Aluminum in Engine Oil ???

[warren]

Help!

Just had Blackstone Lab do oil report. My level of Aluminum in in the engine
oil in my 2003 MM from...
80k miles 3ppm (parts per million), 85K 5ppm, 95K 25ppm, 101K 49ppm
to 107K 73ppm.
The lab says all other elements are in line just the aluminum is way off,
ie. universal average is 2-3 ppm. He has no ideas of cause. Yet this is a
red flag of a super problem. Ring and cylinder ( chrome and iron )
are OK or bearings.
Called Ford dealership and their service writer did not know.

Do any of you have any thoughts as to what might be the cause ?
I am worried.

Thanks,

Warren

[hotford]

I seen this before it's more likely the cam guides have worn out the plastic lining away and now are wearing into the aluminum body of which the plastic was moulded onto,easy to find out just remove one of the valve covers and you will be able to see the chain wearing into the aluminum.

If this is the case your gonna need to remove the engine and overhaul it as the filing will have gone through out the motor.

Our Crown vic in our fleet are showing some sign of this as they are high mileage vehicles.

[babbage]

I seen this before it's more likely the cam guides have worn out the plastic lining away and now are wearing into the aluminum body of which the plastic was moulded onto,easy to find out just remove one of the valve covers and you will be able to see the chain wearing into the aluminum.

If this is the case your gonna need to remove the engine and overhaul it as the filing will have gone through out the motor.

Our Crown vic in our fleet are showing some sign of this as they are high mileage vehicles.

If that's true that it's the timing chains are eating into the aluminum tensioner arms, just pull the front engine cover off and replace the arms and tensioners. Makes me want to test my oil now. How much is a UOA from Blackstone?

[Drewstang]

Honestly, it could mean there is wear in about 5 million possible places. Taking covers and parts off will be time comsuming and costly if you don't do it yourself. Your best bet would be to start saving for a new engine or a rebuild, one or both is in your near future.

[burt ragio]

I wonder what we would find if an oil test were done on just five motors of similar mileage ? This would give all of us an indication of the longevity of the 4.6L 32 valve motor.

[RF Overlord]

How much is a UOA from Blackstone?The standard test is $22.50 and checks for wear metals along with contaminants such as fuel dilution, insolubles, and coolant. If you want a TAN or TBN, it's another $10.

[Black_Out]

Pretty cool that they can analyze your oil!

[RacerX]

Our OEM bearings are aluminum. Found that out the hard way.

[ImpalaSlayer]

isnt the tensioner backing steel anyway? id have to look at the ones i have sitting around to be sure