Oil analysis
 

I've noticed several of you be quite adament about a 5000 mile oil change, is this a personal opinion or has it been backed up with an oil analysis? I wouldn't know where to start looking for an oil analysis lab, especially living out here in the sticks of northern Nevada.

I remember reading about a system called FS2500 that was based on OA and its users were able to go 10K plus based on the OA results they were getting back. Specifically, with this filtration system in place, soot levels were extremely low when the oil was tested.

Any rate, tested or opinion?

If you use Amsoil they do testing on it, Iv'e run that oil 25k and it still tested good but I changed it anyway, I also run a bypass filter by amsoil that filters down to less than 1 micron. As far as finding a test facility check with any big construction company with big equipment, they test regularly to see what kind of shape there motors are in.

Next time you head up to Reno stop in Fernly. The SPEEDCO does oil analysis.

I too have run Amsoil up near 15k miles... for the cost of that oil and the cost to get analysis done, I figured I was better off using standard rotella and just chaning it every 5k miles. Seeing all the problems some guys have with injectors and other issues, 5k miles just seems like cheap insurance to me.:c:

As far as getting OA done, Amsoil has a lab to do it, and Blackstone is the other popular one. They will send you a "kit" in the mail, you put some used oil in it and fill out some info and send it in. Simple.

We do have them. If interested just give me a shout. Blackstone is a very popular company. One problem with BS is they don't do a TBN on the standard sample, you have to pay a bit extra for it but I would get it with any test. It's worth knowing.

Heath - TBN?

Total Base Number. Measures how the oil stabilizes through use. And is what makes the oil better!

sent from my rooted Evo android 2.3.7 using tapatalk. and not a opod

Thanks!

Karl, I mainly change at 5k, because it's cheaper to do this than it is to keep sending OA in. I also keep my change intervals low because of burning WVO. If I have an issue where it makes it past a piston ring somehow, I would like to catch it ASAP.

As mentioned, total base number. The number indicates the ability of the oil to combate or neutralize acids formed from the combustion process. Diesels are harder on an oil than gassers. Todays's CJ-4 rated oils from the bottle can range from 8 to about 11. The older oils could reach numbers over 12. The higher the better. Once this number falls to about 2, it has lost it's ability neutralize and you start the groundwork for varnish and sludge formation.

Going to Speedco after work today, the mystery shall be resolved. They will either laugh at me or tell me that I am on track.

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As promised, here are the results keep in mind that I had 7700 miles on Shell Rotella 15W-40 oil:
Oxidation 3.9 (change recommended at 25)
Viscosity 14.4 (for 15W-40 12.5 - 16.3)
Fuel <2.0
TBN 7.9 (Below 3 oil is no longer servicable)
Soot 0.3 (problem level of 4)

I'd say that was $20 well spent. The technicians told me to go another 2~3k then come back.