Over the last few oil analyses, my Lead levels have slowly increased (20, then 26, then 29, now 35) According to the person who does my analyses lead is associated with bearing wear and he specifically mentioned cam bearings could be a culprit. Has anyone else had an issue like this? I know on domestics they have cam bearings etc which can wear but didn't see anything like that in the Helms. Last time I did a valve adj (about 5k ago) my camshafts seemed OK, no real scarring. I'm hoping to god it's not a main or rod bearing.
Does anyone know a good way to try to pinpoint what is specifically wearing without pulling the block out and eyeballing?

I'm using Redline 5W30 and for the love of god, please don't turn this into another oil debate
Thanks

Jeff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pyromaster &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">s lead is associated with bearing wear and he specifically mentioned cam bearings </TD></TR></TABLE>

The cams don't ride on any bearing Did that guy know what he was talking about?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by canuck-mx6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The cams don't ride on any bearing Did that guy know what he was talking about?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah. He was talking about Pb levels in general are usually linked to cam bearings which other types of cars have.

I guess when it gets warmer I'll pull the valve cover and look again but I don't know of any lead parts that'd be up around the cam shafts

 

only bearings I know that might contain lead are the main/rod bearings. They are that tri-metal stuff.

 

subscribed

 

Here are my results.. my Lead levels went down.
I am not sure where the Lead would come from.

 

haha, I know:


you have been using leaded race gas and getting blow-by.

Therefore, lead in your oil.

j/k!

Sounds like maybe bearings like the other d00d said.

Double-check valve lash and I'm assuming you're keeping the same mileage/ time interval for changes?

 

Thanks Will
You're #'s look better than my #s. Here's my file over the last few samples.
Any other ideas ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">haha, I know:
you have been using leaded race gas and getting blow-by.
Therefore, lead in your oil. j/k!

Sounds like maybe bearings like the other d00d said.
Double-check valve lash and I'm assuming you're keeping the same mileage/ time interval for changes? </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL Maybe I shouldn't have used lead paint to paint the inside of my valve cover

I did a valve adj ~45k (it's at 50k now) and change my oil ~4k.

-jeff, who wonders how expensive it is to replace main/rod bearings

 

Where can I get this done is Canada?

 

I don't know if Terry or Blackstone labs ships to Canada but poke around on http://www.bobistheoilguy.com. I know I've seen posts from people in Canada on there

 

Wow, that is weird...... my #'s for reference:



Unless the rod/main/cam bearings were of different composition (they may be) and you can do a more in-depth analysis of what exactly is coming out of your earl then I dont know how you can pinpoint the wear without pulling the block out. I guess you could remove the cams and inspect, or remove the pan/pickup/tray and start pulling off rod caps...