Oil Sample results
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 0
From: Fulltime RVer
Originally Posted by jrciii56
You can get free oil analysis with Schaeffer and you can buy a vampire pump that will stick tube down you dipsick hole to pull the oil so that it can be collected. In other words free and little labor.
But no matter how much additional labor and cost is involved to do oil analysis, no one can claim that just changing it every 3K or 3 months isn't better for the engine, and when you do a cost comparison, you can't save more than a few % in operating cost, and that comes with a risk that if you wind up going too long between changes you can do short term damage to your engine.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 0
From: Fulltime RVer
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
For me its not so much of a cost factor, it's peace of mind knowing exactly what's going on inside my engine. The extended oil drain intervals is just a bonus. Analyze that. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Eugene,
The method you're suggesting sounds a little like:
Religiously take your blood pressure pills.
Never take your blood pressure.
This is as opposed to:
Take your blood pressure frequently, but don't take the pills unless it's elevated.
Pop
The method you're suggesting sounds a little like:
Religiously take your blood pressure pills.
Never take your blood pressure.
This is as opposed to:
Take your blood pressure frequently, but don't take the pills unless it's elevated.
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Aug 5, 2007 at 01:04 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Florence,SC
Re: www.bobistheoilguy.com.......Duralube used the same test on T.V. I run about 2 of my 15 quarts with Duralube, a little more protection but not overdone. I have 140k on my 2000 7.3 psd and change every 4k. I also use Z-max in the transfer case, trans., rear end and engine with every other oil change, BUT when I use the Z-max I DO NOT use the Duralube. If you choose to run the Z-max, buy the large kit which has the additives for all areas. It's a little confusing as to what to put where, so I called the Z-max # on the bottle and the guy got me straight as to where and how much etc. to use in all areas. I run Rotella or the motorcraft oil only. Soooo....what do you guys think???
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
From: Millbrook Alabama
Originally Posted by ernesteugene
So you're telling me it's LOGICAL to crawl under your truck to collect oil samples (how many times between actual changes?) and pay (how much?) to have them analyzed, just to save at most a couple of percent (if that much when you compare the cost of syn vs dino) on your routine driving cost, and all the while you're putting the longevity of your PSD at risk?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood, TX.
You can use an OA for several things, some being to establish OIL Change interval(by looking at the numbers-I am at 10000 OCI), As a preventative maint issue I.E. Is your air filter/intake working still(this is critical because a leaking intake can dust an engine in NO TIME Flat..
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 0
From: Fulltime RVer
Originally Posted by SpringerPop
Eugene,
The method you're suggesting sounds a little like:
Religiously take your blood pressure pills.
Never take your blood pressure.
This is as opposed to:
Take your blood pressure frequently, but don't take the pills unless it's elevated.
Pop
The method you're suggesting sounds a little like:
Religiously take your blood pressure pills.
Never take your blood pressure.
This is as opposed to:
Take your blood pressure frequently, but don't take the pills unless it's elevated.
Pop
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: sycamore, illinois
I change the oil in my truck every 5,000 miles, the oil comes out black but not black as coal though if the chips have been turned up and pulling trailers. just driving around keeping my foot out of it, the oil is only brown to slightly black but i havn't seen this since the second oil change. also everyone thinks black smoke is cool and all but it does wash down the cylinder walls causing excessive wear this is y i seldom run the smoker setting on the hypermax tuner and the amount of smoke my truck does make cleans up after the turbo kicks in
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I've said it before, I'll say it again. I do not do OAs. I do check my intake, filters etc. What would I do when I got back the results? Go back and look at what I check anyway, filter and intake setup? Lets say my OA #s begin to indicate possible ring or bearing wear. What now? Hand wringing? Stress pills?
How about I just change my oil at a max mileage interval of 4k or at the moment it no longer looks golden brown on the stick? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I have never gone wrong doing that.
Your mileage may vary, especially since I do not rack up that many miles anyway. I have even changed honey colored oil because I felt it had been in there too long what with oxidation and the byproducts of combustion and fuel etc in the oil. I have done this at 6 months when the oil has had less than 2k on it. It's just not worth it to me. Better safe than sorry.
OAs are a tool, be careful how you use it is all I want to say. Most here appear to use it properly. It's just not for me.
How about I just change my oil at a max mileage interval of 4k or at the moment it no longer looks golden brown on the stick? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I have never gone wrong doing that.
Your mileage may vary, especially since I do not rack up that many miles anyway. I have even changed honey colored oil because I felt it had been in there too long what with oxidation and the byproducts of combustion and fuel etc in the oil. I have done this at 6 months when the oil has had less than 2k on it. It's just not worth it to me. Better safe than sorry.
OAs are a tool, be careful how you use it is all I want to say. Most here appear to use it properly. It's just not for me.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 0
I agree 100% with tenn, I even have a sample kit which is going to sit on my desk forever. I think if you do the OA's you must be calm minded, because I couldnt handle seeing bad things on the OA. I was told my injectors are all going to crap out soon due to gelled fuel, and the damage from it happening 5 times and driving with fuel pressure at 10psi(this happen 3 of the times) because of gelled fuel. What happens is gonna happen anyways, something else ive learned is that mechinical things dont usally just go boom(im not talking about hipo motor running the strip), they will show signs of something getting worse and worse, like my first injector replacement, it got worse and worse and worse, thats when i knew to replace it.
The same reason I hate the doctor! I only go when I am really sick.
The same reason I hate the doctor! I only go when I am really sick.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
Well, got my oil sampled, thanks JTharvey for sending me the bottles 
Not so good news... lots of lead... Bearing wear... I am planning on changing the oil and the OG filter as well... What does everyone think about Schaeffer oil products? I was going to buy the 5w40 from Bean's diesel.
Not so good news... lots of lead... Bearing wear... I am planning on changing the oil and the OG filter as well... What does everyone think about Schaeffer oil products? I was going to buy the 5w40 from Bean's diesel.
Myself, I have been amazed at where a thread can go. As a matter of fact, I am still trying to figure out what is happening to mine since changing to Delo, getting the DP tunes, dyno, drag strip and 2300mile trip. I think the truck has started using oil. I have never had to add oil between changes but put 2 qts in this go around. Sadly, it is the same oil I put in right before you got here. It is getting changed this weekend. BTW, I am on my weekend now. Positive note, oil is still honey colored on the stick, but it is going.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Originally Posted by ernesteugene
/Snip/
But no matter how much additional labor and cost is involved to do oil analysis, no one can claim that just changing it every 3K or 3 months isn't better for the engine, and when you do a cost comparison, you can't save more than a few % in operating cost, and that comes with a risk that if you wind up going too long between changes you can do short term damage to your engine.
But no matter how much additional labor and cost is involved to do oil analysis, no one can claim that just changing it every 3K or 3 months isn't better for the engine, and when you do a cost comparison, you can't save more than a few % in operating cost, and that comes with a risk that if you wind up going too long between changes you can do short term damage to your engine.
Does your 3000 mile oil change tell you how much fuel dilution you have in your oil? Can fuel dilution be damaging?
Does your 3000 mile oil change tell you if there is small amounts of coolant in your oil? Can coolant in your oil (even a small amount) be damaging?
Does your 3000 mile oil change tell you anything about how your engine is wearing? How do you know that a 3000 mile OCI is often enough under the conditions that you operate?
Changing your oil is giving you a feeling of well being, but there's no way you can claim that every 3000 miles is better, as without oil analysis you have no data to back it up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Clux, your point is well taken and makes sense. We've gone around on this in the past and each time I learn something new. Now Kris is pulling his hair out I'm sure.
Does your 10-12k oil change and sample interval tell you that you have coolant or fuel in the oil that occurs in the first 100 miles since change, and does it do it in time? Do you figure that you are better off knowing that you have a bad injector cup or injector Oring and it may have happened 10k miles ago?
On the other hand, I have no idea I may be having a problem unless I see something obvious, but at least I am changing it more frequently. Perhaps an occasional OA would not be bad to at least check for fuel and coolant in there. As for metal wear, nothing I can do about that. I SAY AGAIN, if there's no fuel or coolant in the oil, and the filter is good, NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT EXCESSIVE METAL WEAR. Back to hand wringing, and then, perhaps a Cummins.
So I acknowledge your point, can you acknowledge mine about extended oil intervals?
Does your 10-12k oil change and sample interval tell you that you have coolant or fuel in the oil that occurs in the first 100 miles since change, and does it do it in time? Do you figure that you are better off knowing that you have a bad injector cup or injector Oring and it may have happened 10k miles ago?
On the other hand, I have no idea I may be having a problem unless I see something obvious, but at least I am changing it more frequently. Perhaps an occasional OA would not be bad to at least check for fuel and coolant in there. As for metal wear, nothing I can do about that. I SAY AGAIN, if there's no fuel or coolant in the oil, and the filter is good, NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT EXCESSIVE METAL WEAR. Back to hand wringing, and then, perhaps a Cummins.
So I acknowledge your point, can you acknowledge mine about extended oil intervals?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
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From: 21791
Cummins' have bearings too?
The point i was getting at.. was that i did NOT ask nor WANT a technical analysis of my oil analysis results, how spending the $32.50 and using a 5500 mi OCI will cost me 8.25437% more to drive my truck as opposed to changing my oil every 3000 miles and not doing an analysis. My point being that i do it because i want to, and there is no need to bring in every aspect of cost and value and use long equations to justify your point, i do an oil analysis because i wanted to, i care about my truck and like to know what's going on inside it.
The point i was getting at.. was that i did NOT ask nor WANT a technical analysis of my oil analysis results, how spending the $32.50 and using a 5500 mi OCI will cost me 8.25437% more to drive my truck as opposed to changing my oil every 3000 miles and not doing an analysis. My point being that i do it because i want to, and there is no need to bring in every aspect of cost and value and use long equations to justify your point, i do an oil analysis because i wanted to, i care about my truck and like to know what's going on inside it.
Last edited by PowerstrokeJunkie; Aug 5, 2007 at 11:28 PM.