Which lab for oil analysis?

tulsa · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:49 am

I would like to know which lab I should use to test my used motor oil.
Lewis

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:53 am

I've used Blackstone for years...

05crd · **Joined:** Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:54 pm **Posts:** 47

Second the Blackstone.

tulsa · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:33 pm

Is the basic analysis ok?

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:46 am

tulsa wrote:

Is the basic analysis ok?

that's all I've ever gotten.

Sidewinder · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:58 am

I have always use the basic analysis from Blackstone. I have been using them for years for my Ford and GMC. I will start up a round for the Jeep once I get to my first oil change on my new to me Jeep.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:27 pm

I went to the Blackstone website and started reading...

What in the report indicates its time to change your oil?

How do you order the test? Do you order individually, or do they send them
to you on a schedule?

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:40 pm

flash7210 wrote:

I went to the Blackstone website and started reading...

What in the report indicates its time to change your oil?

How do you order the test? Do you order individually, or do they send them
to you on a schedule?

They usually tell your report if you could run the oil longer or not.

You request a free oil sample kit which consists of 4 plastic bottles with bottles and the order form. usually shows up in a week or two.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:45 am

I just got my UOA back from Blackstone and I'm happy with it. They told me my engine wear is below average and recommended I go to 7,000 mile oil change intervals. the only element I was high on is silicon; that's probably because I work in a very dusty environment. I guess it's time to break down and get an Amsoil air filter.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:19 am

linewarbr wrote:

I just got my UOA back from Blackstone and I'm happy with it. They told me my engine wear is below average and recommended I go to 7,000 mile oil change intervals. the only element I was high on is silicon; that's probably because I work in a very dusty environment. I guess it's time to break down and get an Amsoil air filter.

I've had basically the same feedback from them on all my analysis on my CRD.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:23 pm

I was reading on their website about silicon showing up in the UOA, and they said it is not necessarily from dirt, the spectrometer doesn't differentiate between dirt silicon and silicon from seals and gaskets. Maybe our valve covers or some other seal is silicon?

And I like the takedown avatar, Stabler. That's classic, even though it slows down loading the page. . .

What oil change interval/ filter do you go with?

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:45 pm

linewarbr wrote:

I was reading on their website about silicon showing up in the UOA, and they said it is not necessarily from dirt, the spectrometer doesn't differentiate between dirt silicon and silicon from seals and gaskets. Maybe our valve covers or some other seal is silicon?

And I like the takedown avatar, Stabler. That's classic, even though it slows down loading the page. . .

What oil change interval/ filter do you go with?

When my silicon is high they usually recommend changing the air filter, which I now change about every 10k.
I usually change my oil between 6500 - 7000. Just depends on my schedule and how much towing I do.

Does my avatar slow down the page? Let me know if others experience it too. I haven't noticed it.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:48 pm

RTStabler51 wrote:

linewarbr wrote:

I was reading on their website about silicon showing up in the UOA, and they said it is not necessarily from dirt, the spectrometer doesn't differentiate between dirt silicon and silicon from seals and gaskets. Maybe our valve covers or some other seal is silicon?

And I like the takedown avatar, Stabler. That's classic, even though it slows down loading the page. . .

What oil change interval/ filter do you go with?

When my silicon is high they usually recommend changing the air filter, which I now change about every 10k.
I usually change my oil between 6500 - 7000. Just depends on my schedule and how much towing I do.

Does my avatar slow down the page? Let me know if others experience it too. I haven't noticed it.

What's with the new avatar? Is one of those people you?

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:37 pm

As they suggested, dirt doesn't have to be the sole source of the silicon and could be from silicones. As you guys suggested, many of the gaskets could contain silicones. The rubbery material around the air filter is very likely a silicone. The CAC hoses are silicone lined. When silicones are made, there is generally a small amount of cyclic silicone molecules. It's just a byproduct of the reaction and these aren't necessarily convenient to remove. Sometimes they are left behind or added in order to aid the rheology of the silicone rubber before it's molded into the final part. Over time, these can bleed from the silicone rubbers and this could be what is showing up in the oil analysis...as the combustion product.

...look at the ingredient list of your deoderant...you will likely see something listed like "dimethicone" or "cyclosiloxane" among the first ingredients...they're added to prevent hair and skin from ripped away from ones underarm. It's the same stuff that could be coming out of the gaskets over time.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:31 am

It's great having our very own chemist around! kdlewis1975, I find your posts interesting.

- Chris

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:51 am

CATCRD wrote:

What's with the new avatar? Is one of those people you?

No, just a badass knock out (Hendo v Bisbing) from UFC100

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:07 pm

chrispitude wrote:

It's great having our very own chemist around! kdlewis1975, I find your posts interesting.

- Chris

x2 to the 10th power. . .

sentry · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:13 pm

RTStabler51 wrote:

CATCRD wrote:

What's with the new avatar? Is one of those people you?

No, just a badass knock out (Hendo v Bisbing) from UFC100

I couldn't watch UFC 100 and had read about Henderson's severe knockout. I couldn't find a clip anywhere to watch so your avatar is the only clip I've seen of it. I was VERY pleased to see Dan KO the Brit with AUTHORITY! Thanks for the avatar.

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:48 pm

linewarbr wrote:

chrispitude wrote:

It's great having our very own chemist around! kdlewis1975, I find your posts interesting.

- Chris

x2 to the 10th power. . .

...and I certainly appreciate the fact that there a good number of engineers and mechanics (or people extremely mechanically inclined) that frequent this forum. I learn a lot from them.

My employer is the world's largest silicone/silicon manufacturer, so I have a bit of firsthand knowledge in that area. Chemistry itself is sometimes likened to a foreign language, and it never hurts to have an interpreter. Like anything else, some concepts are complicated and there are misconceptions perpetuated, and I'm just trying to give things context and provide knowledge in general.

Which lab for oil analysis?

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