Engine Oil Analysis for Cheapskates
The best way to establish realistic oil change intervals is via oil analysis. Of course, on many passenger car vehicles that only take 4-6 quarts of motor oil, the cost of the oil analysis is nearly as much as a complete oil change.
Of course, the end result is that most folks will chose not to ante up for a "true" oil analysis. However, they might be inclined to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how to go about doing it. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is maintaining it's ability to protect your engine.
Below you will read about one of six very simple yet incredibly useful tests for checking oil quality without ever having to leave your garage.
It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more regarding lubricants and filters in general. You might find the following sites useful in this quest.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Spot Test
Putting this simple test into practice can reveal a plethora of potential oil problems that might cause your engine to be in need of an oil change: build-up of condensation, contamination with anti-freeze, high particulate levels, dispersant additive deterioration, fuel in your oil, products of oxidation and sludge build-up.
While your engine (and the oil) is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and deposit one drop of engine oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay your white paper/card someplace where it sits suspended and parallel to the ground and so that your oil spot won't touch anything - on either side of the card. For instance, if using something relatively stiff you could set it across the top of a mug.
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 = Dispersancy failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outer ring = Severe oxidation
- Center of circle dark with outer rings = Fuel in oil,Fuel dilution
Information for this business card test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21392
Of course, the end result is that most folks will chose not to ante up for a "true" oil analysis. However, they might be inclined to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how to go about doing it. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is maintaining it's ability to protect your engine.
Below you will read about one of six very simple yet incredibly useful tests for checking oil quality without ever having to leave your garage.
It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more regarding lubricants and filters in general. You might find the following sites useful in this quest.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Spot Test
Putting this simple test into practice can reveal a plethora of potential oil problems that might cause your engine to be in need of an oil change: build-up of condensation, contamination with anti-freeze, high particulate levels, dispersant additive deterioration, fuel in your oil, products of oxidation and sludge build-up.
While your engine (and the oil) is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and deposit one drop of engine oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay your white paper/card someplace where it sits suspended and parallel to the ground and so that your oil spot won't touch anything - on either side of the card. For instance, if using something relatively stiff you could set it across the top of a mug.
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 = Dispersancy failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outer ring = Severe oxidation
- Center of circle dark with outer rings = Fuel in oil,Fuel dilution
Information for this business card test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21392
About the Author:
Would you like me to tell you how the other 5 oil analysis tests can be performed? Simply click over to my BestSyntheticOil.com site and read through the rest of my "Poor Man's Oil Analysis" article to determine your proper oil change intervals............
posted by X - Men @ 2:48 AM
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