Motor Oil Analysis for Free
It is generally in your best interest to rely on oil analysis to determine your oil change interval. Of course, on many passenger car vehicles that only take 4-6 quarts of oil, the cost of the oil analysis is nearly as much 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 their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don't push things too far).
In the next few paragraphs you will discover the complete details for performing one of six DIY oil analysis tests that you can use to establish the condition of your oil and whether it's ready for a change.
It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more about lubricants and filters in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- No More Oil Changes - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
Performing the Test
This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.
You want to place a drop of used oil on the surface of chromatography paper (good heavy white card stock works pretty well too) - make sure the engine/oil is WARM (not HOT). Place your white paper/card someplace where it will be suspended parallel to the ground and so that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on either side of the card. For instance, 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 coffee cup.
Wait until the oil drop is no longer moist. Use the list below to evaluate the condition of your oil based on the DRY oil spot.
- 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 outside ring = Severely oxidized oil
- 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 their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don't push things too far).
In the next few paragraphs you will discover the complete details for performing one of six DIY oil analysis tests that you can use to establish the condition of your oil and whether it's ready for a change.
It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more about lubricants and filters in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- No More Oil Changes - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
Performing the Test
This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.
You want to place a drop of used oil on the surface of chromatography paper (good heavy white card stock works pretty well too) - make sure the engine/oil is WARM (not HOT). Place your white paper/card someplace where it will be suspended parallel to the ground and so that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on either side of the card. For instance, 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 coffee cup.
Wait until the oil drop is no longer moist. Use the list below to evaluate the condition of your oil based on the DRY oil spot.
- 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 outside ring = Severely oxidized oil
- 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:
Would you like to know what the other 5 DIY oil analysis tests are and how to perform them? Simply click 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 @ 4:11 AM
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