SlickSpur Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 I received my oil results back from the lab and I was told I have high copper amounts. What would cause this? Is it normal for our cars? Is it something I should be concerned with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibr_adam09 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 A quick search said it may be bearing going bad. Do you put any thing in your oil, like additives ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 No additives, I've used Castrol GTX 5w30 since I've owned it. A few dealership oil changes mixed in when it's been freezing but that's about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibr_adam09 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 How long do you go between oil changes ? I'm getting varied results on google.com but most say the copper could be from the bearings from the turbo or engine . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PearlBlueGT Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 What oil filter are you using? Maybe switch to Napa Platinum and run some higher quality oil like Rotella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 How long do you go between oil changes ? I'm getting varied results on google.com but most say the copper could be from the bearings from the turbo or engine . Generally 3750 but the oil the analysis was from was 4.5k. I've gone 4k before as well. Do you think that has something to do with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 What oil filter are you using? Maybe switch to Napa Platinum and run some higher quality oil like Rotella I use the Subaru filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Copper is in the bushings, like wrist pins and the turbo bearing. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Copper is in the bushings, like wrist pins and the turbo bearing. So nothing out of the ordinary for our cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 well how many miles on your car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 My copper is 13 in my 09 Spec with 33,000 miles on it. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Was it pure copper or a copper alloy? It does matter since different bearings are made from different alloys. And particle size is also a factor. But the problem is to figure out which bearing. And there are a few to choose between (turbo, crankshaft, conrod small end...), and also some mechanical devices like camshaft timing. One thing to check (but it may be hard to do now) is if the oil used did contain an additive containing copper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I received my oil results back from the lab and I was told I have high copper amounts......... What is the exact copper concentration? What are the concentrations for silicon, lead, tin, and silver? What is the 100C viscosity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I thought I saw his report on here, with all is personal info, may be he is editing it in My Documents to block out his address and stuff. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Here you go guys. Should have posted earlier. My commute is about 10 minutes to and from work each day, not exactly ideal for the car. There were 34k miles when these oil results were taken. I had gone about 4,500 miles OCI. I was concerned about this, which was why I had sent it in, in the first place. I am usually pretty good with OCI's, I had one at 4k previously but the others had been at 3,750. I just bought my first house and am taking two classes, so the oil change took longer than desired to get time to do. I used Subaru filters and Castrol GTX 5w30. I don't believe there are any copper additives in that oil. I didn't add anything extra myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTTuner Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Turbo time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Turbo time! You think my turbo needs replacing? I hope not, as I just rolled over warranty the other day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 checking for shaft play wouldn't hurt, just to be safe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Sometimes copper comes from the turbo. For now, it's just something to monitor, but once we figure out whether it's increasing, we should know if any action needs to be taken. The turbo should be covered for 60,000 miles. I thought you said the car has 34,000 miles on it. I guess you know to keep having the oil tested. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 ^^^ this is true. powertrain warranty is 60k miles. this includes the engine and turbo components. bumper to bumper is full coverage for odds and ends, but it's not the only warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 You'd be better off posting your results and this question over at bitog. I wouldn't sound the alarm and buy a new turbo over 26ppm of copper in a uoa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I don't see anything alarming in this UOA. Copper is at 26 ppm, not 300 ppm. It is not unusual to see a copper spike in Subaru UOAs. Copper can come from internal sources, or external sources. Keep in mind that a single UOA has very little predictive value, especially when the wear numbers are as low as yours. Do another UOA after 3000 miles, and if concentrations of copper, lead, tin, and silver have increased significantly, then you can start worrying a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 .......I didn't add anything extra myself. Did you store the used oil in a milk carton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSpur Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Did you store the used oil in a milk carton? Yes. Thanks for the replies, everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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