[TR] Promise of oil analysis to the list

[Bob]

On Tuesday 13 April 2010 06:37:10 pm thenicholls at verizon.net wrote:
> I had promised the list last Fall that I would provide the statistics from
>  an oil analysis done on oil removed this spring from my 1972 Triumph TR6.
> 
> The Oil Report was done by BlackStone Laboratories.B  I was a little
> disappointed in that they had not done enough from this type of engine to
> provide Universal Averages to compare to.
> 
> So, instead of the whole report, here is the summary.  I use Castrol GTX
> 20W-50 and have been adding a bottle of ZDDPlus at each oil change once per
> year.
> 
> The important results (in PPM):
> Phosphorus 2012
> Zinc 2678
> And for their comments below:  Copper 61
>                                                    Lead 57
>                                                    Fuel % 2.5 (Should be
>  less than 2.0)
> 
> This is more than adequate to protect our flat tappet engines.
> 
> I would also like to share their comments:
> "We found high copper and lead in this first sample from you Triumph inline
>  6. These metals probably indicate bearling wear.  However, while we've
>  seen other Triumph samples, this is our first from an I-6 so we don't have
>  good averages established for this engine yet.  But we do suspect these
>  are abnormal metals, and if silicon is from abrasive dirt, it may be the
>  reason for all the wear. Check the air filtration system.  Fuel was also
>  hight at 2.5%, causing the viscosity to drop to the 40W range.  Check back
>  in another 1,000 miles to establish trends and monitor wear."
> 
> Needless to say, I will not be performing this $22.50 analysis each year! 
>  I run K&N air filters that are cleaned and re-oiled each spring.  I am not
>  suprised that ther is bearing wear, and I am sure many of you are not
>  surprised either.  The fuel in the oil is a concern to me, but it was not
>  much over the "should be" value.
> 
> Anyway, thanks to the list for all the great information each and everyone
> provides, and if anyone is interested in seeing the entire report, I can
>  email it to you.
> 
> Have a great summer!
> 
> Craig H. Nicholls
> 1972 Triumph TR6
> 
Craig,

Thanks for the post.

When I drained the oil from the sump of my 72 project there were over 8 quarts 
of oil/fuel. The PO said that gas was getting into the oil somehow but didn't 
know how. I could smell the gas in that oil!

I had no idea either and after taking the engine apart and having everything 
checked out for wear at my machine shop, I determined that it was not the 
engine proper. There was no wear at all anywhere, even the end float was within 
spec! So I am guessing it was the smog system connections between the carbs 
and the valve cover and the carbon canister.

The funny thing though is the engine ran pretty good!

At that time I decided to scrap the ZS carbs for a set of Hitachi 1.75 (SU) 
offered by Paltech.

The crankcase breathing will be routed to the air filter box / carbon canister 
and not  the carbs directly. The box I am using is a TR 250 box with the 
breather connection on the box.

I am not sure what the problem is but since I am an SU guy (3 and 4) I decided 
to go with a carb that I understand. Really to old to learn something new!

Bob