Oil Sample Questions

[Turbo Kidd]

I now have 98,000 miles on my truck..... and I want to do an oil sample / analysis. I have been running Amsoil since I hit about 20,000 miles on my truck. I do oil changes every 10,000 miles no matter what. I have 8,000 miles on this oil change now, but I would like to take a sample. How is the best way to get a sample without doing an oil change? Can I take my filter off, slap a new one on and use that oil? Should c try to crack open the drain plug and grab it there? Suggestions welcomed!



Thanks

 

[raksasa]

Thinking long term here... buy a Fumoto quick change valve to replace the factory plug. I actually installed mine in between oil changes by unscrewing the factory plug with my left hand and holding it tight to the oil pan and then doing a quick swap with the fumoto valve that I had in my right hand. I lost about a pint of oil during the swap and just topped it off. After you have done that you can just flip the valve open to fill your sample bottle or drain your oil. One of the better accessories I have purchased (from Genos).

'FINGER TOUCH' OIL DRAIN VALVE - 18MM ('02-'08 DODGE)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

They can be purchases with or without a nipple for attaching a hose.

If you buy one, keep some Q-tips handy for the times you open the valve. It retains a small amount of oil in the drain port that will drip on your floor if you don't give it a quick swab.

 

[JH8128]

Thinking long term here... buy a Fumoto quick change valve to replace the factory plug. I actually installed mine in between oil changes by unscrewing the factory plug with my left hand and holding it tight to the oil pan and then doing a quick swap with the fumoto valve that I had in my right hand. I lost about a pint of oil during the swap and just topped it off. After you have done that you can just flip the valve open to fill your sample bottle or drain your oil. One of the better accessories I have purchased (from Genos).



'FINGER TOUCH' OIL DRAIN VALVE - 18MM ('02-'08 DODGE)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage



They can be purchases with or without a nipple for attaching a hose.



If you buy one, keep some Q-tips handy for the times you open the valve. It retains a small amount of oil in the drain port that will drip on your floor if you don't give it a quick swab.

The problem with that is you get the oil from the bottom of the oil pan. Amsoil makes a oil sampling kit that you stick down the dip stick tube. I personally would wait until you decide to change you oil then sample it in mid stream. That will give you the most accurate readings. If you spend the money for the sample you want it to read right.

 

[amsoilman]

Get the Amsoil "Suction" pump. It is less than $30. 00 and comes with enough tubing for several oil analysis. The sampling bottle screws directly on the pump, and the tubing is placed in the Dip Stick hole so the oil can then be "sucked" in to the bottle. The "Stock" # G-1206.



One thing that you should always do is take your oil sample from the same place each and every time you do an oil analysis.



wayne

 

[raksasa]

Just so there is no misunderstanding here... I have no connection, financial or otherwise, to Geno's Garage or the Fumoto Valve company.

If you don't want pan oil, drain a known quantity - say a gallon - shut the valve and then position your sample bottle, reopen and fill.

 

[JH8128]

Get the Amsoil "Suction" pump. It is less than $30. 00 and comes with enough tubing for several oil analysis. The sampling bottle screws directly on the pump, and the tubing is placed in the Dip Stick hole so the oil can then be "sucked" in to the bottle. The "Stock" # G-1206.



One thing that you should always do is take your oil sample from the same place each and every time you do an oil analysis.



wayne

So if you take an oil sample from mid stream oil drain and then you take a sample through the dip stick, they will read differently? I can see if you took it from the first part of the oil drain because of the settling of deposits. But really if I check through the dip stick in between oil changes and then change and take a sample in mid stream it is going to be off. Does not make sense to me.

 

[amsoilman]

So if you take an oil sample from mid stream oil drain and then you take a sample through the dip stick, they will read differently? I can see if you took it from the first part of the oil drain because of the settling of deposits. But really if I check through the dip stick in between oil changes and then change and take a sample in mid stream it is going to be off. Does not make sense to me.

What I am trying to say, is always take your sample from the same place!



If you take the sample from "mid-stream" during an oil change, then do it the same each and every time you do an analysis on your oil. When you take samples from the drain plug, there is always a posibility to get contaminants in the oil sample, and there is also another factor too; Oils should be at the operating temperatures when a sample is drawn, and that can cause some serious burns.



Wayne

 

[JDiepstra]

I suck mine out through the dipstick tube, as mentioned before. That way I can do it between changes.



You could do the drain plug valve thing between changes too, you would just have to dump out a bunch first to make sure you aren't getting the bottom of the barrel. Of course, you would have to use more "make-up" oil as well.



Don't try to just take the drain plug out and get some unless you are prepared for a big mess! I'd be laying down large pieces of cardboard or something!