proper way to use hand pump for oil sampling...

[TomGolden]

Howdy all,



I used one of the small Amsoil hand held oil sampling pumps last night for the first time. I got the sample bottle about half full of oil, then the suction created by the pump sucked the bottle flat, and I never could get any more oil in it. I followed their directions, took the sample from the dip stick tube.



Anyone else have some better suggestions? I know others have used this method...



Thanks,

Tom

 

[illflem]

Tom, I've always felt that dipstick samples can get polluted by sludge in the dipstick tube getting scraped into the sample tube while you are inserting the tube so have avoided that method. You can't really tell if it has happened. Remember we're talking ppms here, it doesn't take much. Here's my system:

All from the hardware store. Buy an 1/8" NPT X 1/4" compression valve (these are common for ice makers and swamp coolers), a 1/8"X3" nipple and 3' of 1/4"plastic tubing, will cost you less than $10. With the engine off but warmed up connect this setup to the plugged 1/8" port on top of your oil filter housing, hand tight no teflon tape. Start the engine, open the valve and run oil though the tubing into your oil fill spout to flush it out for awhile. You can now take a sample with great control with the sample being the only loss of oil. Shut down the engine, open the 1/8 valve to let oil in the tubing drain back then remove it and replace the plug. If you like leave the valve in place and just remove the tubing.

 

[TomGolden]

Thanks for the suggestion Bill. I'll check my TrueValue or Ace stores this weekend for the parts. Sounds like a nice, easy, simple method



Tom

 

[amsoilman]

Tom,

I've used the "pump" method in the dip stick tube for several years on customers vehicles, including the Dodge/Cummins. I have never felt there was any debri in the tube giving me erronious readings. However, my method of modifing the "oil fill" cap for the return of oil from a "by-pass" system is about 0 percent in any posibility of getting a contaminated oil sample. Not all my customers have the by-pass, so the oil dip stick method is used on those.



As far as the sample bottle colapsing, try pulling the plastic tube up just a tad to assure the end of the tube is not on the bottom of the oil pan. I also cut the end of the plastic tube on an angle to help prevent that.



Wayne

amsoilman