Oil Test

It will tell you the condition of the oil, wear materials suspended in the oil, possible contaminates in the oil (coolant, dirt etc).

If you do them every oil change, you can spot trends. Say for example you start seeing elevated levels of coolant in oil, you can start to budget and schedule downtime for a repair. Rather than be stuck out on the road at an unfamiliar shop.

Lots of companies provide oil sample services but I'm only really familiar with Caterpillar SOS, which I believe is not exclusively for CAT brand engines. The other name I hear tossed around is Blackstone but have no experience with them.

 

Blackstone labs in Ft. Wayne, Indiana... Google them. They will send you the sample bottles then once you get your oil changed have a sample taken and mail it off... Results will be emailed to you... Having my oil changed as I type this...

 

Oil analysis will tell you almost everything about your engine.
Elevated levels of chemical elements points to the problem.
Si, Na, Mg - Road dust, air filter not sealed, small amount if coolant in oil.
Iron - piston cooling nozzle, air compressor, fuel pump.
St, Al, Co(tin, aluminum, copper) main and camshaft bearings. If copper is in analysis the bearing life is close to the end.
You can have oil test in many exSpeedco loacation. If test came bad retest oil after 1-2 thousand miles in any other service. Many CAT dealers have it, Blackstone for example. You can order it by the mail and send them sample.

 

Saved me from dusting my engine. Samples read great, all of a sudden, silicon, potassium, iron, aluminum all up.
Found a loose clamp on turbo intake, was sucking in road spray in the winter.

 

Same comments as previous posters.
Search
motor oil sample testing

I use local Cat service.
I think they give better analysis than US Lube and Speedco.

And this Cat branch will call you if you have a problem that needs attention immediately.

$17.00 includes postage if I buy the kit at Freightliner dealers in Wisconsin.

Good luck

 

I must be doing it wrong. I've had my engine overhauled one's since 1997
Going on 2 million miles never had a
Oil test...

 

Speedco offers oil testing. How accurate is it? I couldn't say.

 

Not accurate at all. Use one of others like Cat, Blackstone or OPS.

 

They dont offer testing anymore.