Does anyone do oil analysis?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: On the prairie
Does anyone do oil analysis?
Sorry guys, my daily driver is a Dodge but I trust you to look past all of that for now. I'm changing my oil for the second time using Royal Purple(first time was at 97k and now at 104k). Advice from the NAPA guy at the time was to change the oil the first time at about the normal 3k interval(I know, I went over) and after you use it the second time you could easily put 10k on the oil with filter changes at 3-5 thousand. I was thinking about having an oil analysis done after 5k and again at 8 or 9k then basing my intervals off of the results. Is the testing worthwhile or a waste of money. If in fact I can run 10k or better on the oil that would mean changing the oil about once a year. I also planned on using RP tranny fluid once I have time to do the change. Any thoughts on testing are appreciated, although this is not an open debate on whether RP is worth the money or not. The truck is an '02 Dakota 4X4 with the 4.7L V-8. Thanks guys!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: East Tennessee
Yep, not only do the UOA's show if the viscosity is still in grade, or if your metals are still within range to keep running the oil, but also shows how much TBN is left to neutralize the oil.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
UOA gives good info so you know what shape the oil is in after X amount of miles in your driving conditions.
If I have to change the filter I change the oil. Putting on a new filter and then ruining a quart of oil by adding it to the other oil is a waste IMO. I'd rather drain the other 5qts while I'm there and give the farmer some oil to use.
I don't see spending the $$$ on RP either when there are other oils out there just as good for less money but thats your choice.
If I have to change the filter I change the oil. Putting on a new filter and then ruining a quart of oil by adding it to the other oil is a waste IMO. I'd rather drain the other 5qts while I'm there and give the farmer some oil to use.
I don't see spending the $$$ on RP either when there are other oils out there just as good for less money but thats your choice.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: arizona
Definatley get a UOA if you plan to run it that long. Royal Purple can rarely do extended OCI's because it has been known to shear too quickly with elevated wear.
It is possible for RP to go 10K, but most people that do those kind of OCI's use other oils.
Again, definately do a UOA.
Good luck!
Also, if you go with the 10K OCI, there is no need to change the filter midway. Just use good filters.
Here is a UOA of a civic that did fine on 10K, but this car is also probably pretty easy on oil.
http://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...ue#Post1344780
It is possible for RP to go 10K, but most people that do those kind of OCI's use other oils.
Again, definately do a UOA.
Good luck!
Also, if you go with the 10K OCI, there is no need to change the filter midway. Just use good filters.
Here is a UOA of a civic that did fine on 10K, but this car is also probably pretty easy on oil.
http://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...ue#Post1344780
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: West Cornwall, CT
One real value of an oil analysis is to tell if you have a problem with your engine. Based on an oil analysis of the engine in a backhoe we were able to fix a leaking head gasket before the anti-freeze destroyed the bearings.
Using the oil analysis for extended oil changes is a good idea if you have a lot of oil involved to do that change. A marine diesel with a 1000 gallon sump does not get an oil change until the analysis says that it is time.
For your '02, running a decent quality oil and doing an oil analysis once in a while when you do an oil/filter change might be the way to go.
Lou Braun
Using the oil analysis for extended oil changes is a good idea if you have a lot of oil involved to do that change. A marine diesel with a 1000 gallon sump does not get an oil change until the analysis says that it is time.
For your '02, running a decent quality oil and doing an oil analysis once in a while when you do an oil/filter change might be the way to go.
Lou Braun
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From: On the prairie
Thanks guys. I was reading Blackstone Laboratories' website and found it quite impressive how subtle things like elevated lead in the sample could indicate excessive bearing wear. I ordered one of their sample kits, I think Im going to start sampling at a routine interval (10K?) seeing as how the motor has over 100k even if not to extend my OCI. FWIW, I know I have a leak somewhere so the truck loses about 1qt every 6-7 thousand miles. Coupled with the fact that now I'm over 100k, if RP doesn't extend my OCI via good sample results, I may end up switching back to Quaker State high mileage within the next year/year and a half.
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