Oil Samples

[Papa Rick]

Just wanting to know, how many of you:

1. Send your oil to analyzed.

2. How often do you do this

3. What are the benefits of this.

4. Would you recommend it on an older engine.

[Maniac]

1. Yes I do, its around $18.00

2. Every 3rd oil change

3.It is like a pysical for your engine, they can tell whats going on inside and if anything need to be done, like new bearings, or changing the air filter.

4.Yes, especially an older engine.

Try www.blackstone-labs.com Read a sample report and everything oil analysis can tell you.

[yoopr]

Oil Analysis are Amazing and the Info they get is pretty impressive.

[GMAN]

An oil analysis can tell you what is going on in your engine based upon the amount of particulates in the oil. If you have a higher than normal amount of copper or other type of metals in the oil, then you may be headed for a component failure. The oil analysis will enable you to catch it before it becomes a major problem and can be repaired for much less than waiting until there is a breakdown. You could have bearings which may be about to fail. The oil analysis will tell you that there is a problem and you should go ahead and replace the bearings which will save you money in the long run. It could also save you additional damage should a component fail while you are on the road. Some oil change shops can do the analysis while you wait, others may need to send it off. It is a cheap insurance policy.

[classicxl]

Speedco does it right on site for about $16 dollars

[Papa Rick]

Thanks everyone, I ordered the kit from blackstone and will do the sample on my next oil change.

[duck]

I would recommend them. At the dealership I work at - we pull samples for those that request them. Had a 230k mile ISX show high levels of lead and iron in one today. Some concern for the bearings there....

I consider it a cheap check-up. Motors may sound ok, pull ok and such but are falling apart internaly. When asked I alsways suggest getting one pulled if just to have a baseline and then on a more relazed schedule thatn every oil change - you can see what and where you engine is headed.

[yoopr]

Blatz beer? Do they even make it anymore? :P

[Dejanh]

Would warranty cover the costs associated with the results of this test, if one was done at the local Freightliner for ex. and something foud to be ,,out of shape'' ?

[number9]

^ Probably not until something broke would be my guess.

I paid $13 for an oil sample 2 oil changes ago and STILL have not gotten it back - from local oil change place. Calls to them get the run around that they send them out and I have to contact the testing place, yada, yada, yada. Typical I guess.

I am going to order the kit from Blackstone and the pump and just start pulling the samples myself. That way I will KNOW what is going on.

Thanks for sharing the link to Blackstone guys.

[Papa Rick]

I sent off for my sample kit 3 weeks ago, and got it today. It comes with very good instructions on how to get the sample, and methods of shipping and payment.

Thanks for telling me about Blackstone Laboratories.

[GMAN]

You might check with Freightliner. They used to keep them.