High iron and copper level in oil, next course of action

[Ahsai]

My used oil (5k miles) has ~25 ppm copper and ~18 ppm iron. Jake's expert opinion is that the rod bearings have been compromised.The car has 50k miles with oil change every 5k miles. Very well maintained and driven. Currently no symptoms and no oil leak. Engine feels smooth and strong.Now obviously I'm not going to tear the engine apart at this point. My current plan is to try the following to slow down the wear, if possible.1) JG break in oil + DT402) LN full flow oil filter adaptor3) Filtermag4) Oil change every 3kI'm considering doing the above in stages so I can tell the difference of each change. However, Even though my car is a DD, I only put about 5k miles on it so the next oil change will be a year from now. That will take a few years to try all of the above.Any other things you can think of that I should try?

Edited February 4, 2013 by Ahsai

[venturawildes]

run the chemistry on unused oil and set a benchmark.

[Ahsai]

run the chemistry on unused oil and set a benchmark.

Yea, I may consider that on the DT40. I already have one done on my current oil (Motul x-cess 5w-40).

[fpb111]

I wouldn't panic with only 1 high reading. I had a reading over 100ppm copper and high iron. The next reading after 3k miles was 6ppm, as have been subsequent readings.

[Ahsai]

I wouldn't panic with only 1 high reading. I had a reading over 100ppm copper and high iron. The next reading after 3k miles was 6ppm, as have been subsequent readings.

First I'm not panicking :) Actually I have two reports saying the same, each covering 5k miles and one year on the oil. I've been using the same oil and 5k oil change routine for the past 5 years but only started UOA 1 yr ago. So I would say they are consistent and they eflect a two-year period.

Current plan is to get another report in 3k and re-evaluate if anything needs to be done. Thanks for your reply.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Ahsai

[White987S]

Jake's pretty smart. Proceed with caution.

[jbarhydt]

I suppose some rod bearing wear is considered normal, but i'd have to ask why you're seeing those numbers on an engine with such low usage. It would be cheaper to deal with the problem now rather than waiting until a catastrophic failure. I have to agree with White987S regarding Jakes smarts - he'll build you a nice motor if your hunch is wrong, but forewarned is forearmed... I don't see how the items you've listed address the possible causes of the bearing wear - it seems like you'd be masking the problem instead. In my experience there seems to be a point where the wear starts accelerating quickly and maybe you hear the knocking rod before the "big one" or maybe you don't.... Just my 2 cents...

[Ahsai]

I suppose some rod bearing wear is considered normal, but i'd have to ask why you're seeing those numbers on an engine with such low usage. It would be cheaper to deal with the problem now rather than waiting until a catastrophic failure. I have to agree with White987S regarding Jakes smarts - he'll build you a nice motor if your hunch is wrong, but forewarned is forearmed... I don't see how the items you've listed address the possible causes of the bearing wear - it seems like you'd be masking the problem instead. In my experience there seems to be a point where the wear starts accelerating quickly and maybe you hear the knocking rod before the "big one" or maybe you don't.... Just my 2 cents...

The item I listed MAY slow down the wear, not stopping it or reversing any damages already there. I see no logic to rebuild my engine now. My engine is strong and smooth and has no symptoms. Even Jake himself did not even hint I should rebuild it now.

[White987S]

The item I listed MAY slow down the wear, not stopping it or reversing any damages already there. I see no logic to rebuild my engine now. My engine is strong and smooth and has no symptoms. Even Jake himself did not even hint I should rebuild it now.

This is new information. Good to know.