Oil Analysis Reports

Blackstone Laboratories OA Reports From My Truck (By Mileage)
2,585	7,481	14,557	22,140	29,853
37,864	45,168	48,596
Virgin (unused) Valvoline Premium Blue 15w-40 Oil Analysis with TBN

History

Date	Milage	Comments
06 Sep 2011	46,168	Oil change #7 performed. My oil analysis showed high levels of aluminum and potassium in the oil. I think I might have slightly lifted the head a little on my last big tow. I guess it's time to put in some studs and a new gasket and have the head decked. Keep a look out for a new article here in the next few months. Oil analysis is posted above.
12 Jul 2011	41,182	Changed the transmission and transfer case fluids. Replaced with Castrol ATF+4. Transmission held 6 quarts and I overfilled to 7 quarts, transfer case held 3 quarts. Old fluid was dark colored, but not black and didn't smell burnt. While I was working on the truck, I put a new air filter on as well.
09 May 2011	37,684	6th oil change performed. Blackstone was even able to detect where I had my EGR re-installed for 4 days while I got some warranty work accomplished on 29 December 2010. I'm highly impressed with their quality.
27 Mar 2011	35,243	Installed a B&W turnover ball goose neck trailer hitch in the truck. Rated for 30,000 lbs trailer weight. I love this hitch.
20 Feb 2011	32,783	Received the electrical connectors to plug all the wiring from the DPF delete. Installed immediately.
12 Feb 2011	32,612	Installed the MyGig REN non-navigation radio and the Coastal Tech Mygig Lockpick adapter. I got this unit for free from a local Dodge dealer because it was a take-out model from somebody upgrading to the navigation radio. I purchased the lockpick off of eBay. Overall I am extremely disappointed in this unit. The sound quality is bad and has a lot of distortion and artifacts in it. The graphical interface is extremely blocky and doesn't flow very well. I plan on replacing this unit with an aftermarket one. If you plan on doing this mod, I highly suggest skipping the MyGig and going with an aftermarket unit from the start. The price is about the same and the aftermarket will out perform this thing in every way.
30 Jan 2011	32,587	Installed my "stealth" DPF delete system. I acquired a full OEM exhaust system and bored a 4 1/2 inch hole through the DPF and NOX filter and completely punched out the CAT in the downpipe. While it was off, I sanded the entire thing and painted it with black VHT Flameproof ceramic based paint. The entire system was reinstalled, including the muffler. There is absolutely NO sound change. It's still as quiet as stock, I'm actually a little disappointed. I'll see about modifying it later. My stock system is still intact and is currently collecting dust in the shed.
25 Jan 2011	32,409	Installed a set of 24 inch Bosh Icon wiper blades. These things are expensive but are worth every penny. Part Number 424A.
12 Jan 2011	32,067	Installed my SDD3250-GK dual disk South Bend clutch with the SSS .750 hydraulics upgrade. Complete install article is posted on the "Articles" tab. I noticed mild clutch chatter and mildly heavier clutch pedal feel. Overall I'm extremely happy with this clutch.
29 Dec 2010	31,841	Put all my EGR crap back on to have the J35 recall performed. I also had the dealership replace the driver's side and center seat brackets due to surface rust and got two new batteries because mine were leaking. The dealership neglected to clean all the corrosion off of the battery terminals when they put the new batteries on, so I had to clean everything when I got home.
24 Dec 2010	31,726	I received an early Christmas gift today from my wife. 1 each S67 Smarty tuner for the truck! Ain't she the greatest. Anyway, I decided to load up SW4 on the 23S version since I don't have a delete pipe on it yet. We took it for a spin and I found out on my first 6th gear pull that the stock clutch just wasn't going to hold it. I guess I'll be putting in the new South Bend 3250 next week.
11 Nov 2010	29,853	5th oil change performed and got the tires rotated. The report is posted above. Everything is still looking good.
11 Jul 2010	24,697	I performed the heater core bypass mod to the truck. This made an impressive difference in the vent output temperature. Details are in the A/C Performance Upgrade article.
19 Jun 2010	24,077	I was hauling our dirt bikes back from a day of riding and neglected to tie up the loose end of one of the ratchet straps. While I was driving down the highway, that loose end somehow made it's way down between the cab and the bed and wrapped around the driveshaft. It ripped the strap (2,000 lb rating) in half right at the ratchet. This caused a nice crease in the front wall of my bed and I almost lost one of the bikes. I'm just glad it didn't rip above the ratchet because that would have sent the entire assembly through my back window. The bad news is the damage to my bed, the good news is apparently truck's driveshaft is pretty strong. I straightened the dent out to the best of my ability without removing the bed. It's not so bad now.
23 May 2010	22,140	4th oil change performed. Oil analysis is posted above. So far everything looks good.
01 Jan 2010	14,557	Performed the 3rd oil change on my truck and rotated the tires. Oil analysis posted above.
12 Oct 2009	10632	Installed the automatic exhaust brake switch relay. I no longer have to manually turn on the exhaust brake when I start the truck, it does it by itself.
26 Sep 2009	10200	I got Line-X sprayed in my truck today. I was allowed to document the entire process for my web page. This thing looks amazing. I am thoroughly satisfied with the Line-X and with the work that Tri-County Line-X did. Highly recommended.
19 Sep 2009	9955	Finally received my insurance claim check and got it deposited in my bank account. I didn't want to touch the truck until I got paid for the damage. So I spent about two hours today knocking out the dent. It actually turned out pretty well. You really have to look hard to see any remains of the dent. It's nothing that a good Line-X won't cover.
26 Aug 2009	9080	Dropped off a crate containing cylinder heads from my old 6.0L Powerstroke at a freight terminal for shipment. While attempting to unload the crate, the forklift driver managed to collide with my tailgate while it was down. Thus leaving a huge dent on the top edge. I filed a claim with their insurance company to cover the damage. I plan to knock out the dent myself and use the check to get Line-X sprayed in the truck.
15 Jul 2009	7610	Removed the EGR system after my trip to the dealership. While I was under the hood I removed the baffle from the intake system. I also grounded the wire required to enable the high idle with a 6-speed transmission.
11 Jul 2009	7481	Immediately upon returning from the dealership,  I decided to perform the second oil change on my truck. I used the same oil and filter as last time, only this time I installed the Fumoto drain valve on the truck. This thing makes oil changes and samples super easy and clean. Highly recommended. I also performed another oil analysis.
11 Jul 2009	7466	I decided that my air conditioner in the truck absolutely sucks. So I re-installed my EGR system and took the truck back to the dealership to have them check out the air conditioner. Came to find out that everything is within specifications and working as it should. This is not acceptable to me so now I have a mission to improve the A/C in my truck. I'll write something up when I get more details and find something that works. While I was at the dealership, I had them enable my fog lights with high beams and the PTO high idle. Ended up costing me $31.90 to have them enable the options in the computer.
23 May 2009	3243	Received the new TTT mirrors in the mail. Immediately installed on my truck. I can not even begin to describe the improvement these things make over the factory crap mirrors. Cost me a grand total of $14.73 (shipping) and a couple hours of my life.
19 May 2009	3243	Organized a trade with a friend for my factory flip-style mirrors for his TTT mirrors. Not really sure why he wanted to get rid of the mirrors but I'm all in. I removed my mirrors from my truck and mailed them up to him. He did the same.
25 Apr 2009	2585	First oil change on the new truck. Replaced filter with Fleetguard #LF3972 ($9.50)  and oil with Valvoline Premium Blue 15w-40 ($12.99/gallon) purchased from Cummins. Had oil analysis performed by Blackstone Laboratories and found excessive wear metals and 6.5% fuel dilution. This is directly contributed to the new engine break in period and is the sole reason for doing the first oil change early.
18 Apr 2009	2401	Removed the EGR servo valve and the cross-over tube. Installed block off plates purchased from eBay for $69.00.
05 Apr 2009	1903	Disabled the seatbelt dinger using a paperclip.
05 Apr 2009	1903	Removed all the badges from my truck. Includes: "Hendrick Dodge" "Big Horn" "BlueTec" "4X4" Ram" & "2500 Heavy Duty." Total expense was $39.69 for the eraser wheel and 2.99 for the bottle of "Goo Gone."
12 Feb 2009	534	Traded in my 2003 Ford F-350 6.0L for a new 2008 Dodge Ram 2500, 6.7L 6-speed. I got the truck for 32k plus they gave me 10k trade on my old POS. Just for reference, the truck was on its 4th engine in 122k miles.

 

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