Got my oil analysis

ZStalker505 · 08-01-2023, 05:35 PM

Not sure what would cause copper to be that abnormal. Oil was in the car a year with <3000 (I think) miles on it since I bought not knowing the miles for the last service. Has an oil cooler which was mentioned in the comments. Some minerals were also high calc, mag, phosph, zinc. Test was done by Blackstone Laboratories.

A little more info on the engine, supercharged flex fuel 1300 injectors water/meth stage 1 block rods pistons retainers springs. I only have time frames when work/service was done.

"Copper is elevated in this sample from your Nismo. Universal averages show typical wear for the
Nissan VQ37VHR with about 5,100 miles on the oil. The other wear metals could stand to be lower than this
after a 3,000-mile oil change, but only copper looks outright excessive. It could be harmless if you've added
an oil cooler, from oxides, but it could also show excess wear at brass/bronze parts like valvetrain bushings.
Fuel dilution was okay at only a trace, and we didn't detect coolant or excess dirt in this sample of Red Line
0W/40. Check back on copper."

COPPER 58 average 7
ALUMINUM 6 " 7
IRON 15 " 7
LEAD 6 " 4
MOLYBDENUM 467 average 152

SG4247 · 08-01-2023, 08:55 PM

The oil cooler is furnace brazed when manufactured. That is very likely the source since that is a welding process that is very high in copper.

The only other copper in a VQ37 I can think of, is the VVEL shaft is bushed with copper bronze bushings.

Then there is a layer of copper on the engine main and rod bearings.

ZStalker505 · 08-01-2023, 10:29 PM

According to invoices from Titan with anything oil cooler or vvel related:

1/3/2014 install stillen supercharger/ oil cooler
11/1/2016 reinstall engine supporting parts build custom intercooler
1/24/2017 repair vvel unit not connected with sensors
7/6/2022 inspect and fix oil cooler lines

Seems like excess copper from the oil cooler would have been diluted through oil changes since install.

08-01-2023, 05:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZStalker505 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: NM Posts: 185 Drives: 14 SC Nismo Rep Power: 2	Got my oil analysis Not sure what would cause copper to be that abnormal. Oil was in the car a year with <3000 (I think) miles on it since I bought not knowing the miles for the last service. Has an oil cooler which was mentioned in the comments. Some minerals were also high calc, mag, phosph, zinc. Test was done by Blackstone Laboratories. A little more info on the engine, supercharged flex fuel 1300 injectors water/meth stage 1 block rods pistons retainers springs. I only have time frames when work/service was done. "Copper is elevated in this sample from your Nismo. Universal averages show typical wear for the Nissan VQ37VHR with about 5,100 miles on the oil. The other wear metals could stand to be lower than this after a 3,000-mile oil change, but only copper looks outright excessive. It could be harmless if you've added an oil cooler, from oxides, but it could also show excess wear at brass/bronze parts like valvetrain bushings. Fuel dilution was okay at only a trace, and we didn't detect coolant or excess dirt in this sample of Red Line 0W/40. Check back on copper." COPPER 58 average 7 ALUMINUM 6 " 7 IRON 15 " 7 LEAD 6 " 4 MOLYBDENUM 467 average 152 KapitalZ likes this. Last edited by ZStalker505; 08-01-2023 at 06:15 PM.

08-01-2023, 08:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
SG4247 Track Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: OKC Posts: 783 Drives: 2010 touring Rep Power: 7842	The oil cooler is furnace brazed when manufactured. That is very likely the source since that is a welding process that is very high in copper. The only other copper in a VQ37 I can think of, is the VVEL shaft is bushed with copper bronze bushings. Then there is a layer of copper on the engine main and rod bearings. ZontheRocks and KapitalZ like this. __________________ NA on E85 - 12.402 @ 112 mph 100 shot E85 - 11.589 @ 117 mph JWT C2 cams rev Base Circle & Titan Valves Last edited by SG4247; 08-01-2023 at 08:58 PM.

08-01-2023, 10:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZStalker505 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: NM Posts: 185 Drives: 14 SC Nismo Rep Power: 2	According to invoices from Titan with anything oil cooler or vvel related: 1/3/2014 install stillen supercharger/ oil cooler 11/1/2016 reinstall engine supporting parts build custom intercooler 1/24/2017 repair vvel unit not connected with sensors 7/6/2022 inspect and fix oil cooler lines Seems like excess copper from the oil cooler would have been diluted through oil changes since install. KapitalZ likes this.

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