Element Analysis Information |
Element |
Possible Sources |
Iron |
Indicates wear originating from rings, shafts, gears, valve train, cylinder walls, and pistons in some engines. |
Chromium |
Primary sources are chromed parts such as rings, liners, etc. and some coolant additives. |
Nickel |
Secondary indicator of wear from certain types of bearings, shafts, valves and valve guides. |
Aluminum |
Indicates wear of pistons, rod bearings and certain types of bushings. |
Lead |
In diesel engines, from overlay of most rod & main bearings. In gas engines, mostly from tetraethyl lead contamination. |
Copper |
Wear from bearings, rocker arm bushings, wrist pin bushings, thrust washers, other bronze and brass parts. |
Tin |
Indicated wear from bearings when babbit overlays are used. Also an indicator of piston wear. |
Silver |
Wear of bearings which contain silver. Also a secondary indicator of oil cooler problems. |
Titanium |
Alloy in high quality steel for gears and bearings. |
Silicone (Dirt) |
Airborne dust & dirt contamination usually suggesting air filter service needed. Excessive contaminates can greatly accelerate component wear. |
Boron |
Coolant additive, used as a oil additive. |
Sodium |
Coolant additive, used as a oil additive. |
Potassium |
Coolant additive. |
Molybdenum |
Indicates ring wear. Used as a additive in some oils. |
Phosphorus |
Antirust agent, spark plug & combustion chamber deposit reducer. |
Zinc |
Antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, anti-wear additive, detergent, extreme pressure additive. |
Calcium |
Detergents, dispersants, acid neutralizer. |
Barium |
Corrosion inhibitor, detergents, rust inhibitor. |
Magnesium |
Dispersant, detergent additive, alloying metal. |
Antimony |
Bearing overlay alloy or oil additive. |
Vanadium |
Heavy fuel contaminant. |
Viscosity |
Measures a lubricants resistance to flow. |
Glycol |
Positive test results indicate a problem associated with cooling system internal leaks |
Fuel Dilution % Vol. |
Indicates the amount of unburned fuel in the engine lubricant. |