I've owned. I guess I'm missing out on a whole lot of worrying.... Lol

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[swathdiver]

I've never done an oil analysis on any vehicle I've owned. I guess I'm missing out on a whole lot of worrying.... Lol

You can even send in samples of your transmission fluid too for a whole lot more anxiety and gray hair growing!

 

[07Burb]

LOL does make me curious what they'd find in my oil of my 221k mile engine. I change my oil every 3,000 miles religiously and completely ignore the DIC %. I'm sure that mileage, though, I've gotta have some wear and tear even with good oil pressure and no odd sounds or performance issues LOL

 

[muldoon]

First of all, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond and share their knowledge. Here are some answers to various questions and additional information.
The mileage at the time of the oil change which was submitted to Blackstone was 4,477.
This is in keeping with the average distance between changes. My initial post was inaccurate about using the DIC readout. Only one time was the readout less than approximately 25%. The truck was purchased "Certified" and that gave me "free" (meaning the new owner has actually paid for them in advance as part of the purchase price) oil and filter changes for two years. At first, the dealer was reluctant to change at less than 20%, but finally settled at 25%. My records show the average oil and filter change took place at 4,200 miles. I use the readout only as a reminder and have kept up the change at 25%--which turns out as 4,200 miles--procedure.
A previous oil sample was sent to Blackstone when I initially bought the truck. The analysis from 8/14/2015 showed Aluminum, 4 ppm, Chromium 1 and Iron 27. The summary read "Your engine looks great from our end."
Going forward, I bought some Delco filters and today I will drain enough oil for sample purposes, change the filter and cut the old one open for inspection. Right now, the truck has close to 1,000 miles since the latest full oil change. I am planning do a complete change with Shell Rotella
5W-30 and Delco filter in another 2,000 miles, both times submitting samples to Blackstone. No matter how it turns out, with engine in current state or having been rebuilt, all future changes will be made at approximately 3,500 to 4,000 miles (DIC reading closer to 33%) from now on.
Thanks again, and I'll post the results of both oil reports.

 

[Rocket Man]

You can even send in samples of your transmission fluid too for a whole lot more anxiety and gray hair growing!

Don’t forget differential fluid, TC fluid...

 

[kbuskill]

First of all, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond and share their knowledge. Here are some answers to various questions and additional information.
The mileage at the time of the oil change which was submitted to Blackstone was 4,477.
This is in keeping with the average distance between changes. My initial post was inaccurate about using the DIC readout. Only one time was the readout less than approximately 25%. The truck was purchased "Certified" and that gave me "free" (meaning the new owner has actually paid for them in advance as part of the purchase price) oil and filter changes for two years. At first, the dealer was reluctant to change at less than 20%, but finally settled at 25%. My records show the average oil and filter change took place at 4,200 miles. I use the readout only as a reminder and have kept up the change at 25%--which turns out as 4,200 miles--procedure.
A previous oil sample was sent to Blackstone when I initially bought the truck. The analysis from 8/14/2015 showed Aluminum, 4 ppm, Chromium 1 and Iron 27. The summary read "Your engine looks great from our end."
Going forward, I bought some Delco filters and today I will drain enough oil for sample purposes, change the filter and cut the old one open for inspection. Right now, the truck has close to 1,000 miles since the latest full oil change. I am planning do a complete change with Shell Rotella
5W-30 and Delco filter in another 2,000 miles, both times submitting samples to Blackstone. No matter how it turns out, with engine in current state or having been rebuilt, all future changes will be made at approximately 3,500 to 4,000 miles (DIC reading closer to 33%) from now on.
Thanks again, and I'll post the results of both oil reports.

May I suggest posting an actual picture of your Blackstone report. It makes it easier to see what's really going on when you can look at it on a spreadsheet of sorts.

 

[iamdub]

LOL does make me curious what they'd find in my oil of my 221k mile engine. I change my oil every 3,000 miles religiously and completely ignore the DIC %. I'm sure that mileage, though, I've gotta have some wear and tear even with good oil pressure and no odd sounds or performance issues LOL

Surely there's more wear at that mileage, but it wouldn't mean your oil would have lots of various metals in it. High mileage wear is the surface metal being worn away in very tiny amounts over a long period of time. A high-mileage, but well-maintained engine's wear (in this aspect) is more like just looser bearing tolerances that, at worst, can result in slightly lower oil pressure at idle. I'd bet that if you compared your UOA to that of an identical engine but with 1/4 of the mileage that's been equally maintained and running the same oil, your UOAs would look very similar. Keep up the maintenance and care and about the only failure from high mileage you may ever experience is something breaking from fatigued metal. That could be 100,000 miles or more from now.

 

[rjr]

Personally, I would not hold off changing oil, even Mobil 1, until the 10% level. While synthetic oil holds up well, it still collects condensation, fuel residue, and acids. I change every 4-5000 miles; oil is cheaper than an engine. Only exception is if we're driving coast-to-coast, so there is a minimum of stop-&-start, idling in traffic, etc.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Do you happen to have a quick drain valve that replaces the drain plug? Some of those are chromed

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18