430 - Engine Oil: High copper content. | FerrariChat

430 Engine Oil: High copper content.

Discussion in '360/430' started by Rdunn67, Aug 4, 2024.

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  1. Rdunn67

    Rdunn67 Rookie

    Jul 6, 2024
    4
    Full Name:
    Rob Dunn
    Anyone had this from an oil sample test?

    My 430 oil is 60ppm copper.

    Cause unknown, any suggestions?

    Thanks.
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,214
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    How did you get oil.sample..was in the middle of a drain ?



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  3. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,214
    Central NJ
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    Dominick
    It would also help if you tell us how many miles on car and and on oil ..360 or 430

    If you attach the report ..even better ..just blackout your personal info

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  4. clean512

    clean512 Formula 3

    Feb 4, 2010
    2,147
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    Josh @jtcarprojects
    Think his title says 430. But yes you can get a smaple during a drain and send out.
     
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  5. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,214
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    That wasn't my question ..I do it all the time.on my cars ..my question (sorry not clear) was if the sample was taken in the middle of the drain or in the beginning...the reason is if taken right from the beginning he may have gotten containments from the crush washer ..just a theory


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  6. clean512

    clean512 Formula 3

    Feb 4, 2010
    2,147
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    Josh @jtcarprojects
    Gotcha
     
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  7. andrejwolk1975

    andrejwolk1975 Karting

    Feb 28, 2020
    154
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Andrea M
    My guess, big end bronze bearings. Check for weak oil pressure, 1st symptom.
     
  8. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    914
    S La
    Why do oil tests? What are you going to do based on the tests other than maybe change brands or oil weight?
     
  9. Rdunn67

    Rdunn67 Rookie

    Jul 6, 2024
    4
    Full Name:
    Rob Dunn
    F430. 35k miles. Oil pressure is normal.

    I assume the sample was taken at the correct point as these are experienced testers.

    Copper reading is 60ppm after 1,500-mile use interval from new oil

    But only 20ppm after 600-mile use interval from new oil.

    Previously, at 30k miles the reading was around 10ppm copper.

    No change in any other wear readings. (ie iron)

    Questions: Do Ferrari dealers or independent service specialists undertake these oil tests on F430’s routinely?

    What I’d like to know is has anyone else had this and what was the cause & remedy?

    The car is running 100% & has had comprehensive routine servicing.

    Thanks.
     
  10. Mario Andretti

    Mario Andretti Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 9, 2020
    1,845
    Boston
    Show us the oil report, I shared mine .. what is their comment? I got 8 ppm last time and 12ppm a year back. Amsoil and Redline respectively.
     
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  11. anotherred360

    anotherred360 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    283
    USA
    Do the main or rod bearings have a copper layer within? If you haven't thrown out the old oil filter I'd cut it open to inspect.
     
  12. Mario Andretti

    Mario Andretti Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 9, 2020
    1,845
    Boston
    I don't have knowledge of how Ferrari rod bearings are built; but my M3 had very high copper content and one of the lower bearings was a goner. I changed my rod bearings just in time to save the engine... I caught it with a Blackstone oil analysis. I would not drive the car anymore with such high copper content; but I am not familiar with what else is copper in Ferrari (not much apart from valve guides in BMW).

    EDIT: I just want to add that engine can feel very strong and normal (it still has good compression and all, so power and general running/startup is not affected) , but when you hear that main rod knock... it's gone.
     
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  13. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,214
    Central NJ
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    Dominick
    What was ppm of the copper vs normal.on the bmw

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  14. Mario Andretti

    Mario Andretti Formula 3
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    Aug 9, 2020
    1,845
    Boston
    I just looked at the report; copper was twice the average for the engine/miles, but lead (outside layer of rod bearings in M3) was 4 times the average, which was suspect for rod bearings ( and it was). Here is their comment:

    Lead was 27ppm (average of 7) and copper was 5 (average of 2)

    Copper, lead, and tin are the metals that show bearing wear for the S65 engines used in the E92 M3. Universal averages show typical wear after ~5,000 miles on the oil. Copper is a little high, and lead is abnormal. Lead is from the outermost layer of the bearings, and if that babbitt layer has worn through, copper could also be from bearings. Copper can be from other bronze parts, too, like valvetrain bushings. Monitor for low oil pressure or unusual noise, and follow up on bearing wear in only 1K miles. Neither the thin viscosity nor the trace of fuel is very cautionary.
     
  15. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,214
    Central NJ
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    Dominick
    I would take a sample.myself and retest and not rely on someone doing it for me
    .too.many variables

    That is what I understand from OP
    .and monitor it



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  16. Doctor Mark

    Doctor Mark Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2005
    927
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Mark Gronsbell
    High copper, I believe, is usually associated with bearing wear. At the least, you might try a different brand of oil and see if that helps.
     
  17. rkrkrk

    rkrkrk Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2023
    122
    CT USA
    What ever happened with this? I took a sample and got 15ppm which is slightly higher than average, but I wonder if it was becuase the car wasn’t not driven much in the past year and could’ve been some oil cooler copper leeching.
     
  18. rkrkrk

    rkrkrk Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2023
    122
    CT USA
    Typo, meant 25ppm.
     
  19. DiSomma6

    DiSomma6 Formula Junior

    Nov 27, 2023
    301
    Full Name:
    Erik
    Everyone relax. It's likely the variator bushings. Not a big deal. They are thick copper tubes and if you were to inspect them, you'll see the wear. Problem is to access them, you'll need to remove the variators themselves with a removal tool from Ferrari as well as cam locks.

    I would not worry about it, unless you're getting a startup rattle or timing codes. If you don't drive your car much, then you will very likely find some copper in the oil due to these bushings wearing at startup.

    It is definitely not bearings. Sorry but the F136 motors in the 430 are bulletproof. You can track it every day to over 100k miles without issue. Other than valve cover gaskets, variator solenoids and maybe chain guides (at over 100K miles), it generally holds up unless you shoot it with an incendiary round.

    With that said, there are sometimes issues with oil getting to parts of the top end. Harmless but it can cause some valve tap on the F430, 599s, 612s and that whole era of cars. As a remedy, Ferrari dumps Tutela additive in the oil which is ridiculous and toxic in my opinion. It's effectively a thickener that masks the sounds and just adds more buildup. I literally have CURED relentless top end noise with Seafoam in the oil for about 300 miles. Rather than masking noise, it's a cleaner, so once it's drained, there's no need to add it again. Sound disappears forever.

    I mention this because it's possible that the lack of oil causes excessive wear on the variator bushings, leading to the copper content being elevated. Can't prove it, but I know the oil lines that run from the solenoids and the variator accumulator only feed the advancement and retarding of the variator position, not the surfaces (it's used as a hydraulic fluid, not lubricant).

    In summary, don't worry about it. If you're in a hot climate, you may want to use a thicker oil (10w60) but it's not always necessary.
     
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  20. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    914
    S La
    The longer you look for problems, the higher the odds of finding, and fixing, for no reason, a potential problem, that was never a problem to begin with.
     
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  21. EWR

    EWR Karting

    Oct 18, 2020
    59
    Lowcountry SC
    Full Name:
    William
    You should precede this with "Confucius say:"
     

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