Let's compare oil samples and labs...

[truckmen]

Hey all!

While I am still at home, let me attach some images of my last oil sample.
I'm doing another oil change later today (if I ever get off this computer) and would like to compare who I use with those of you who use other labs just to see if I have selected a good company.

I get my kits from any Travel Centers of America (TAs) mainly because it's convenient. Then, when home, I just pull my sample an send it off in the prepaid envelope

 

[JoshuaJobe]

2010 2500 90K Lube Time Reports 7-12

Here are my results. Truck has an AMSOIL Full Flow Filter and Bypass Filter and runs AMSOIL Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine 15W-40. The lab I use is Oil Analyzers, Inc. I have the latest oil sample on it's way to the lab. Sent off Thurs., 27 July. Page 2 was intentionally left out as it was just for particle count, which had no data. Oil change planned next week based on results of the latest results. The potassium and iron has been trending upward, but still low. I'll probably have the coolant system pressure tested before changing oil. I was planning on pulling the head to put studs in and inspect everything based on the extended drain interval, but I just don't have the time. If the results come back unfavorably (not expected), then I'll probably send it to a shop to do the work and put ARP studs in. If coolant check fails, I'll probably send off to a shop sooner. If all results come back good, I'll pull the valve cover and adjust the valves, take photos and change the oil.

As of the date of the reports (28 Nov 2016), truck had 135K miles on it; lube time is 90K. Truck currently has over 150K miles with lube time @ 105K miles at sample time.

 

[truckmen]

Here are my results. Truck has an AMSOIL Full Flow Filter and Bypass Filter and runs AMSOIL Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine 15W-40. The lab I use is Oil Analyzers, Inc. I have the latest oil sample on it's way to the lab. Sent off Thurs., 27 July. Page 2 was intentionally left out as it was just for particle count, which had no data. Oil change planned next week based on results of the latest results. The potassium and iron has been trending upward, but still low. I'll probably have the coolant system pressure tested before changing oil. I was planning on pulling the head to put studs in and inspect everything based on the extended drain interval, but I just don't have the time. If the results come back unfavorably (not expected), then I'll probably send it to a shop to do the work and put ARP studs in. If coolant check fails, I'll probably send off to a shop sooner. If all results come back good, I'll pull the valve cover and adjust the valves, take photos and change the oil.

As of the date of the reports (28 Nov 2016), truck had 135K miles on it; lube time is 90K. Truck currently has over 150K miles with lube time @ 105K miles at sample time.
View attachment 99472 View attachment 99473

How much do you pay for your samples? I pay ~$20 each which includes the mailer.

Ralph

 

[JoshuaJobe]

It's $19.50 w/o shipping. About $26 w/shipping. I took a closer look at your analysis; the TBN of the oil is missing. TBN is the oil's ability to neutralize acid. As the TBN of an oil begins to diminish, the ability to protect against corrosive reactions is diminished as well. The higher the TBN the better, but the longer an oil is in service, the lower the TBN will be. I'd be curious what the TBN of your oil is when new and at the intervals you are changing the oil at.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Sample with 15K on it taken at 30K using AMZ/OIL's best 15/40 full synthetic. Fleetguard Stratapore filter.

 

[JoshuaJobe]

Got the latest oil report back; good for continued use. Potassium is down, so I'm not entirely certain where that would be coming from. Still plan on changing the oil though.