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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Oil Lab Analysis Results
Sometimes I think it's better to live in blissful ignorance, and this might be one of those times...

For no reason other than morbid curiosity I had a sample of my engine oil analysed and it "failed" on soot content. They are suggesting a move to 3000 miles oil changes which seems excessive for a car intended to do 10k or 12k or whatever it is. I assume soot can only find it's way in from the combustion chamber. I don't have high oil consumption, excess smoke or anything like that.

I attach the report below just for idle discussion really. Has anyone else had a sample tested?

Worth noting that I guessed it had done 6k on that oil, on checking the MOT record the reality is more like it did 4.5k to 5k miles which is worse still.







Click image to enlarge
 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1072954 7th Aug 2025 5:27pm
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 814

United Kingdom 
I can understand your concerns, but unless you are prepared to have your oil checked at all oil changes for a while to establish a pattern its hard to say..
If you are not having any running issues then most probably the work involved in sorting that out would be extensive..
Post #1072986 8th Aug 2025 9:19am
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MercianRover



Member Since: 07 Apr 2022
Location: Culworth
Posts: 163

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Java Black
Checking the elements detected against the "likely source" list coolant is the one which appears most often, if you have concerns perhaps carry out a compression test and a coolant sniff and pressure leakdown checks to see whether the head gasket is failing.

You don't state the engine type but I presume it's your TDCi - can you remove the heater plugs and see if there are any lacking soot (i.e. that cylinder is being "steam cleaned").
Post #1072989 8th Aug 2025 10:41am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Yes, it's a 2.4tdci. I did spot the Boron reading, but assume that as it wasn't flagged in the commentary it is not a level to cause any concern. I don't have any change in coolant level or anything. I'll look at getting one of those sniff test kits. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1072996 8th Aug 2025 12:05pm
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MercianRover



Member Since: 07 Apr 2022
Location: Culworth
Posts: 163

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Java Black
Look also at the Molybdenum and Silicon likely sources too, I worked from L-R along the histogram.

Interesting there isn't a change in level.
Post #1072997 8th Aug 2025 12:32pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I think the Boron, Silicon and Molybdenum can all come from additives in the oil the fact they are present isn't necessarily a problem. I read on another forum that when queried, Millers only get concerned if Boron is higher than 300ppm 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1073000 8th Aug 2025 2:25pm
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Fernando



Member Since: 25 Oct 2017
Location: CABA
Posts: 98

Argentina 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Bonatti Grey
It could be the injector seals against the cover.
Post #1073018 8th Aug 2025 6:34pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2489

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
The results are perfectly normal. Consider as well, labs never report any uncertainty on the results (+/- error).

Short trips and stop and go reduce the performance and life of the oil and it is considered a "severe drivng condition". Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #1073049 9th Aug 2025 12:37pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
The lab are saying the soot figure is not normal though. For it to be above the acceptable level after so few miles is a concern. No short journeys in this vehicle either. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1073068 9th Aug 2025 9:16pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2489

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
any black smoke, smelly exhaust, air filter, to much idling? Maybe change to a "better" oil or change it at 6000 km interval. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #1073069 9th Aug 2025 9:41pm
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Ianh



Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2457

United Kingdom 
So having high soot and coolant contamination would make me look at the EGR cooler.

Bypassing both the cooler and mapping out and blanking the EGR may be a good idea.
Post #1073070 9th Aug 2025 9:52pm
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 814

United Kingdom 
Maybe its me missing something here but the op said the only cause for concern in the report was soot levels...
Coolant contamination was not a concern..
There has been an assumption that because the level particularly of boron that that leads to coolant because the table says that's one source.. engine oil additives could be another source and high because the oil is still relatively new and additives still effective...I dont know..but the lab arnt concerned..
Someone mentioned injector sealing above..to me that could be a good call for high soot.. assuming that the injector install is as it is on my 2.2 engine..they would blow by into the rocker covering lead to oil contamination...
Post #1073072 10th Aug 2025 6:33am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
You're right.Andy, it's the soot that is the concern to me.

Is there a check or test to confirm leaking injector seals? 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1073075 10th Aug 2025 9:55am
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Will@LRW



Member Since: 04 May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 228

 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
For reference, my 300Tdis have had about about 0.5-1% TIM (total insoluble matter, soot) on a 5000 mile interval.

The real value of an oil analysis is monitoring the change in relative values over time. I would wait until the next oil change and do another analysis LR Workshop
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Last edited by Will@LRW on 10th Aug 2025 2:03pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1073078 10th Aug 2025 10:42am
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 814

United Kingdom 
Which is what i suggested in my first post.. a number of tests may give a better idea of a trend..
That aside im not sure what engine we are on about but if it is the type with injector pockets within the rocker cover as opposed to external to it then the comments in my last post would be relevant..
As to how you establish a blow by with the rocker cover in place is more problematic.. listening.. removing the oil filler and listening and observing..
If you have a scope then install a pulse sensor or pressure sensor through the oil filler cap and see if the waveform gives an indication..
Post #1073083 10th Aug 2025 11:53am
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