Oil Analysis for the Poor Man
Establishing safe and conservative oil change intervals is best accomplished through oil analysis performed at a reputable lab. The problem is, a complete oil analysis can easily run you about as much as a 5 quart oil change - with petroleum oil anyway.
So, for many motorists, the more cost effective solution is to execute a free "do it at home" analysis of their oil. It is not likely to provide information as accurate and precise as results from an oil analysis lab, but it can give you a pretty decent notion of how well your oil is handling the extremes within your engine.
Below you will read about one of six very simple yet incredibly useful methods 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 motor oil and filtration in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator - motor oil comparison specifications
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Business Card Test
Putting this simple test into practice can expose a number of potential oil breakdown symptoms that might necessitate draining of the oil: 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 oil is WARM (not HOT), pull your dipstick and put a single drop of motor oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Place your white paper/card in a location where it is suspended and horizontal and in such a way that your oil spot touches nothing - on either side of the card. As an example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could place it across the top of a glass.
You want to be certain that the drop dries completely before trying to evaluate the appearance of the oil drop. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you can begin evaluating the condition of your oil.
- 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
Details of the blotter spot test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21392
So, for many motorists, the more cost effective solution is to execute a free "do it at home" analysis of their oil. It is not likely to provide information as accurate and precise as results from an oil analysis lab, but it can give you a pretty decent notion of how well your oil is handling the extremes within your engine.
Below you will read about one of six very simple yet incredibly useful methods 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 motor oil and filtration in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator - motor oil comparison specifications
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Business Card Test
Putting this simple test into practice can expose a number of potential oil breakdown symptoms that might necessitate draining of the oil: 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 oil is WARM (not HOT), pull your dipstick and put a single drop of motor oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Place your white paper/card in a location where it is suspended and horizontal and in such a way that your oil spot touches nothing - on either side of the card. As an example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could place it across the top of a glass.
You want to be certain that the drop dries completely before trying to evaluate the appearance of the oil drop. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you can begin evaluating the condition of your oil.
- 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
Details of the blotter spot test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21392
About the Author:
Would it help you to know more about cheapskate oil testing, comparison of engine oils, why you MAY or MAY NOT want to choose synthetic motor oil, how to compare oil filters and much more? Check out my Motor Oil Bible Blog or you might want to consider reading my Motor Oil Bible PDF ebook.
posted by X - Men @ 2:03 AM
0 Comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home