NEW Where does all that Metal come From?

Lithium– chemical symbol LiLithium is only found as a contaminant. Themetal is a very common additive used as asoap (thickening agent) in many greases. If itshows up in an oil sample it is a sure indicationof grease contamination.Sodium– chemical symbol NaThroughout this technical bulletin there havebeen many references to internal coolantleaks and the elements associated with them.To recap, water in the cooling system can leakinto the lubricating system and contaminatethe oil. Often, at operating pressures andtemperatures, this water evaporates off.Most cooling systems should be treated withglycol and a coolant conditioner which willcontain a variety of chemicals enabling thecoolant to do its job and protect the coolingsystem from damage. It is these chemicalsthat get left behind in the oil and indicatethat water has been present but is no longerevident. The most common chemicals containsodium so this is the first indication of aninternal coolant leak.Other chemicals found in coolant conditionerscontain elements such as molybdenum,phosphorus, chromium, boron and silicon.Elements that make up the physical structureof the cooling system and can leach into theoil (from either the water or the oil side of thecooler) include copper, tin, lead and silver.Sodium can also be found as an additive insome engine oils (often replacing calcium ormagnesium) but this is a lot rarer than it usedto be. Some greases contain sodium as partof the soap and sodium will be evident if the oilis contaminated with sea water.The last seven elements make up the bulk ofthe oil additive packages.Magnesium– chemical symbol MgMagnesium is used in the formulation ofdetergents and corrosion inhibitors. Themetal can be used in coatings, housings andcasings and some engine blocks may containmagnesium, making it a wearing element. It isalso a component of sea water so may showup as a contaminant.Calcium– chemical symbol CaCalcium is often found in conjunction withGeneral element and contamination sourcesIRON (Fe)CHROMIUM (Cr)NICKEL (Ni)MOLYBDENUM (Mo)VANADIUM (V)MANGANESE (Mn)TITANIUM (Ti)ALUMINIUM (Al)COPPER (Cu)TIN (Sn)LEAD (Pb)MAGNESIUM (Mg)CALCIUM (Ca)ZINC (Zn)PHOSPHORUS (P)SULPHUR (S)BARIUM (Ba)BORON (B)LITHIUM (Li)SODIUM (Na)SILICON (Si)Cylinder liners, crankshafts, gears, shafts, valves, anti-friction bearings, rust, radiator water.Cylinder liners, rings, shafts, anti-friction bearings, internal coolant leak, dirt entry, coatings.Anti-friction bearings, gears, turbine components, valve and valve guides, coatings, fuel contaminant (bunker fuel).Piston rings, synchro rings, oil additives, greases, solid additives (anti-friction), internal coolant leak.Turbine blades, valves, fuel contaminant (bunker fuel).Shafts, valves, anti-friction bearings, dirt entry.Turbine components, springs, valves, ceramics, dirt entry.Pistons, plain bearings, torque convertors, thrust washers, bushes, housings, pumps, grease, dirt entry.Plain bearings, bushes, thrust washers, any components made from ‘yellow metal alloys’ (such as bronze, phosphor bronze or brass),worm gears, clutch packs, brakes, cooling system, oil additives, assembly greases.Plain bearings, piston flashing, solder, cooling system.Plain bearings, bushes, clutch packs, cooling system, solder, oil additives, petrol additives, combustion by-products, greases, coatings.Oil additives, sea water, coatings, engine blocks, housings/casings.Oil additives, greases, sea water.Oil additives, brass components, cooling system.Oil additives, bronze components.Oil additives, base oil component.Oil additives.Oil additives, internal coolant leak.Greases.Internal coolant leak, oil additives, greases, dirt entry, sea water.Dirt entry, oil additives, internal coolant leak, greases, assembly compounds, pistons, silicon/aluminium alloys.5