Where do I take an oil sample for a UOA and how much oil is needed?

 

Check out auto parts stores,auto dealers, implement dealers they should be able to help you out. You dont need much oil. A small sample bottle comes with a kit. Good Luck

 

So this is something I'm doing myself with a kit I can purchase? There I go thinking again. I thought I had to provide a sample to a place that does these and then they provide some kind of report on your oil.

 

This is the place to get your bottles and analysis:
http://www.blackstone-labs. com/

 

Thanks, I just requested a sample kit.

 

Are you using a kit that you buy at one of the places you mentioned? If so, would describe the process you go through to get a UOA.

Thanks.

 

I use blackstone, very pleased with their service,

 

You want to drive the truck a bit to get the oil to normal operating temperature. When you drain the oil get the sample about mid way through the drain. You don't want oil from the first or last part of the drain. When you order the Blackstone kit, if you ask for the "Dyson Analysis" kit #46 you will get the Blackstone analysis, including TBN, and Terry Dyson will give an assessment of the anaylsis. It costs a little more, $35 total, but I think it's worth it having a professional evaluation of the oil.

 

thanks i have been wondering the same thing myself. i just ordered a kit too. thanks ryan

 

When I requested the kit, they told me the analysis cost $20. What am I getting for $20?

 

Basic analysis. TBN is extra. I got the Dyson kit. IMO it was worth the extra cost to have someone explain what it all means.

 

I use Blackstone as well but don't need the extra cost of having someone else tell me what all that stuff means. I deal with aircraft oil analysis everyday and as long as you know what engine parts are made of what material you can tell all by yourself what is going on in that wonderful 7.3. Just my 2 cents.

 

Not everybody is fortunate enough to have your expertise.

 

I iunderstand that. I guess what I was trying to get out there was that once you know what each value stands for then you don't need to spend the extra money to have someone else tellyou what's going on. That means more money for MODs

 

When you get your Blackstone report they give you the averages for each item for a PSD with XXX many miles etc. They even suggest longer oil change cycles, potential wear areas, etc. Here is another sheet they provide:

Understanding Blackstone Laboratories' Oil ReportFor Gasoline / Diesel Engines

Averages: The universal averages column is the average of all the samples we have analyzed for the particular equipment make and model. The unit/location averages column is your average wear for that particular type of equipment. They are both running averages and change with the number of samples we analyze.Elements: Elements are quantified in the oil at part per million levels (PPM). This list shows the most common sources of the elements in a gasoline or diesel engine oil. ·
Aluminum: Pistons, bearings, cases (heads & blocks). ·
Chromium: Rings, a trace element in steel. ·
Iron: Cylinders, rotating shafts, the valve train, and any steel part sharing the oil. ·
Copper: Brass or bronze parts, copper bushings, bearings, oil coolers, also an additive in some gasoline engine oils. ·
Lead: Bearings. ·
Tin: Bearings, bronze parts, piston coatings. ·
Molybdenum: Anti-wear additive, some types of rings.
Nickel: Trace element in steel.
Manganese: Trace element, additive in gasoline.
Silver: Trace element.
Titanium: Trace element.
Potassium: Antifreeze inhibitor, additive in some oil types.
Boron: Detergent/dispersant additive, antifreeze inhibitors.
Silicon: Airborne dirt, sealers, gaskets, antifreeze inhibitors.
Sodium: Antifreeze inhibitors, additive in some gasoline engine oils.
Calcium: Detergent/dispersant additive.
Magnesium: Detergent/dispersant additive.
Phosphorus: Anti-wear additive.
Zinc: Anti-wear additive.
Barium: Detergent/dispersant additive. Physical properties:

Viscosity, flashpoint, % fuel and antifreeze,% water and insolubles are all measured in gasoline and diesel engine oils. If fuel is present in an oil, the viscosity and flashpoint will often be lower than what was stated in the A Values. Insolubles are solid material that is centrifuged out of the oil. They are typically free carbon from the oxidation of the oil itself, along with blow-by past the rings.