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

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #25 –
J.D.

Call FOT and ask them what fluids they used.  Blackstone will want you to write down the type of fluids on the form that you submit with your sample.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #26 –

Quote
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?

If you would consider going to this web page in the Blue Bird Wanderlodge users group, I think you will be able to get an education on engine coolant, testing and maintenance.  Start with message #32.  The author is "Spike45". 
Engine Coolant PH & Antifreeze Recommendations - Page 4 - Wanderlodge Owners

Most diesel engines require the use of a supplemental coolant additive to retard or prevent cylinder wall cavitation pitting.  This is a serious repair problem if left untreated.  You are right to want to test your coolant.  Only the Cummins B5.9 and ISB series are immune to this problem.  All other diesel engines must have some form of chemical supplemental coolant additive to prevent this problem.  The most versatile coolant test strips are available from Fleetguard, Baldwin or Donaldson.  All three use slightly different versions of the 3-Way test strips.  The original strips were developed by Fleetguard and their supplier company.  The strips test for the glycol percent (freeze point approximately), nitrite and molybdate.  Not all coolants use molybdate as a pitting protection additive.  All precharged coolants that meet Cummins, Caterpillar or Detroit Diesel specs do use nitrite.  The test stirps can measure both additives with the results as "units per gallon" which is a measure of the protection level the coolant has for the liner pitting issue.  I do not know the part numbers for Baldwin or Donaldson but the Fleetguard test strips are available in a bottle of 50 strips, CC2602.  There are foil wrapped kits of 4 strips, CC2602A or single test strips, CC2602B.  I must caution that some of these strips have had issues with premature aging causing the nitrite pad to darken.  The bottled product has not had this problem but the drawback to that is the cost of a bottle of 50 is significantly more than the smaller foil wrapped strips.  You could go to a Cummins distributor or a truck dealer like Kenworth, International, Peterbilt, or Volvo and get them to do a strip test with their bottled test kits.  You will have the answer you need but with less hassle.

Gary Spires (W9GAS)
aka Spike45
Cummins Filtration Field Service Engineer
Coolants, Filtration, Diesel Engines
Gary Spires
Coolants, Cooling Systems, Filtration, Diesel Engines

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #27 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
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?

Woo hoo.  Just got my results via email.  No problems found.  Oil can be used for another 5,000 miles and then re-tested.  This was money very well spent.

One has to be a chemist to read that report, but they also tell you in plain English is there are any problems.  We were at Zero, the best possible rating.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #28 –
Gary, do you know what the burn only centinel kit might be priced? Would you have a diagram on the install? M11 celect plus 450HP. thanks jc
JC
1999 U320

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #29 –
I just got my Oil Analysis back from Blackstone today also. They suggested that I change the oil. I suspected that would be the case since I had not changed it since I bought the coach. Although it looked like it had fresh oil when I bought it, I have no idea of when it was last changed. Tomorrow, oil and filter change.

I didn't get the transmission analysis yet.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: First time oil analysis

Reply #30 –
Quote from: spike45 –

Quote
I have no idea what kind of antifreeze I'm running. ... It is green in color.
...
Engine is Cummins C8.3. ... How to test the coolant is still unclear. ...

...
 The most versatile coolant test strips are available from Fleetguard, Baldwin or Donaldson.  All three use slightly different versions of the 3-Way test strips.  The original strips were developed by Fleetguard and their supplier company.  The strips test for the glycol percent (freeze point approximately), nitrite and molybdate.  Not all coolants use molybdate as a pitting protection additive.  All precharged coolants that meet Cummins, Caterpillar or Detroit Diesel specs do use nitrite.  The test stirps can measure both additives with the results as "units per gallon" which is a measure of the protection level the coolant has for the liner pitting issue.      ...

Gary Spires (W9GAS)
aka Spike45
Cummins Filtration Field Service Engineer
Coolants, Filtration, Diesel Engines

I visited a nearby Rush Truck Center and bought a Baldwin four strip test kit. I did a test from the reservoir on which the high pressure cap is attached. After reviewing recommendations, I did another test from the drain petcock. Both showed 50% concentration and SCA of about 2.4.

It looks like we have a good mix. I'm not sure of the age, but the sight glass and fluids I saw below the fill cap and from the petcock were clear with a "normal" smell and feel. The engine and transmission temperatures run in normal ranges (+- 180F) all the time.

Thanks for recommendations regarding testing of fluids.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX