First Oil Analysis on 2004.5

[moparmarty]

FYI: I have 5,300 miles on my truck and was trying to decide when to perform my first oil change. My usage has been 70% highway miles usually around 60 MPH, 20% stop & go city driving and 10% towing my 21' TT through the mountains of Oregon. The report came back showing everything well within acceptable limits, except for some dirt that I think came from the drain plug. After reading the discussions on TDR regarding soot in the oil, it was interesting to note that the analysis showed the soot reading to be "32% of allowable limits. " So with my type of driving, I could probably go 15,000 miles before soot became an issue.



The analysis cost $13 including a sample collection jar, a long plastic tube to put down the dipstick tube to draw an uncontaminated sample and a postpaid mailer. I dropped off the sample at 9:00 AM and received the email report by 12:30 that day.



I'm getting ready to head to Texas with my trailer for 3-4 months and will change the oil & filter before I go. I will probably put 8,000 miles on the truck during that time and plan to not change oil again until I get home. I will have the oil analyzed again before I change it.



On a recent highway trip of 350 miles each way, I got 21. 99 MPG at a constant speed of 60 MPH going and 23. 3 MPG at a constant speed of 55 MPH returning. I'm retired and enjoy the journey.



If anyone is interested in seeing the report as a .pdf file, let me know.

 

[JGraham]

What Lab did you use?

Marty,

What is the name and address of the lab that performed the analysis?
Thanks,
Jack

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Early oil analysis - those done at very low miles on a new engine - tend to show much higher wear metals due to new surfaces adjusting to each other.



Personally, I prefer to NOT use that "dipstick oil draw" for oil samples, due to the tendency for various sludge and similar gunk to accumulate there inside the dipstick tube and be included in the sample oil, potentially slewing test results...



Just a FWIW...

 

[moparmarty]

Peterson Machinery In Springfield, OR 541 302 9199. The cost is $13 and includes a sample bottle and a postpaid mailer. They will mail, fax or email you the results. I had the results in three hours.



The small plastic tube they include does not go down the dipstick tube far enough to get the oil. There is a blockage about 6" before the oil. So I've ordered an oil pan drain valve with the nipple from Geno's.

 

[JGraham]

Thanks for the info.
Jack

 

[RankRam]

When I take a sample for analysis I clean around the drain plug. I then pull the plug and when about half the oil is drained I put the sample bottle into the stream of oil to get my sample. My results have always came back with good repeatable #'s.



Do any of you see a problem with this method?



I should note that I have done this with both my ctd's and have never had any strange #'s.

 

[Tony T.]

When I take a sample for analysis I clean around the drain plug. I then pull the plug and when about half the oil is drained I put the sample bottle into the stream of oil to get my sample. My results have always came back with good repeatable #'s.



Do any of you see a problem with this method?



I should note that I have done this with both my ctd's and have never had any strange #'s.

This is how Blackstone suggested taking the oil sample. Of course I'll never know on my first oil sample I sent Blackstone,they have not received it, it was sent 8/16/04. Good ole' reliable postal service lost it.





An I agree with Gary, looks to me you could get some junk in that sample bottle you don't want, through the dip stick tube.



Tony

 

[RankRam]

Thanks for the info Tony T.

 

[Tony T.]

Thanks for the info Tony T.

Your Welcome!



Tony