Analyzing the oil in your car is like sending a sample of
your blood to the lab — it reveals an astonishing amount of
information about the inner workings of your engine without
invasive surgery. By reading the results of the analysis, you
can fine-tune the intervals between oil changes and discover
problems — such as a leaking head gasket — before they cause
more expensive damage.
You might even consider analyzing the oil from a car you
are considering buying. Currently this is popular with
airplane, boat and heavy equipment buyers, but at least one
company may soon offer this as an option for used car shoppers
as well.
Test-Driving Oil Analysis
We sent two samples of engine oil to
Blackstone Laboratories in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to see
what we could learn about a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant with 80,000
miles on its four-cylinder engine. The first sample was oil
that had been used for 3,000 miles. The second sample was
taken right after an oil change at a Jiffy Lube.
The 3,000-mile oil still had plenty of life left in it,
according to the lab results. Blackstone recommended we try
increasing the oil change interval to 5,000 miles and send
another sample for analysis at that point. Furthermore, the
report said the wear metals in the oil were within normal
levels, meaning that the engine was not in immediate danger of
breaking down. By detecting specific wear metals in the oil,
experts can tell which engine parts might be in danger of
malfunctioning.
Since the purpose of oil is to lubricate, clean and cool
the engine, a TBN (total base number) is used to measure the
deterioration of the oil by assigning a number that is usually
between 0 and 8. The TBN of the 3,000-mile oil was 3.7. The
Jiffy Lube oil was 7.6 indicating it had been barely used.
"Even if the TBN is 1, it doesn't mean the oil isn't doing
its job," said Ryan Stark, president of Blackstone
Laboratories. "But it does reveal the rate at which the
additives are being used up."
Oil Analysis, a Growing Business
Stark said that his company, which employs six analysts, gets
about 20 new customers a day and does between 40,000 and
50,000 reports per year. A single analysis costs $22.50 but
discounts are available for multiple analyses. Blackstone can
also analyze transmission fluid and other engine fluids to
look for possible problems.
Many other laboratories offer engine oil analysis, but
Blackstone's reports are user-friendly, and the turnaround is
quick. Within days of our mailing in two 4-ounce samples, the
results were e-mailed to us.
"We've had customers who were changing their oil every
3,000 miles and now they've gone to every 10,000 miles because
of our reports," said Stark. "But we're conservative. If the
oil looks good at 3,000 miles we recommend increasing the
frequency by 2,000 miles and taking another look at it."
A Used-Car Buying Tool?
A Long Beach, California, company that provides pre-purchase
inspections for private parties is breaking new ground by
planning to offer engine oil analysis to private-party used
car buyers.
"With an oil sample test, which essentially is the DNA of a
car's engine and transmission, we can detect any excessive
conditions that can lead to serious mechanical problems down
the road," said
Alliance Inspection Management Vice President of Sales
Eric Widmer.
If the oil sample result meets industry standards, a
limited warranty will be offered to the buyer. Edmer said this
was the first time an inspection service has used this method
to qualify a buyer for a warranty. It would, Edmer points out,
provide a level of confidence for used-car buyers shopping for
a reliable car.
Stark said that some of Blackstone's customers have sent
samples from cars they were considering buying but it's far
more common practice with buyers of airplanes, boats,
motorcycles or even jet skis.
How To Take an Engine Oil Sample
We took the Mitsubishi samples by sliding under the car,
unscrewing the oil filter and draining the oil into a glass
jar. The jar was sealed securely, wrapped in padding and Fed
Exed to Blackstone.
Taking a sample in this manner is messy, and you can burn
your hand on the hot oil filter. Instead, you'll want to use a
vacuum pump that takes a sample through the dipstick opening.
Such a pump is available from Blackstone or other oil analysis
labs.
Oil Analysis for Do-It-Yourselfers
Car owners who enjoy
changing their own oil will find oil analysis an
inexpensive test and easy to perform as part of engine
maintenance. It helps consumers tailor their oil change
intervals and experiment with the benefits of
different oils such as synthetic blends. Furthermore, some
people might try it as a used car shopping tool next time they
are looking for a reliable car.
Then again, there is the pure love of knowledge that such a
test provides. For a gearhead, that's an end in itself. "For
years and years no one knew when to change the oil, so they
went with three months and 3,000 miles," Stark said. "Now, we
can provide a service that's a good value to people so they
really know what's best for their engine."
