Oil sampling???

[Shovelhead]

Being a "rookie" on some of this Diesel stuff, I'm looking for info about "oil sampling" after draing old oil. Who does it? (testing), how do you do it?, what does it cost? Thanks in advance

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Ed Anderson
99 3500,QC,Auto,4. 10,Everthing 'cept leather,stock until warranty runs out.
'76 H-D FLH, '98 FLHTCUI

 

[E7mack96]

Blackstone labs - $17. 00 per sample

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 Cummins H. O. & 6 Speed, Powermax 2 and needing more power!!!!

 

[JJW_ND]

Several of us are using Cleveland Tech ... CTC. Their samples should cost around $10. Less if you buy larger quantites. Sample includes full specro, and TBN and post paid.

Here is a link to get phone #s: http://www.ctclink.com/locations.htm

They have several labs around to country. I use their Cleveland OH lab. I buy the post paid sample kits that way you grab the sample and drop it in the mail.

The kit will include a small sample bottle and a form to desribe the sample. I have always grabbed my samples from the drain plug even now that I extend drain (have to return drained off oil). The most important thing is to be consistent and keep things clean. You need several samples at a consistent interval to get a trend. All engines are different and will have diffenet values for wear metals that may or maynot reflect a problem. I grab samples every 6K and dump every 24 - 30K.

Good luck!

jjw
ND

 

[illflem]

JJW,what I've started doing for my oil tests is screwing some tubing(grease gun hose actually) with a small valve into the 1/8" port on top of the oil filter housing,engine off but warmed up. Start the truck and with a piece of tubing attached to the valve,open valve and run the oil for awhile down the fill tube to get things flushed,then take your sample. Much less mess,well mixed oil and no need to crawl underneath. Remove the valve and tubing and replace the plug when you are done,engine off.

 

[DocStressor]

That's a great idea, Bill! For some reason, you can't sample by running tubing down the dipstick pipe on the Cummins as can be done with most other engines. Does the grease gun hose connecter thread right in or did you have to change the fitting on the hose?

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

[Shovelhead]

Thanks.
Great info illflem,and others. This is why I joined, to get tips, tricks and contacts to keep my Cummins hummin'.

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Ed Anderson
99 3500,QC,Auto,4. 10,Everthing 'cept leather,stock until warranty runs out.
'76 H-D FLH, '98 FLHTCUI

 

[illflem]

Lee,standard grease gun hose is 1/8"pipe thread on both ends,same as the filter port. The grease gun hose is stiff enough that you can tighten it to the housing by just turning the opposite end,no need to work in close confines. I used a 1/8" angle valve, the outlet is barbed for 1/4"tubing,cost $4 plus 3 feet tubing @ less than a buck. After you take your sample and shut down the engine hang the hose end from the hood with the valve open and it drains back to the engine,little mess.


Another thing this system allows is easy sampling before your expected oil change,you will know if you can squeeze a few more k miles from the oil.
I never liked the idea of sampling from the dip stick,it's too hard to tell if you might be sucking up sludge from the bottom of the pan. If you have a valve on your pan drain you will also need to run at least a couple quarts out before you can take a good sample,then you have to deal with the oil or go ahead and change it. I feel that the valve on the filter housing trick will provide the easiest most representative sample you can take,some by-pass systems are set up just for this propose with a valve port,but not all of us want/need a by-pass set up.

Shovelhead,here's a link for two FREE oil analysises http://www.pdma.com/sample.htmDon't let it scare you into thinking you need to be a large industral user,they are very knowledgeable about our Cummins and happy to do the tests.




[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 03-11-2001). ]

 

[Shovelhead]

Thanks.
Great info illflem,and others. This is why I joined, to get tips, tricks and contacts to keep my Cummins hummin'.

------------------
Ed Anderson
99 3500,QC,Auto,4. 10,Everthing 'cept leather,stock until warranty runs out.
'76 H-D FLH, '98 FLHTCUI

 

[monkfarm]

Sometimes your local caterpillar dealer will allow you to bring in samples also, and they will test them in a couple of hours. (Probably varies in what they charge. I live out in the sticks, and the local John Deere dealer sells oil testing kits (which you send off) for
$14. I will try some of the other kits that were suggested for cheaper. I tryed the cummins dealer (much too expensive) and they suggested the Cat dealer.

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie SLT with customized aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags; 3. 54 gears
5 speed,6X4, truck mirrors, trailer towing, and camper pkgs.
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker; Amsoiled throughout. . .
2000 Peterbilt 379 with Cummins N14plus 500 hp
13 speed fuller, 70 inch Unibilt sleeper
American Class