Oil Testing... who do you use?

[kylebacc]

How do you guys get your oil tested? Any good/bad experiences?

 

[Uneek]

Seen Blackstone Labs mentioned by a few members here for UOAs (used oil analysis).

 

[GMZ]

I use Blackstone, but another one is Oil Analyzers Inc, whose test includes a TBN test (BS is +$10) but not the cookie cutter comments for people who dont know how to read a UOA.

 

[kylebacc]

Forgive me, but what is a TBN test?

 

[GMZ]

Forgive me, but what is a TBN test?

Total Base Number, basically how much active ingredients of the add pack are left. Or in simpler terms the "life" left in the oil, measured by its ability to absorb acidity. It doesnt decline in a linear fashion, so it might drop by 50% in the first few thousand miles but the decline will taper off quite a bit after that.

If youre interested in oil, check out the BITOG forums for more than you ever dreamed about lubricants. It might just change the way you think about oil changes, it sure did for me.

 

[kylebacc]

Thanks for that. Looks like a great resource. Bookmarked for later study

 

[Iowa4Runner]

How do you guys get your oil tested? Any good/bad experiences?

I used Blackstone until I learned that the person sending me the reports was clearly unqualified to interpret the data from the analysis. I asked for further explanation of the copper content in my oil and she reassured me it was OK because, according to her, I could put the same amount of copper on my eye. Yeah, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. I guess my engine passed the SAE eye tolerance test, so there's no need to worry that it's wearing away copper 2 to 3 times faster than the average 4.7 liter Toyota V8. If I remember correctly she was/is an English major.

 

[kylebacc]

Thanks for the input, I'll make sure to shop around a bit then.