Engine Oil Testing

[XterraGT]

So I may be looking to send out some oil and have it tested it here, and it will probably be before ECXC incase I need to skip that to try and make WENT.... But none the less, I know you can send your oil out to be tested, AMSOIL recommends it so you can run their oil as long as the filter is changed and yada yada yada. That being said anyone here have a specific outfit to use or experience doing such. I'm not interested in the viscosity breakdown of my Max Life, more what may or may not be in it. But the breakdown stuff is a bonus as getting the max out of my oil will be something I will look at when I have a VG that I know is otherwise healthy.

TJ

EDIT:
Anyone ever try Blackstone Labs? Seems pretty straight forward, and the FAQ has a sense of humor, not that that is important...

 

[Muadeeb]

I use Blackstone every oil change. $25 to run a sample, another $10 for an additive test to see if you can extend your changes. With an engine that's 13 years old and over 200K on it, it's worth it to me.

Here's one from October of '12: http://photos.oradat.com/oilreports.pdf
I've had some increased iron wear since then, but it's still running.

 

[P&P]

I think black stone is typically the go to lab that works with the general public for these types if tests.


Www.engineeringpp.com

 

[Prime]

That's pretty cool. I didn't know such a service existed.

 

[P&P]

I'm just going to leave this right here.

Www.bobistheoilguy.com


Www.engineeringpp.com

 

[obi_krash]

That's pretty cool. I didn't know such a service existed.

This right here, I mean I have just been running a synthetic and changing it every like 8-10k depending on how much wheeling I did. Never thought to get it tested or anything, but I am under 100k (for 1 more oil change).

 

[P&P]

This right here, I mean I have just been running a synthetic and changing it every like 8-10k depending on how much wheeling I did. Never thought to get it tested or anything, but I am under 100k (for 1 more oil change).

I am of the opinion that newer motors need more attention and they are more likely to be having bearings and rotating parts wearing in to one another.

I also have burned up oil and therefore lower end bearings on this truck doing extended OCIs. The small filter and small oil capacity let the oil get too warm/hot and breakdown more quickly than expected if you had - say - the 6.5 qt capacity of the 4.0L in the 2nd gen.

Just what I've been able to so in my testing. Full disclosure This was all on a supercharged truck that I was pounding on so YMMV.


Www.engineeringpp.com

 

[XterraGT]

Awesome well I ordered a test kit (free, at the moment). Anyone know the relative turn around time? Guess it really depends on the USPS and their (Blackstone Labs) workload... But no matter the wait it will bring the solid yes/no answers I'm looking for.

 

[Muadeeb]

Transit time to the labs for you, then upwards of a week. Like you said, it depends on the US Mail and their workload. I've had results back within 4 days once; I think the last one was almost 2 weeks.

 

[Airmapper]

I use Blackstone every change, they are very prompt at getting the report done and I like the down to earth, human written notes. I worked my way up to 8000mi changes, but lead has jumped up a bit and if this next report doesn't come back clean I may go back to about 6000.

Here is one of my reports so you can see the layout:

 

[XterraGT]

Received my test kit on Monday the 5th, I pulled the sample on the 6th, UPS'd it on the 7th. They showed an estimated delivery date of the 9th. On the next business day (Mon.) the 12th I received my E-Mail with my lab results. So great turn around times. Hopefully this thread has some good info for anyone interested. I know I will use them in the future whether I'm looking at extended oil changes or not. I also received in the mail a paper copy of the results and 2 more free test kits that they sent.

My Xterra's Oil Test:

 

[metzican]

Do you guys buy your kits from blackstone or amsoil or where?

 

[XterraGT]

Do you guys buy your kits from blackstone or amsoil or where?

Blackstone sends you the kit for free and then you pay when you send it in or online and they charge the card only when they process your oil.