Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Ok, this might be a dumb question

[AFoulk]

I'm planning on buying a oil sample kit from work to have my oil tested when I change oil next time and was wondering, whats the best way to take a sample? I'm guessing you wanna have it good and hot. do I just drain my oil and catch the last little bit coming out of the pan, or must I fill the bottle mid-stream? I'm just interested to see how this newer CJ-4 rotella held up in my truck and now long I can go on an oil change. Probably not to long with that stuff I'm guessing.

Also, must I tell the lab what i want it tested for (I'd like to see what the TBN looks like as well) and do they give you a print out explaining things in simple terms? I've never done this before, so i don't know what to expect.

 

[WestTN]

Mid-stream.

 

[DPrew]

You can also buy a pump kit that will draw the sample out of the dipstick tube and fill up the sample bottle for you. I have a valve on my Amsoil Bypass that I'm able to use for samples. The oil analysis I got from Schaeffer Lubricants tested for everything you can imagine and told you what trace amounts were normal or abnormal on a numbered scale. I would assume all oil tests are extremely similar.

 

[Ncostello]

I've got one here on my desk for a Dodge running CitGuard 15W-40. It was done by the local Cat heavy equipment dealership. Its pretty easy to understand. It shows the name, truck unit number, oil brand, sample date, miles etc etc etc.



Then it reads "No Contaminates Detected, Wear Metal Levels Appear Low, No Problem Suspected At This Time, Continue Sampling At Each Drain To Monitor"



Then it has a wear metal list using the Chemistry Symbols for the metals.

Al, Cu, P, Zn... 15 in total. Beware that silicon can seem high in newer engines and when new sealant is used.



Then it has a Oil Condition list for Soot, Oxidation, Nitration, Sulfur, Water, Antifreeze, and the viscocity at 100C.



There is no TBN for total base number which is important. However this is for a gas Ram 1500 running 15W-40. So maybe they omit that because of it.