rgano
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 5,179
- Location
- Panama City area
- Vessel Name
- FROLIC
- Vessel Make
- Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Here's the thing about this single sample; you have no clue about the history of any previous samples or if any were actually taken. When I sold my two Lehman 120s a few years back, the new owner got 29 years worth of 100-hour samples. Within those samples there was an episode of relatively high sodium but no potassium, high iron, aluminum and copper. Problem was pointed out as possible coolant contamination by the analysis company and was resolved after replacement of the gaskets on the ends of the exhaust manifold. Samples for many years thereafter showed normal levels. In this case, you do not know how long this went on, but my buyer did know it was of short duration. So my guess is coolant contamination, but which of the many sources (including the worst case of head gasket leak) is it? So how much of a gambler are you? Personally, there would have to be a mighty big discount from asking price for me to go forward unless a verifiable series of oil samples convinced me otherwise.