Oil Analysis

[JMorrow]

Hello



Who or where is the best place tho go to for a OIL ANALYSIS for our trucks. And what do we look for from this OIL ANALYSIS? Thanks for any information.





John



1993 Club Cab 4X4 75,000 miles.

 

[Oil Man]

I feel that CTC is the best and their # is1-800-524-7848. If you want help reading the oil analysis just e-mail me and I'd be glad to help you understant it.



Kevin

-- email address removed --

 

[JJW_ND]

Two thumbs for CTC

I also have had great luck with CTC http://www.ctclink.com/



Great lab and very good pricing on Sample kits.



jjw

 

[SlyBones]

Myself ( and many others ) have used Oil Analyzers Inc. Dont know the webstite address. http://www.oaitesting.com ( found it )



Blaclstone is another one. I have heard they dont give TBN readings as part of the analysis. Why most choose to go with oil analyzers.

 

[illflem]

This company offers the first test for free http://www.pdma.com/sample.htm they know our trucks very well and are a top notch outfit. Since we have oil analysis equipment at work now I've been doing my own and haven't tried pdma.

 

[Deezul1]

been using Blackstone but they have gone up in price and the local Cummins shop has sample kits for $11. 00

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by SlyBones

Blaclstone is another one. I have heard they dont give TBN readings as part of the analysis.

Yep, Blackstone does not provide TBN number. I have been using them for the last 5 years on two diesel trucks now. My last sample, about a month ago was $17.



Tom

 

[GRudy]

TBN?

OK, I give... What's TBN numbers and why is it important? I have also been useing Blackstone since my truck was new in 99.

 

[SlyBones]

Well I dont have the brochure in front of me, so I may get this a little fuzzy, but ... .



TBN is Total Base Number



Its a measure of how well the additive package in the oil is holding up. The number gets lower as the oils wears and breaks down. Someone smarter than me, will have to give more details.



My understanding from reading and asking in the posts here is:



Wear metal content, coolant, fuel, water, soot, and thinks like that are good for telling you wear and tear on your truck. Tells you whats going wrong, can help diagnose problems or point to potential problems. Unless you have a serious problem, typically is combined with a trend analysis. You notice over time, from report to report, that a particular metal has increased a lot.



If you were using a bypass filter, and running your oil for a long duration, TBN or TAN ( Total Acid Number ) would be what you would monitor to deterine when its time to change the oil. As long as the TBN is holding up, and you dont have excessive wear, leaks, problems people just change the filters and add make up oil.



Know you know what I know, right or wrong.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

TBN numbers are fine for those using greatly extended oil change intervals - but not particularly of any value for those of us changing oil at 5 to 10 thousand miles...



But obviously, if you can get the TBN numbers from a reputable outfit for the same price as others charge without TBN readout, why not?

 

[C Schomer]

I've been trying to 'read between the line' about oil tests. TBN is the ability to neutralize acids - bases neutralizes acids. That's why you change when the TBN get near 7. 7. 0 is neutral Ph - balance of H and OH ions.

 

[GRudy]

Amazing

It never ceases to amaze me the thing we learn here. Thanks Guys!

 

[SlyBones]

Well if you are supposed to change the oil when the TBN is 7. 0, then it may be worth it even for those who use short intervals. Back this summer I posted the results of Delo 400 15w-40 and Amsoil 15w-40 both in my truck for 4000mi. Same truck, driver, commute etc. Not exactly scientific but ... ... From a wear point of view the Delo was the same as the Amsoil. No real difference in the two reports at all, except one thing. TBN. The Delo was at 7. 1 and the Amsoil was at 12. 8

 

[bipit]

John,



I just sent my first oil sample to www.pdma.com in Tampa, Fl.



They offer the first (2) for free, very quick turn around, and awesome number of elements tested for.



They included a slide section of the oil sample magnified 200X, I think they were just trying to show off.



First two free, nothing to loose.



Clay

 

[Oil Man]

I'd like to clear up the TBN issue. TBN is usually done on diesel engines. The change # for diesels is about 1/2 the original amount if you started with a TBN of 10 then you would watch it if it got to about 5. Another way that companies look at it is that in diesels if your TBN gets to 4 or 5 then it's time to change it.



In Gas engines the TBN can go down as far as 2 and then it's time to change it.



In a post above it was said that to chang it if it were to get to a TBN of 7. That is still very good TBN and not time to change it.



Sincerely,

Kevin Dinwiddie CLS

 

[illflem]

Clay, did you find out how much pdma charges after the free ones?

 

[JMorrow]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of the information you gave me. My next oil change I will have to choose one of the ones mentioned and go for it.



Thanks again John

 

[vinconco]

I would like to know to know what they charge too. Just got 2 free samples... . I asked for containers and they sent them. No mention of prices yet in the mailer.