I'm familiar with what UOA (Used Oil Analysis) is. Although I've never done it myself, being in the aviation industry they are pretty common. On my aircraft there is actually a drain port for taking samples. I've yet to see that on a truck or car. So my question is to all you who get UOAs done on your trucks...

How do you acquire your samples?

Did you add a drain valve so you could easily get a sample? If so what did you add.

Do you just collect a little at oil change to see what's happening? Seems like a waste if you are changing at 5k and the UOA comes back saying you'll be good to at least 7.5k.

Just sitting here thinking about my next oil change. I'm not going to get a UOA done this time, but thinking it might be prudent to get the truck setup to do them in the future if there's anything that will make it easier.

 

Granted I have only sent off for one UOA thus far, but have plans to do at least 2 more in an effort to find the best oil for my application.

I have a Fumoto drain valve which is known for the slow draining process. I let the oil drain for about 30 seconds, shut the valve off, put the little bottle under the stream path, turn the valve on for a few seconds, close the valve, remove the bottle from the stream path and then open the valve to resume draining. I believe this is how the instructions for acquiring a sample are written as well.

There are a couple of other drain valves, one of which being an EZ Drain or something like that. I didn't select that one due to the reviews at the time. There were quite a few "it leaks" reviews. I have 3 Fumoto valves on 3 different vehicles that have been in service for quite a while and other than the slow draining, they are great to have.

I recently learned of another drain valve by "Stahlbus" while browsing in the 6.7L sub-forum.

Stahlbus link

Source credit goes to ngng: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19972417

I don't know if Stahlbus makes a valve to fit the 7.3L SD, but it is worth a look if you are in the market in my opinion.

With the Fumoto, I can change the oil on any of our vehicles while on the road with no tools, normally. Sometimes I need a 1" socket or wrench to turn loose the K&N white filter that I use.

As for UOA companies, there are quite a few out there. A lot go to Blackstone, but Lab One Inc was on my short list too.

 

Do it like the rest of us plebes and stick your tiny sample bottle into the torrent coming out of the oil pan drain hole. Watch as none of the oil goes in the bottle and splashes all over you and your garage floor instead.

Seriously though, I merely pour some out of the old oil filter and into a bottle. A vacuum evacuator to pull a small sample via the dipstick tube might be your best bet in this circumstance.

What kind of aircraft do you fly?

EDIT: Now that I think about it, the HPOP reservoir is a good source for a sample.

 

I will give another vote for the Fumoto. I have one installed and have no complaints thus far. It definitely makes draining the oil so much easier. No more fishing in the drain pan for a dropped plug!

 

Like, I said I was curious. I was thinking something like the Fumoto valve, but the slow drain was the biggest draw back. If I'm doing it at an oil change I'll probably forget it and just change every 5k. The interest for me would be being able to push change intervals. Take a sample, see what the test says, change based in results.

Sorry should have clarified that. The airplane I work on. That would be the F-15, with a brief stint on the C-130. I'm a civilian doing depot level maintenance.

Went to tech school for A&P incense back in 2003-2006 planning to get A&P license and work General Aviation. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I like of lost interest in working GA maintenance. Went to work for the AF and no longer needed the A&P so never got it. Still interested in GA from the airplane and pilot side, but have a lot of things higher on the priority list than getting a pilot license.

HPOP would be a good source wouldn't it.

 

One of the reasons for UOA is to see if it's time to change, in which case you wouldn't want to get the sample with the drain plug out. For this reason I use the pump that Blackstone sells, the tubing fits down the dipstick tube and I pull a sample. I have also pulled samples at oil change time by just sticking the sample bottle in the stream then cleaning up. Either way works. Been doing oil sampling since 1989 on half a dozen diesel vehicles and plan to keep doing them.

 

Like I said in my last reply, slow draining is my biggest negative for the Fumoto valve. It's definitely on the table though.

Here the link for the 7.3 version of the other Stahlbus valve you linked

 

I know there are plenty of reasons for doing an UOA, but that is my biggest. That's why I don't want to do it by pulling the drain plug. A drain valve would work well and be convenient for oil changes.

I might end up using the HPOP reservoir as said above or a pump like you use to extract through dipstick tube like you do.

 

Here's the pump I use, be sure to watch the video. I always warm the engine up then mark the tubing like in the video so you don't end up hitting the bottom of the pan and picking up any sludge

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/products/vacuum-pump/

 

Josht, the Fumoto is very slow to drain. I would say it takes ~10 minutes to drain a full pan of cold oil out. I use this time to check the starter bolts, driveline inspection, Racor PS120 fuel filter inspection and a general look over the undercarriage of the truck.

If I have checked all of that and the oil is still draining, I go to the bench and prepare the oil to be poured in and the filter. By this time, the oil is done draining.

It is a big of give and take with the drain valves like Fumoto. You have the convenience of changing the oil with no tools, but you have the added delay in the process.

 

The Fumoto is better than the EZ-Oil one that Riff-Raff sells. The rubber o-ring didn't seat well enough and caused seepage, and the valve itself dripped, so it got trashed and the Fumoto is fine.

 

Blackstone recommends running the engine to warm and mix everything before taking a sample, and it also makes the oil drain faster if changing it. I knock a hole in the bottom of the filter with a drift punch and open the valve and let them both drain. Then a couple pieces of clear packing tape on the filter hole to keep it from dripping on me while I wrangle it off.

 

Excellent idea which I will adopt. I punch a hole too but didn't think to plug it back up before removing the filter with a plastic bag wrapped around it which makes for a slippery hard to grip filter. Another idea, a self tapping screw then just screw it back in before removing filter. I did learn a long time ago to slightly loosen the filter while it is still dry, then make the hole in the bottom.

 

here is what I use, I bought mine from the cat dealer, the bottles from lab one screw on to it perfectly. no mess at all.

 

I have been using the UOA to extend oil change intervals. As quickly as I put miles on my truck, it sure helps spreading those $100 oil changes out. I figure I am paying 40 or so for the UOA, and even if it allows me to skip one drain interval, it is cheaper than the oil change!