With the cost of an oil analysis at about $20, why not just change the oil??

[Dan_69GTX]

With the cost of an oil analysis at about $20, why not just change the oil since the cost of oil and filter is about the same (for non synthetic)?



What other advatange will I gain if I do an analysis? Is it worth it and how often?



Thanks!

Dan

 

[Pit Bull]

No matter how often you change your oil it will tell you if anything is going wrong inside your engine. This is important if you are your own warranty station or you are out of warranty. I just change oil every 5K miles until I get close to 100K miles. Then I will do oil analysis. Any problems before the 100K mark is DC's problem.

 

[illflem]

If you're paying $20 you're getting ripped off, I pay $9 from Cummins and have seen prices as low as $6 from others.

If you can double your oil change interval because the oil is still good to go, which most here can, it's paid for itself the first time.

Even if you do oil analysis just a few times to see how the oil is wearing you're money ahead.



Moving this to Products since it applies to all generations of CTDs

 

[E7mack96]

Re: $20 oil analysis

yeah, Blackstone is getting out of hand. I just hate the idea of switching and having to get a new trend on all my units.



I am spending >$1,000 per year just on analysis.



Who is really up to snuff, and more reasonable than Blackstone?

 

[mikel]

Re: Re: $20 oil analysis

Originally posted by E7mack96

Who is really up to snuff, and more reasonable than Blackstone?

Yeah, I'd like to switch from Blackstone too, but don't know who to go with.



Anyone with specific suggestions?



Mike

 

[illflem]

A friend of mine is using one of the by-pass filter manufacturers, Oil-Guard for his analysis.

He pays $60 in advance for ten analysis. I've seen the reports they are top notch and include TBN which Blackstone charges extra for. If they find a problem with your oil they will email and telephone to warn you. They are also excellent for answering any questions you may have on your test.



If you are concerned about your baseline getting messed up by changing labs try sending the same sample to the old and new lab and comparing any differences.



I've said this before, my feeling why a lot of folks use Blackstone is that in a web search for labs their name comes up first simply because of the order of the alphabet. I haven't seen anything that others offer that's much different except for the price.

 

[JJW_ND]

CTC has been good to me!

I can highly recomend CTC http://www.ctclink.com/



I started using them about 6 years ago. I paid $10. 50 for prepaid, includes postage and TBN samples last year. They email, fax or send results. Thy also provide an online accound with all your samples to view and analyize online.



They have a network of labs around the county.



jjw

ND

 

[Josparkz]

Cat dealer does the analysis for about $9. , including postage . Same results as Blackstone.

With Amsoil and both filters an oil change for me is about $100.

I can get my test results in 24 hours , sometimes less.

 

[Deezul1]

The analysis will let you know what shape the engine is in and if anything is going wrong and you only change oil when it needs it rather than doing it blindly because thats the way we have always done it. Using a synthetic along with analysis is cost effective and the synthetic is helpful when conditions are extreme and when turbo cool down isnt done right it protects those bearings better. At 38,000 miles on my synthetic the analysis comes back "good for continued use"

 

[jtisdale]

Just curious, but whats wrong with Monitor... through Fleetguard?

 

[amsoilman]

Here is where I get mine done.





http://www.oaitesting.com/



In most situations the real value of the data is in determining trends rather than in the accuracy of any one individual test. In general there are two different classes of analytical tests, those that measure the physical properties of the oil, and those that measure the level of contamination.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[mikel]

Re: CTC has been good to me!

Originally posted by JJW-ND

I can highly recomend CTC http://www.ctclink.com/



I started using them about 6 years ago. I paid $10. 50 for prepaid, includes postage and TBN samples last year. They email, fax or send results. Thy also provide an online accound with all your samples to view and analyize online.



They have a network of labs around the county.



jjw

ND

I don't know how you guys are getting such good deals on this, I called these people not 10 minutes ago and they said $17. 50 a kit and you have to buy a minimum of 10 kits.



I'd like to find a cheaper place than Blackstone and will move my business elsewhere if I find a source, but CTC is only saving me $2. 00 a sample while forcing me to pay upfront for 10 sample kits.



Mike

 

[Josparkz]

Re: Re: CTC has been good to me!

Originally posted by mikel

I don't know how you guys are getting such good deals on this, I called these people not 10 minutes ago and they said $17. 50 a kit and you have to buy a minimum of 10 kits.



I'd like to find a cheaper place than Blackstone and will move my business elsewhere if I find a source, but CTC is only saving me $2. 00 a sample while forcing me to pay upfront for 10 sample kits.



Mike

Try your local Cat dealer , or your local Cummins dealer.

 

[Cooker]

Keep in mind not all oil analysis are the same. Some companies may be testing the TBN or TAN of the oil. These numbers are important when trying to see how well the oil is holding up and gauge the usefull life of the oil. These test will add a few bucks to the analysis. Most companies do not run these test unless you ask, but some may run them automatically and therefore affecting their prices.