Engine Oil Evaluation for Minimal Expense
It is best to rely on oil analysis to establish your oil change interval. Of course, on many smaller vehicles that need only 4-6 quarts of motor oil, the cost of the oil analysis can be nearly as costly as a complete oil change.
Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform a simple oil anslysis themselves, if they knew how to do it. It won't give you detailed numbers as you'd get from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is holding up.
As you read this article you'll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 DIY oil analysis tests which you can utilize to figure out how your oil is performing and whether you should be getting it out of your engine. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.
You might also want to consider learning a bit more about oils and filters in general. The following sites may prove useful for this purpose.
- No More Oil Changes - Everything you need to know about oil, but didn't know to ask
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
Performing the Test
Using just this simple layman's oil analysis test can expose a whole host of possible oil problems that might necessitate an oil change: particulate overload, glycol in the oil, build-up of condensation, fuel in the oil, oxidation products, sludge or dispersant additive failure are all possible problems that this test will find.
Make sure the oil is warm (not hot), pull your dipstick and place one drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay the paper or business card flat, but so that all but the very ends of the card is suspended. As a possible example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set the card across the top of a cup or mug of some sort.
You want to be patient and wait for the oil drop to be completely absorbed which might take awhile. Once all of the oil has dried you should be able to begin evaluating the condition of your oil.
- A colorless spot or slight yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.
- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outer ring = Severe oxidation
- Center of circle dark with outer rings = Fuel in oil,Fuel dilution
Details of this test procedure found in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21396
Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform a simple oil anslysis themselves, if they knew how to do it. It won't give you detailed numbers as you'd get from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is holding up.
As you read this article you'll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 DIY oil analysis tests which you can utilize to figure out how your oil is performing and whether you should be getting it out of your engine. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.
You might also want to consider learning a bit more about oils and filters in general. The following sites may prove useful for this purpose.
- No More Oil Changes - Everything you need to know about oil, but didn't know to ask
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
Performing the Test
Using just this simple layman's oil analysis test can expose a whole host of possible oil problems that might necessitate an oil change: particulate overload, glycol in the oil, build-up of condensation, fuel in the oil, oxidation products, sludge or dispersant additive failure are all possible problems that this test will find.
Make sure the oil is warm (not hot), pull your dipstick and place one drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay the paper or business card flat, but so that all but the very ends of the card is suspended. As a possible example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set the card across the top of a cup or mug of some sort.
You want to be patient and wait for the oil drop to be completely absorbed which might take awhile. Once all of the oil has dried you should be able to begin evaluating the condition of your oil.
- A colorless spot or slight yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.
- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outer ring = Severe oxidation
- Center of circle dark with outer rings = Fuel in oil,Fuel dilution
Details of this test procedure found in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21396
About the Author:
Interested in knowing how the other 5 oil analysis tests can be performed? Take a hop over to my BestSyntheticOil.com website to read the rest of the "Poor Man's Oil Analysis" article to determine your proper oil change intervals............
posted by X - Men @ 12:20 AM
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