First time oil analysis

Topic: First time oil analysis (Read 1534 times) previous topic - next topic

First time oil analysis

July 15, 2011, 07:59:51 pm

Ordered my pump and oil analysis bottle today. No doubt it will come with instructions, but I'll ask anyway.

Should I take my sample when the engine is hot or is cold okay?

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #1 – July 15, 2011, 08:43:18 pm

George, the kit should include a long plastic hose that is plenty long to reach down into the engine throught the dip stick tube or the oil fill tube. You want the engine oil warmed up not hot, to get the oil moving to get all the benefit of a good sample. First when you inset the tube from the pump & bottle, I always blow on the tube to make an attempt to remove any loose stuff from inserting the tube down into the oil. Also you can detect when you have the end into the oil.
Very simple once you have done it.
Cheers

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #2 – July 15, 2011, 09:04:51 pm

George, I just took my first sample two days ago and sent it in yesterday. The instructions say that you need to drive the vehicle at least 20 minutes before pulling the sample. If you just idle the engine or pull it out the driveway, don't take the sample. If you can't take the vehicle on the road take the test cold and note on the form that it was a cold sample.

I too ordered the pump and it is slick. It is well worth the $30 and makes the whole thing a relatively clean job. I ran the 1/4" tube down the dip stick to about 3/4 the length of the tubing before striking oil. Every engine will be different. If you are careful about keeping the pump upright you can fill the bottle to the 3/4 point without getting any oil on the pump itself. You then unscrew the knurled knob on the top and carefully pull the tube out of the pump. You will readily see how this is done when you receive the pump. You then carefully unscrew the sample bottle and attach another one I have designated as a storage bottle. Leaving a storage bottle attached to the pump will keep the pump clean while in storage and allow me to use the pump to clean the tubing. I then pulled the tubing out of dip stick tube while wiping the outside off with paper towels. I took the tubing to the diesel tank and sucked diesel fuel through it to clean it. I poured the diesel I had collected in the bottle back into the diesel tank and wiped down the tubing, storage sample bottle and the pump and put them in a 1 gallon zip lock bag for storage.

Actually I did the same sequence to the Transmission fluid through the dip stick before storing the equipment for the next time.

The whole operation took about 15 minutes for my first time.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #3 – July 15, 2011, 09:27:44 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – July 15, 2011, 09:04:51 pm

George, I just took my first sample two days ago and sent it in yesterday. The instructions say that you need to drive the vehicle at least 20 minutes before pulling the sample. If you just idle the engine or pull it out the driveway, don't take the sample. If you can't take the vehicle on the road take the test cold and note on the form that it was a cold sample.

I too ordered the pump and it is slick. It is well worth the $30 and makes the whole thing a relatively clean job. I ran the 1/4" tube down the dip stick to about 3/4 the length of the tubing before striking oil. Every engine will be different. If you are careful about keeping the pump upright you can fill the bottle to the 3/4 point without getting any oil on the pump itself. You then unscrew the knurled knob on the top and carefully pull the tube out of the pump. You will readily see how this is done when you receive the pump. You then carefully unscrew the sample bottle and attach another one I have designated as a storage bottle. Leaving a storage bottle attached to the pump will keep the pump clean while in storage and allow me to use the pump to clean the tubing. I then pulled the tubing out of dip stick tube while wiping the outside off with paper towels. I took the tubing to the diesel tank and sucked diesel fuel through it to clean it. I poured the diesel I had collected in the bottle back into the diesel tank and wiped down the tubing, storage sample bottle and the pump and put them in a 1 gallon zip lock bag for storage.

Actually I did the same sequence to the Transmission fluid through the dip stick before storing the equipment for the next time.

The whole operation took about 15 minutes for my first time.

Well thought out, explained procedure. Sure you don't work for them Kent?

Please post results and time frame!

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #4 – July 15, 2011, 10:20:27 pm

Which lab? I have bottles from Blackstone, but didn't see anything about a pump. Could I use a long, clean, clear tube and get a sample by CAREFULLY sucking on the tube? I would not be starting a siphon, but just getting enough fluid in the tube to fill the sample bottle.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #5 – July 15, 2011, 10:35:00 pm

It was Blackstone. I too didn't see the pump when I ordered my sample bottles. I tried the clear tube but it was a mess so I decided that since I plan do this analysis on a regular basis for a number of years I should get the pump. It was worth it.

Just call them and tell them you want the pump. I got mine in three days from Indiana as I recall and Blanchard doesn't get fast mail.

Oh! and I don't work for them. But I have written a number of technical and Architectural/Engineering manuals.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #6 – July 15, 2011, 10:35:15 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – July 15, 2011, 10:20:27 pm

Which lab? I have bottles from Blackstone, but didn't see anything about a pump. Could I use a long, clean, clear tube and get a sample by CAREFULLY sucking on the tube? I would not be starting a siphon, but just getting enough fluid in the tube to fill the sample bottle.

You might want to have a bottle of Scope mouthwash at hand.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #7 – July 15, 2011, 10:39:54 pm

This is what you need. Blackstone carries them under Products.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #8 – July 15, 2011, 10:43:02 pm

If you call them and ask they will get stuff out the same day or the next. If you order online it may take a week before they ship. At least that has been my experience.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #9 – July 15, 2011, 10:45:15 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – July 15, 2011, 10:35:00 pm

It was Blackstone. I too didn't see the pump when I ordered my sample bottles. I tried the clear tube but it was a mess so I decided that since I plan do this analysis on a regular basis for a number of years I should get the pump. It was worth it.
...

I found the pump on the Blackstone site. That looks WAY better than sucking on a tube or the other possible kludges.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #10 – July 22, 2011, 09:31:24 am

Here is a link to the 411 on how to take a sample. Look at top right-hand side of page. Interestingly, the sample is taken only after idling the engine for 10 minutes.

JG Lubricant Services, LLC

Re: First time oil analysis --Done and Updated Info Supplied

Reply #11 – July 23, 2011, 12:04:14 pm

If you have the M-11 450 HP engine you could have a problem. Let me explain. The dipstick tube makes a turn before it enters the crankcase. The tubing as supplied would not go past this bend. I had to make 45 degree cut on the intake end and then rotated the tubing while at the same time pushing down on the tubing and it went past the bend slicker than_________________. (you fill in the blank).

Of course, your experience may differ.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #12 – July 23, 2011, 12:50:35 pm

George, you're getting to be more of a Tinkerer every day. Ain't it fun!!!

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #13 – July 23, 2011, 01:55:33 pm

Yes it is. Even more so when planned projects go smoothly.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #14 – July 23, 2011, 02:49:05 pm

I received the pump from Blackstone today. It came with two sample containers. This looks WAY better than puckering up and sucking on a tube to get a sample.

I didn't find any mentions of coolant testing on the Blackstone web site. Recommendations?

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #15 – July 23, 2011, 06:08:00 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – July 23, 2011, 02:49:05 pm

I didn't find any mentions of coolant testing on the Blackstone web site. Recommendations?

Test strips? Cat or Cummins?

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #16 – July 23, 2011, 07:55:17 pm

On the M-11, it's easy to use the dipstick tube. Just cut the end of the sampling hose at a 45 degree angle. You may have to twist it a little if you hit an obstacle, but it'll go right in. I do it all the time(every 20K miles on my Centinel system.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #17 – July 23, 2011, 08:04:58 pm

You have to change oil with Centinel?

best, paul

Quote

On the M-11, it's easy to use the dipstick tube. Just cut the end of the sampling hose at a 45 degree angle. You may have to twist it a little if you hit an obstacle, but it'll go right in. I do it all the time(every 20K miles on my Centinel system.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #18 – July 24, 2011, 03:51:07 pm

Yes, even with Centinel you have to change the oil-every 300,000 miles. Oil filter changes at 75,000. Oil analysis every 37,500. I'm more conservative, and do any analysis every 20K.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #19 – July 24, 2011, 04:48:57 pm

What might be the average price for the Centinel system and what coaches is it applicable. thanks jc

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #20 – July 24, 2011, 07:15:27 pm

Thanks!
It appears Centinel might pay for itself. Any idea of the payback time or miles/number of conventional oil changes averted?

best, paul

Coolant testing

Reply #21 – July 25, 2011, 12:58:25 am

Quote from: PatC – July 23, 2011, 06:08:00 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – July 23, 2011, 02:49:05 pm
I didn't find any mentions of coolant testing on the Blackstone web site. Recommendations?
Test strips? Cat or Cummins?

But what about J.D.'question about coolant testing? I have a Cummins 5.9 and don't have the worries that others have with this new fangled coolant and how to test it, and am not sure what exactly to tell him. Does he have to mess with test strips or what?

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #22 – July 25, 2011, 06:37:08 am

Paul,

You can search the archives for Centinel and read my experience. I think it cost about $1,400 5 years ago. I didn't install it for payback but rather to eliminate the hassle of annual oil changes. It can't pay if you do your own oil changes, since you use about the same amount of oil. You can install Centinel on any engine up to the jump in emission controls-2007 I think.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #23 – July 25, 2011, 06:38:44 am

Pat,

Tell your friend to get the proper test strips from Cummins for the type of antifreeze he's running.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #24 – July 25, 2011, 11:20:01 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – July 25, 2011, 06:38:44 am

Pat,

Tell your friend to get the proper test strips from Cummins for the type of antifreeze he's running.

I have no idea what kind of antifreeze I'm running. We bought the coach in April, 2010, took it to MOT and requested, "Change all the fluids and filters." It has whatever antifreeze they would have installed for a newbie that didn't specify a particular product. It is green in color.

We had service an January, 2011, at FOT. They changed oil and appropriate filters. They did install a new Cummins coolant filter.

Engine is Cummins C8.3. We drive the coach almost every month, but don't put a lot of miles on it. I plan to submit engine and transmission oil samples to Blackstone Labs for testing in order to make appropriate decisions on changes. How to test the coolant is still unclear. I infer that I should get a test kit for whatever would be a "standard" coolant for the Cummins mechanical engine. Do those plans for fluid changes seem appropriate?

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