Used Oil Analysis
 

Has anyone here ever sent a sample of used motor oil to a lab such as this one: http://www.theoillab.co.uk/

It could give very useful info if the services offered are as comprehensive as some of the American labs such as http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I can get it done for you if its a one off you want. Only really useful if you do it regularly to build up a trend.

MB

Does it provide info on viscosity to show whether your oil stays in grade as well as wear metals and contamination etc?

What format would the report come in?
The Blackstone ones seem fairly easy to follow
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/eng_balloon_report_.html
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gasol...port_expl.html

The reason I posted about this today was I saw a kit in Autoexpress on their new products page. The kit was £29.99 and included a syringe and oil container. With all the oil threads we get here I just thought it may be useful for people to know how well their choice of oil was standing up after 6/12 months or whatever change interval they were using.

Would have my doubts about a testing kit TBH. Proper tribology involves specific equipment.

Typical analysis would look like:

Date Sampled 26/03/04
Date of Receipt 06/04/04

Lab Reference CSO 0004047

Viscosity 40 C cSt 26.8
Viscosity 100 C cSt 5.17
Acidity 0.28
Water Content % <0.20
Water Content ppm 640
Colour Amber
Condition Clear
Non-mag Particles Present
Sodium ppm N.D.
Copper ppm N.D.
Lead ppm 1
Tin ppm 1
Aluminium ppm N.D.
Silver ppm N.D.
Iron ppm N.D.
Molybdenum ppm N.D.
Chromium ppm N.D.
Manganese ppm N.D.
Nickel ppm N.D.
Titanium ppm N.D.
Vanadium ppm N.D.
Silicon ppm N.D.

Again, I can do it for mine when I like, but as a one off for others if needed.

£12 per sample from a decent tribologist.

MB

I have always thought about using the Scooby oil (changed at 3000 miles) and put it in my work run about/commuter. (Citroen Xanthia 2L).
Any comments on the oil quality.? Both cars use same grade oil.
Use top quality synthetic in Scooby.
Aggs

Would be useful to know results from these tests.

The kit is just to collect the oil sample, you then post the sample to the lab.

You just need a plastic medical bottle or similar and a place to drain a bit out of.

A lot less than £30 :eek:

MB

One little note with lab testing - is different labs will get different results from the same sample. Not sure if this is due to equipment, calibration or contamination, I don't know, but I do know it does happen.