Test with Oil Analysis & Fluid Test Kits
Oil Analysis will save you money giving you a picture of the situation in your motor oil and other fluids. AMSOIL’s oil analysis kits are easy to use, and results are quick and interactive.
Oil Analysis is the means for reducing costs by eliminating scheduled maintenance for performing maintenance based as needed. This not only supports the fleet customer but the individual driver as well. Oil analysis is the next step we at The Synthetic Warehouse recommend to further improve your maintenance program.
One of our accounts recently prevented a major yet common cam shaft failure as our analysis caught an exceeding wear metal in the oil indicating needed service which scheduled maintenance wouldn’t have solved.
Oil analysis is also recommended for our customers who use our by-pass filtration kits to monitor and indicate the best time to change filters or change oil.
Sampling oil is easy, low cost, fast and convenient. We provide simple test kits which one can test used oil drained, oil pulled from a current sample via dipstick tube pump or oil bypass filter drain.
AMSOIL uses a third-party testing lab located in Salt Lake City, Houston and Indianapolis. These labs perform tests per AMSOIL’s unique perimeters.
Please call us to include an Oil Analysis kit in your order. The best thing to do is analyze your old oil on the way out so you can be sure everything is in top shape. Those selling their vehicle or buying one may find this an invaluable service.
These Oil Analysis Reports include Summary & Recommendations, Elemental Analysis, Test Data and warning flags.
Start here with our brochure on Fluid Analysis – Everything you need on Oil Sampling improving accuracy of the sample.
Sampling Kit Packaging/quantities include (click to order):
(or call for best price 1-800-579-0580)
Sampling Oil Pump – G1206
Replacement Hose for Pump Set – (25 Feet) G1571
New! Value kit – Simple answer – Is the oil still good for continuous use? (Actually I sent one in to see the results and I got the full blown analysis for almost 40% less cost!!
KIT-01 Oil Analyzers Test Kit: (1) Kit – Postage Pre-Paid
KIT-02 Oil Analyzers Test Kit: (1) Kit – UPS Pre-Paid (best selling option)
KIT06 Oil Analyzers Test Kit: (1) Kit – Non Postage Paid
KIT09 Coolant Testing: (1) Kit – UPS
KIT10 Diesel Fuel Contamination Test: (1) Kit
KIT11 Diesel Fuel Performance Test: (1) Kit
Note: Sampling Pump and Hose are sold separately (G1206)
but the pump does come with hose for a single use.
The Sampling Process
Trend Analysis
A single sampling analysis is useful in providing information when critical failure conditions exist. However, trend analysis is a better tool for estimating the useful life or overall condition of your engine or equipment. Trend analysis samples are taken and analyzed at regularly scheduled intervals. Comparing the most recent analysis to previous reports on a given machine shows the development of trends. Monitoring these trends enables early detection of internal abnormalities. Tested values falling within acceptable limits may show a pattern of subtle variance, which could signal a developing problem.
Machines of the same type will accumulate contaminants and wear at different rates. Performing trend analysis on each machine is the most effective method of giving you an internal look at your equipment and enabling you to deal with developing problems before they become catastrophic situations.
Sampling Frequency
The frequency of sample analysis from your equipment depends on the machine type, machine application and condition, operating environment and other variables. For example, many machines that operate in harsh environments, such as heavy equipment in mining or construction, require short oil sampling intervals – every 100 to 300 operating hours. However, certain power transmission systems, such as gearboxes and hydraulic systems used inside manufacturing and production facilities, require no more than quarterly sampling intervals. The following table lists generic sampling frequencies for common equipment types and is provided as a guideline only. Additional information is available from Oil Analyzers Inc., your lubricant supplier, and the equipment manufacturer.
Collecting a clean and representative oil sample is critical to the oil analysis process. Put simply, an oil analysis is only as good as the sample taken. The accuracy and reliability of the data produced by an analysis hinge on receiving a representative sample from the equipment to be tested. To assure that the sample extracted is representative of the system, always follow proper sampling procedures.
Oil Analysis Blog – Making Sense of Used-Oil Report
Analysis of used oil provides insights into the health of the oil and filters as well as the equipment. While the benefits of analysis are clear, making sense of the report you receive can be a challenge. Unpacking the elements of a typical report is a great way to improve clarity.
Each oil analysis lab has a slightly different report layout, and you should check with your analysis lab if you have questions specific to your report as they may not follow the exact order or explanations below.
Garbage in, garbage out
Getting the most out of your oil analysis reports starts with your sampling process. Oil analysis is a data-driven process that requires a set of data points over time to provide insights. Establishing a trend usually requires a minimum of three samples, and consistency is important. For best results, take samples…
- Under normal conditions or immediately after shutdown while at operating temperature
- At regularly scheduled intervals
- From the same sampling point within the engine
Most reports are divided into five major sections: (1) Comments, (2) Wear Metals, (3) Contaminants, (4) Additive Metals and (5) Viscosity, Contaminants & Degradation.
Comments explaining what they see in particular to your situation
Most capable oil analysis labs have data analysts on staff to explain the results and, if necessary, make recommendations to rectify significant changes in the lubricant or the engine condition. Starting first with the comments section provides a road map to understanding the rest of the report.
Wear Metals
Wear metals are measured in parts per million (ppm). The source of these particles in most cases is related to engine-component wear. Results from wear metals can indicate if components in the engine are operating in a normal state, nearing failure or have already failed.
Common wear metals include iron, chromium, nickel, aluminum, copper, lead, tin, cadmium, silver and vanadium.
Contaminants
Knowledge of the conditions in which the vehicle is operating can help explain varying levels of contaminants. Excessive levels of dust and dirt commonly show up in this category and can lead to accelerated wear.
Common contaminants include silicon, sodium and potassium.
Additive Metals
Many of these metals are components within the oil’s additive technology. Molybdenum, antimony and boron are additives in some oils. Magnesium, calcium and barium are often used in detergent/dispersant additives. Phosphorous and zinc are used in anti-wear additives. Decreases in these metals can be an indicator that the oil’s capacity to protect is also diminishing.
Viscosity, Contaminants & Degradation
This section of the analysis shows changes in viscosity; common contaminants such as fuel, water and soot; as well as the degradation of the oil’s ability to neutralize acids. The following chart shows general guidelines for the respective attributes:
OIL ANALYSIS Q&A
Change Maintenance Practices – Not Alarm Limits – to Effectively Monitor Soot Levels in EGR Engines
The growing popularity of EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) engines has raised the question, “What is an acceptable level of soot?” and if I can expect a higher level of soot in an EGR engine, “Then why not raise the oil analysis alarm limit?”
Soot is soot. Knowing that a particular engine design creates and retains more of it doesn’t make higher levels acceptable. Alarm limits should remain the same – maintenance practices should change.
Utilizing enhanced additive packages with more efficient dispersants and closely monitoring the condition of the oil between oil changes to determine optimum drain intervals is the better solution. Unlike gasoline engines, fuel in a diesel engine is injected during the compression stroke. The high pressure ignites the fuel immediately allowing it no time to properly mix with air. Combustion is
incomplete and soot is created. Engine designs of the past expelled most of the soot created by inefficient fuel combustion through the exhaust, but EGR engines recirculate exhaust gases back into the cylinder at a lower temperature to reduce NOx emission. Retarding ignition timing and reducing the amount of oxygen in the cylinder produces less NOx but inhibits combustion and creates excess soot.
If not adequately dispersed within the oil, soot particles begin to agglomerate or gather into clusters increasing viscosity and allowing deposits to form on metal surfaces. Thick, sooty oil can plug filters and increase operating temperatures which can cause lubrication starvation and ultimately, metal on metal contact. The soot then becomes a harsh abrasive that accelerates wear in cylinder liners, rings, piston
skirts, journal bearings and valve trains.
The below article shows how some of the largest fleets in existence have taken advantage of using oil analysis to predict maintenance rather than the most expensive method aside from waiting till something breaks or “OEM” scheduled maintenance.
Here you will see having a large fleet with a central control limits the product quality available for the whole fleet to use. The below example shows a state which buys a lower quality oil in bulk, then tries balance failures yet keep maintenance costs low.
These bulk oil distributors have no interest in working with the fleets AMSOIL is perfect for – 2 to 40 vehicles or equipment. Your fleet when using oil analysis combined with AMSOIL products may reach intervals three times what is possible with a product such as Delvac 1300 15W40, plus with the flexibility of using lower viscosities and bypass filtration one could reduce fuel costs, wear and time spent on maintenance even further. Be sure to see our results in refuse trucks which see more stress than most other vehicles on the road.
A great way to clean out gasoline engines is to try the new high-mileage AMSOIL synthetic motor oil and Engine Flush. Diesels also benefit with the Flush product.