Oil Analysis - My Story

[rjirvine]

Has anyone gotten any good information from their oil analysis?

 

My story:

I sent my first sample when my truck had 100k miles (I bought it with 91k miles) to make sure everything was ok. They said I was reaching the normal limit of fuel in the oil which was reducing the viscosity to minimum acceptable for 5W-30. I do drive about 8 miles each way to work so that seemed reasonable. They recommended I take it for a 30 minute drive next time before I change the oil and pull the sample. I did so, and the next analysis was fine for oil/fuel but high in silicon. So, I changed my air filter and made sure all the intake connections were good and next time everything was fine. I now put 5 quarts of 5W-30 and one of 10W-30 to try and keep the viscosity a little higher in winter with my short drives.

 

I don't see the need to have it analyzed every oil change but maybe every 18 months or 20k miles or so? What do you guys think?

[georgecdisc]

I have never had my oil analyzed. Who did you get it done by? How much did it cost? Sounds like on a higher mileage vehicle they were able to help you out to diagnose any issues.

 

Depending on the price, I would say every 12 to 24 months is a good amount to get it done. Certainly, if there are any problems that seem to be cropping up, getting it done would be a good idea. If there is 100k miles and little to zero issues, I would wait at least 24 months before doing it again.

[Irv]

I use to get mine done every oil change when I was using Kendal Elite synthetic engine oil, it was free.

Then came cut backs and they wanted to charge for it so I discontinued. At the time I quit, I was up to 11,000 km's between oil changes, that is what they recommended based on the analysis. Wish it was still available or Mobil-1 had something similar, for free.........Irv

[rjirvine]

The analysis through Blackstone is $22.50. Just google Blackstone laboratories. They will send you the collection kit(s) for free and then you just pay when you get it analyzed. For me at 100k miles on an unknown truck brought piece of mind.

 

There may be other companies out there that offer analysis, I just am relaying who i went through.

[oldcoldankles]

I used to get mine done by Caterpillar but quit them after they lost an oil sample I sent them and sent me an analysis from another contractor! Recently our local Freightliner dealer installed a Shell testing machine right at the parts counter where you can test your own oil and print out the results in 10 minutes for about $15.

[nh09z71]

I just sent for the Blackstone Labs kit last week.

 

Truck currently has 1600 miles on it.....just changed oil @ 980 miles. Made the switch to Mobil 1.....looking to see what the oil is like after 5-6k.

[killterrorists]

I have never had an oil analysis done on my truck. I have 172,000 om my '01 silvy so I think I'll get an oil analysis done before I hit 200k. I'm curious to see what the results will be.

[Black02Silverado]

I use Dyson Analysis. Terry is top notch and gives you a very personable feedback. Not just a small four to five line sentence telling you what is up with your oil. He sends back the full report, which includes the TAN reading and the TBN reading as well on a PDF file and an MP3 file explaining each and every item on the report from all the wear metals to all the oil additives. Then he gives you what he can from the report as to what to change or fix if there is an issue. You can also call him personnaly and talk to him if you have any questions.

 

You can get a kit from here. OK now for all the OMG statements of the high cost. Yes the analysis isn't cheap but then you don't get the personal touch from other labs like you do from Terry. He has saved one of my customers motorcycle engine. Found the issue before it had a chance to trash the engine.

 

Blackstone is a great lab to use and for the cost you can't go wrong, but if you want a very detailed report with a personal touch then Terry Dyson is the way to go.

 

I don't have a life, I don't hunt, fish, golf or any other sport for that matter. Don't smoke, or drink so the extra money that one enjoys doing on the weekend in the activities previously stated I spend it on oil analysis, right down to my 21hp Exmark Lazer ZHP mower. So I guess you can say oil analysis is my hobby.

 

Can you post what BlackStone sent you so we all can view it? I'm just curious as to the report as a whole.