Oil testing advice needed.

[BuffaloGuy]

I have installed a by-pass oil filter set-up and I'd like to send in an oil sample for testing. I just want to see how it's doing after several thousand miles.

Any advice?
Ken

[slagona]

Depends on what your goals are.

Do you have a sample (or an analysis)from before the by-pass installation to compare with the after by-pass installation sample? That would be interesting to see how by-passed oil compares to regular filtration at the same mileage and conditions.

If your goal is to extend oil changes, then I would wait until your normal oil change interval and send a sample in at that time. That will tell you if (and possibly by how much) you can extend your oil change interval.

If your goal was simply to extend the life of the engine, then I would still send it in at oil change time to see how the oil performed - and you might also get some info on the engine itself (metal wear, dust or sand passing through the air filter, coolant in oil ....).

I used Blackstone Labs to test mine a few years ago for peace of mind. Rotella T pushed a little passed my normal change interval. Analysis came back with great results - they even suggested I could go an extra 1000 miles between changes if I wanted to.

--Scott

[BuffaloGuy]

Thanks. Got a phone number for them?

[Turbine Doc]

Check out Greg a vendor here sells test kits, after installing my bypass kit, recommendation was to double my 3500 oil change interval, waiting for results at 6100 mi

www.lubespecialist.com (http://www.lubespecialist.com) is his site $19 IIRC includes sample kit, test and postage

[slagona]

They have an online order form for sample kits. $20 - pay when you send it in. Just search for Blackstone Labs or use one of the Diesel Page Advertisers, like Greg's link above.

[Turbine Doc]

Got my results yesterday actually the sample was for 6395 mi, Rotella T JKs bypass kit adapted to take Baldwins, 1st time I ran a sample and change the oil was a 4000 mi test, result said I could add more interval. This time I just sampled and did not change the oil, result said oil was still good to go, I'll check again at 7500.

I sent the sample result to Shell oil to see what they might have to say about it.

[gymcarm]

When you take the sample, make sure you take it "mid stream." That is, get the oil flowing and put the sample container in the stream. When the sample container is full, remove it from the stream before stopping the flow. This way, you will not be contaminating the sample with metal from whatever valve you may have installed.

Also, if this is your first sample, you might want to send in a sample of virgin oil right from the bottle to see what it has in it before you ever start.