Oil Analysis

[drscott]

I did the "paper towel test" on a drop of oil from the crankcase because the oil level was about 1 inch above normal on the dipstick. It is a crude test I know but it looks like there could be some diesel in the crankcase. So who do you like best for doing an oil analysis (the definative test)?

[dorkweed]

I've used Blackstone Labs in the past.

[Mopar1973Man]

I've used Blackstone Labs in the past.

I tend to agree with Dorkweed... Now while your at it I would pull all 6 injectors and have them bench tested as well.

[drscott]

Thanks for the quick replies and recommendations - got the test kit ordered.

[98whitelightnin]

I have also used Blackstone Labs the last two oil changes. My oil only gets changed once a year so I will keep using them.

[drscott]

Please forgive all the questions that I am sure you have answered a hundred times but can you tell me where you send your injectors to test them?

[Wild and Free]

Quickest way is to go to your local Caterpillar dealer "If you have one locally that does oil sample analysys" and get an SOS kit from them.

Don't know why everyone always goes to Blackstone. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

There are many companies that do it. I would do some research and go with a local or a close one.

Amsoil uses a company named Oil Analyzers http://www.oaitesting.com/

MVTL which I have used through some of the companies I have worked at we ahave a lab right in Bismarck http://mvtl.com/

Most big Caterpillar dealers do it on site as well which we also have a lab right in Bismarck. I just filleed out and sent in about 30 samples last night alone to our local Cat dealer, part of my job is monitoring our mine equipment fleets oil sample info which includes filling out all the sample bottle info cards., gets very repetitive and some weeks can be overwhelming depending on how many and how big the PM's are.

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Please forgive all the questions that I am sure you have answered a hundred times but can you tell me where you send your injectors to test them?

You can send them to many places but again I would look for a local Bosch certified fuel systems rebuild and test shop locally if possible.

[98whitelightnin]

What does cat charge for a sample and do they offer tbn reports too?

[Wild and Free]

What does cat charge for a sample and do they offer tbn reports too?

TBN is a part of every companies sample tests that I have seen and IIRC Cat is around $10-15 last time I checked.

[dorkweed]

drscott,If'n you think you're making oil (via leaking injectors) I wouldn't be driving that truck around until an analysis is done to confirm it!! Just saying.Joe

[drscott]

I understand what you are saying about not driving until I find out for sure about the fuel in oil / injectors.A week ago is when I noticed the oil level high on the dipstick right after the #4 injector line broke and left me stranded. I checked the oil before the tow truck showed up the next morning and the level was about 1" high.While in the shop the dealer did their 23 point inspection and they marked "Motor Oil Checked and OK". It had to still be high when they checked it. And they drove it at least 10 miles "road testing" it. Then I drove it home about 20 miles at 70 mph on the interstate. The oil level has not gotten any higher, there is no smoke and the idle is smooth. But I can't kick that nagging feeling that maybe there is a problem lurking. At first I trusted the dealership saying it was all OK but after doing a bunch of reading on diesel forums I am not sure the dealer is a reliable source of information. Hence the reason for my flury of posts here. I will be doing the oil analysis as soon as possible.

[98whitelightnin]

The only thing I trust a dealer to do is rip me off.

[dorkweed]

The only thing I trust a dealer to do is rip me off.

What he said!!!^^^^^^:smart:

[War Eagle]

Sometimes lovingly referred to as the "stealership" and sometimes not so lovingly referred to by other unmentionable names!

[Wild and Free]

I am a very lucky one when it comes to dealerships, Mine treat me well but then again I am friends with the 2 of the 3 pickup master techs there, they know I am very anal and only go there when I have an issue I don't want to mess with, I have had no problems at all with them since my parents started buying vehicles from them in the 80's. The ones I have issues with at times are the service writers but after I line up the job I go talk directly to the techs and bypass the only problem every dealership has.

[AH64ID]

Amsoil uses a company named Oil Analyzers http://www.oaitesting.com/

That's who I use, and it is also who Cummins Rocky Mountain uses. I have used Blackstone in the past but they charge more for TBN with the standard report, which is very important to me. OAI has been good, fast, and the people on the phone are knowledgeable.

[Wild and Free]

Don't forget about Polaris labs either. http://www.polarislabs.com/why-polaris.php

[AABEAR]

Blackstone lab is very good. GOOD LUCK

[drscott]

So my reason for asking the question about oil analysis was that the dipstick on the new to me truck was reading about 3/4 inch above the full line - about 2700 miles since the last oil change if the used car dealer can be believed. I did this oil spot on a piece of paper and to me it looked like maybe fuel was present due to the very light ring at the edges of the spot. The internet said that the fuel would difuse farther than the oil and be lighter in color. So I changed the oil and filter and sent off a sample to Blackstone after being convinced by the knowledgeble folks on this forum. Here is the report from the boys at the lab:

SCOTT: You said you were mainly looking for diesel fuel, and we don't see any here. We look for fuel by

checking the flashpoint; if it falls below the "should be" level, that's an indication of fuel dilution. Your

flashpoint looks fine, although we can't say that for sure since we don't know what type of oil this is (different

types of oil may have slightly different flashpoints). Still, the flashpoint would have to be much lower to show

a harmful level, no matter the oil type. Wear metals are nice and low, which is good (averages are based on

a longer ~6,700-mile oil run). Nice engine!

FUEL % <0.5

Antifeeze % 0.0

Water % 0.0

There was a lot more in the report but not relevant to the fuel issue. I guess they just overfilled the oil last time they changed it - probably did not let all the old oil drain out. So lesson learned about listening to the cheapos on the internet when there is a real quantitative and objective way to diagnose something.

[Wild and Free]

Figured I would share the first oil analysis for my 05 from Oil Analyzers out of Salt Lake city Utah lab. My 05 has 105K on it and had 8100 miles on this oil and I run Fleetgaurd full flow and an Amsoil Bypass filter.I did change the oil and filters this go around but as you can see by the sample I just flushed a bunch of cash down the toilet, as you can see the oil was looking quite excellent yet. From here I will begin doing a 1K sample for reference and then again at 5K and then I will resample and change oil at 10K miles but That is about all I put on this rig in a year. Heck I only had 8100 miles on it since my last change last march.I will include a sheet that shows acceptable limits as well.