08 E92 Oil Analysis Question

Hein Jockins · 01-16-2022, 06:13 PM

Quick Question regarding my Blackstone Oil analysis:

Just bought an 08 6MT M3 ~106k miles and sent the oil off to get tested. Apparently I didn't send enough, and I'm not sure how reliable "spectral results" are however it's all I have as of now.

Lead obviously tested very high. The 08 bearings are made out of copper, but from searching other posts, I've read there is a lead layer that wears before the copper. Just wanted to confirm this is correct, and that is the most probable cause of the high lead content.

I'm replacing bearings regardless but wanted to be sure the most probable source of the lead. I also got a filter tested which had very large aluminum flakes. Is this most likely from pistons?

Any help is appreciated.

GORDON.M3 · 01-16-2022, 07:15 PM

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Hein Jockins · 01-16-2022, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

BimmerNugget · 01-16-2022, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hein Jockins

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

Show some pictures of the old rod bearings when you get em out.

Hein Jockins · 01-16-2022, 08:38 PM

I'll post em.

Helmsman · 01-17-2022, 01:21 AM

Wonder what the alu flakes are?

Post here once done: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

its55 · 01-17-2022, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Wonder what the alu flakes are?

Post here once done: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

Read somewhere that its normal to see some aluminum since the block is aluminum however I have no idea if that's accurate.

Helmsman · 01-17-2022, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by its55

Read somewhere that its normal to see some aluminum since the block is aluminum however I have no idea if that's accurate.

The only "flakes" I've heard of is from the inside of the valve covers. Believe this is fairly common though. As long as they are caught by the filter it doesn't have to be an issue (which was the case right?).
Take a look down the oil fill, if its the covers that are loosing pain inside you'll see it.

Edit: one of many examples: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=935340

Hein Jockins · 01-17-2022, 07:24 AM

Interesting. Didn't think of that. The most prevalent material in the filter was a non metallic paint or paint sealer. Could definitely be valve covers then.

Davisca455 · 01-17-2022, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

I think GORDON.M3 described it well, and here's a picture that illustrates the different layers.

(This was one of the better looking rod side bearings out of my '08)

Hein Jockins · 01-17-2022, 07:29 PM

Thank you! I knew they were copper bearings in pre lci, but this clears up where the lead is from. Thanks for the help. Pumped to actually drive this machine how it should be here soon.

MMM3PWR · 01-18-2022, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hein Jockins

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hein Jockins

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

please share your results

clubsport.m3 · 01-18-2022, 11:25 AM

Are we sure that aluminum flakes don't come from the main bearings?

NoHedge · 01-18-2022, 10:05 PM

Any idea how many miles on the oil sample?

Hein Jockins · 01-18-2022, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHedge

Any idea how many miles on the oil sample?

The oil was allegedly changed at 105,060 per carfax, and I changed it about 600 miles later. Not sure if this is accurate cause the oil was pretty dark.

GORDON.M3 · 01-19-2022, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubsport.m3

Are we sure that aluminum flakes don't come from the main bearings?

If I'm not mistaken the main bearings are the same material as the rod bearings.
Lead/copper also in the 08.

01-16-2022, 06:13 PM	#1
Hein Jockins Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2017 340, 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	08 E92 Oil Analysis Question - Source of Lead Quick Question regarding my Blackstone Oil analysis: Just bought an 08 6MT M3 ~106k miles and sent the oil off to get tested. Apparently I didn't send enough, and I'm not sure how reliable "spectral results" are however it's all I have as of now. Lead obviously tested very high. The 08 bearings are made out of copper, but from searching other posts, I've read there is a lead layer that wears before the copper. Just wanted to confirm this is correct, and that is the most probable cause of the high lead content. I'm replacing bearings regardless but wanted to be sure the most probable source of the lead. I also got a filter tested which had very large aluminum flakes. Is this most likely from pistons? Any help is appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by Hein Jockins; 01-16-2022 at 07:22 PM..
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01-16-2022, 07:15 PM	#2
GORDON.M3 Colonel 1416 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: E92 M3 • F25 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LAX/YYZ/NRT iTrader: (11)	High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings. The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good. __________________ INSTAGRAM: GORDON.M3 North American Mr12Volt Carplay/Android Auto Distributor DINAN \| EVOSPORT \| VAC \| ARP \| RD SPORT \| NEEZ \| EIBACH \| CSF \| IND \| BILSTEIN \| KLASSEN \| BREMBO \| ENDLESS \| BBS \| BPM SPORT \| PROJECT MU \| EVENTURI
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01-16-2022, 08:38 PM	#5
Hein Jockins Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2017 340, 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	I'll post em.
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01-17-2022, 01:21 AM	#6
Helmsman Major General 4436 Rep 7,091 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Wonder what the alu flakes are? Post here once done: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084
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01-17-2022, 07:24 AM	#9
Hein Jockins Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2017 340, 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Didn't think of that. The most prevalent material in the filter was a non metallic paint or paint sealer. Could definitely be valve covers then.
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01-17-2022, 07:29 PM	#11
Hein Jockins Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2017 340, 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	Thank you! I knew they were copper bearings in pre lci, but this clears up where the lead is from. Thanks for the help. Pumped to actually drive this machine how it should be here soon.
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01-18-2022, 11:25 AM	#13
clubsport.m3 New Member 75 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Are we sure that aluminum flakes don't come from the main bearings?
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01-18-2022, 10:05 PM	#14
NoHedge Private First Class 68 Rep 192 Posts Drives: E92 M3 \| 991.1 C2S Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Any idea how many miles on the oil sample?
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