Oil Analysis

[Yipper]

Anyone had an oil analysis done on their engine oil?

Check the levels of sodium, potassium, soot contamination, etc.

Company? Cost? Time to get results back? Worth the effort? Anything else worth thinking about?

http://www.theoillab.co.uk/product-category/oil-te...

[andrew]

yes

[PompeyReece]

Yipper said:

Anyone had an oil analysis done on their engine oil?

Check the levels of sodium, potassium, soot contamination, etc.

Company? Cost? Time to get results back? Worth the effort? Anything else worth thinking about?

http://www.theoillab.co.uk/product-category/oil-te...

I had it done as part of an RAC PPI. I wouldn't get it done for a car I've owned, only if purchasing one.

[voicey]

I send off oil for analysis from every car I service, as well as doing a couple of other checks to the oil in house. I saved an engine in a Stradale last year from catastrophic failure after one of the shells started to disintegrate.

We have a contract with one of the main tribology labs in the UK. We charge £25 plus VAT.

[Yipper]

Top stuff.

Thanks for the inputs, all. Confirms some thoughts and adds some new stuff.

Seems to be a much more popular practice in the US.

[liner33]

Its been something I have been thinking about for a while and been meaning to ask

Just spoke to the oil lab and getting a sample tested from my Jag.

[gtsralph]

I used Oillabs service recently out of curiosity having done 20k miles with a new modified engine and was equally happy and reassured by the results which came back within a week.

The only issue is their shipping packaging instructions are not consistent with Post Office requirements for oil products.

[gtsralph]

I used Oillabs service recently out of curiosity having done 20k miles with a new modified engine and was equally happy and reassured by the results which came back within a week.

[GG33]

The main purpose of oil analysis is to detect levels of various metals in the oil (filter). Detecting wear on the various moving parts. Only really becomes meaningful after 2 or more have been carried out thereby allowing indications of increasing levels of wear. The problem with a single reading can be 'not knowing' what is normal. I guess depending on which lab you use, they may be able to estimate. This is used by many piston engine aircraft owners as the engines start to get close to overhaul time. However, If you own a Porsche engine and are worried about bore wear, it would give a possible indication due to high levels of nikasil etc

GG