08 E92 Oil Analysis Question - Source of Lead

Quick Question regarding my Blackstone Oil analysis:

Just bought an 08 6MT M3 ~106k miles and sent the oil off to get tested. Apparently I didn't send enough, and I'm not sure how reliable "spectral results" are however it's all I have as of now.

Lead obviously tested very high. The 08 bearings are made out of copper, but from searching other posts, I've read there is a lead layer that wears before the copper. Just wanted to confirm this is correct, and that is the most probable cause of the high lead content.

I'm replacing bearings regardless but wanted to be sure the most probable source of the lead. I also got a filter tested which had very large aluminum flakes. Is this most likely from pistons?

Any help is appreciated.

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

GORDON.M3 wrote

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

Hein Jockins wrote

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

Show some pictures of the old rod bearings when you get em out.

I'll post em.

Wonder what the alu flakes are?

Post here once done: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

Helmsman wrote

Wonder what the alu flakes are?

Post here once done: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

Read somewhere that its normal to see some aluminum since the block is aluminum however I have no idea if that's accurate.

its55 wrote

Read somewhere that its normal to see some aluminum since the block is aluminum however I have no idea if that's accurate.

The only "flakes" I've heard of is from the inside of the valve covers. Believe this is fairly common though. As long as they are caught by the filter it doesn't have to be an issue (which was the case right?).
Take a look down the oil fill, if its the covers that are loosing pain inside you'll see it.

Edit: one of many examples: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=935340

Interesting. Didn't think of that. The most prevalent material in the filter was a non metallic paint or paint sealer. Could definitely be valve covers then.

GORDON.M3 wrote

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

I think GORDON.M3 described it well, and here's a picture that illustrates the different layers.

(This was one of the better looking rod side bearings out of my '08)

Thank you! I knew they were copper bearings in pre lci, but this clears up where the lead is from. Thanks for the help. Pumped to actually drive this machine how it should be here soon.

Hein Jockins wrote

GORDON.M3 wrote

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

Hein Jockins wrote

GORDON.M3 wrote

High Lead content is exactly what you think it is. Rod bearings.
The lead layer is first to go, then you'll have the copper bearings exposed to the crank shortly after. Get the rod bearings done asap, with 74ppm of Lead it's not looking good.

Thank you-- just wanted to make sure my understanding is accurate, as this is my first S65. Bringing my car in this week to do RB's, so interested to see what they look like.

please share your results

Are we sure that aluminum flakes don't come from the main bearings?

Any idea how many miles on the oil sample?

NoHedge wrote

Any idea how many miles on the oil sample?

The oil was allegedly changed at 105,060 per carfax, and I changed it about 600 miles later. Not sure if this is accurate cause the oil was pretty dark.

clubsport.m3 wrote

Are we sure that aluminum flakes don't come from the main bearings?

If I'm not mistaken the main bearings are the same material as the rod bearings.
Lead/copper also in the 08.