Engine-oil analysis

[mointainwalker]

Hi

I would be interested if anybody has sent off a sample of their engine-oil for analysis and what they thought of the process/results.

My Vectra 1.8 petrol has done 120 000 miles, seemingly still in very good engine condition, and I was thinking about sending a sample, just from curiosity.

 

[Avocet]

Hi

I would be interested if anybody has sent off a sample of their engine-oil for analysis and what they thought of the process/results.

My Vectra 1.8 petrol has done 120 000 miles, seemingly still in very good engine condition, and I was thinking about sending a sample, just from curiosity.

No, I haven't. It generally costs as least as much as an oil change. It's routinely done in ships though. Interestingly, Delco did develop an integrated oil level and quality sensor, some years ago, but that went very quiet... Almost like neither the oil companies nor the manufacturers, nor the dealers, nor the independent garage trade, thought it was a good idea...

 

[carmanmemoranda]

My question would be for what purpose, versus cost.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I would be interested if anybody has sent off a sample of their engine-oil for analysis and what they thought of the process/results.

Rather pointless, for a relatively a small/inexpensive engine/vehicle. On much bigger, more expensive engines, it is worthwhile.

 

[Old Salt]

Wheeler Dealers or another car rebuild programme used it I believe. It will tell you if there are signs of bearing or crankshaft wear etc. But with your mileage that is probably a given anyway. Apparently it can be very informative.

The RN monitors gas turbine wear by analysing debris picked up on magnetic chip detectors which are located in the return oilways. These would identify which parts of the engine may be susceptible to accelerated wear. Engines were changed based on an hours run schedule though rather than normal wear provided the chip detectors were not indicating potential issues.

 

[cdbe]

Seen it on car sos. I presume it needs some interpretation - might say it's full of crankshaft metal, but you might have one of those bulletproof engines from the cavalier that will still run another 100k miles with no maintenance - makes you wonder where it all went wrong.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Won't such a report just be a bunch of analysis and figures - meaning sweet FA to the layman?

 

[Old Salt]

Seen it on car sos. I presume it needs some interpretation - might say it's full of crankshaft metal, but you might have one of those bulletproof engines from the cavalier that will still run another 100k miles with no maintenance - makes you wonder where it all went wrong.

Bean counters in charge rather than Engineers