Ok, maybe this is a stupid question but I want to know. I hear of many people having there oil tested to see how the motor is doing for wear etc. My question is where do you have that done? What is needed a small bottle of the oil? Are there kits they sale for this? Is there any places you would recommend to “stay away” from in getting the oil analyzed?

I have been thinking about doing it, just not sure where and how it works. Last question, what does it usually cost?

 

Most CAT dealers will do it and you can always visit www.bobistheoilguy.com where one of the board sponsors is Blackstone. They have a free offer and will send you a kit to send back to them. Postage is about $2.50. It takes about 3 oz. of oil taken at about the middle of a hot oil drain. Blackstones free offer does not include TBN which I would suggest you pay for as it will tell you the final condition of the oil. You can also ask for the Dyson report and Terry will tell you first hand the condition and any problems that he might see. CAT dealers get $12-$20.00 depending on location and that will get you a full report.

 

I would take it that when you actually collect the oil it is when hot, as you mentioned, but also right before changing it? I go 3,000 miles between oil changes.

 

Here is my two cents worth. If you are changing at 3000 miles whether using synthetic or dino, I wouldnt worry about getting the oil analyzed. If I were going to stretch the change to say, 7500 miles (which I would not do) then maybe have it analyzed. Any oil will do you for 3000 miles in my opinion. As you can see if you have been to www.bobistheoilguy.com those guys on that board are obsessed with engine oil and they are the first to admit it.

 

I tested my oil initially because I was interested in seeing how my motor was doing. Curiosity mostly. I intended to do an analysis maybe every 15 or 30 thousand miles. Then I got hooked.

So, for about $20 plus postage it might be fun to see what's going on in your motor? I don't think it's a complete waste of time to do it only once. Plus, you can catch antifreeze contamination or some other type of problem before too much damage is done.

You may even decide to do it every year or some other interval that makes sense for you.

Blackstone's kit includes two plastic bottles, a zip lock bag, detailed description on how to take a sample, and a summary sheet to be filled out where you describe the type of oil and service.

I think Labnerd described this but to take a sample:

1. Get oil up to operating temp.
2. Start oil drain and fill small bottle after a few seconds of flow.
3. Place small plastic bottle in zip lock and place both inside larger bottle.
4. Fill out summary sheet and place in bottle.
5. Mail bottle.
6. Wait for results.

I've had good experience with Blackstone Labs

Others sample from their dipstick with hoses, etc.

 

Visit your local Chevron distributor and see if they will do an analysis through their lab. Typically it will run $10.00 and they use CTC labs for analyzing the oil.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I am still thinking about it and just may do it to see what it might tell me...