Oil Testing for the Financially Declined
It is best to rely on oil analysis to determine your oil change interval. Of course, on many passenger car vehicles that only take 4-6 quarts of motor oil, the cost of the oil analysis can be nearly as costly as a full oil change.
Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform a simple oil analysis themselves, if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you detailed numbers as you'd get from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is holding up.
In the next few paragraphs you will discover the complete details for performing one of six DIY oil analysis tests which can be used to establish the condition of your oil and whether it's ready for a change.
It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more about oils and filters in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- No More Oil Changes - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Business Card Test
The use of this simple layman's oil analysis test can unveil a number of possible oil degredation issues that might lead to the necessity for an oil change: excessive particulates, condensation build-up, glycol contamination, fuel dilution, failure of dispersant additives, formation of sludge and oxidation products.
While your engine (and the oil) is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and deposit a single drop of engine oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay your white paper/card in a location where it will be suspended and horizontal and in such a way that your oil spot touches nothing - on the top OR bottom of the card. For instance, 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 coffee cup.
You'll want to be patient and wait for the paper or card to absorb the oil drop completely which might take awhile. Once all of the oil has dried you can begin evaluating the condition of your oil.
- A colorless circle or somewhat yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.
- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your motor oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outside ring = Severe oxidation
- A dark center with surrounding rings = Fuel in oil, Fuel dilution
Details of this test procedure found in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000
Are you interested in learning more about do it yourself oil analysis testing, comparison of engine oils, how synthetics CAN and sometimes CANNOT be good options, how to evaluate oil filter quality and much more? Click this link to my Motor Oil Bible Blog or head over and check out my Motor Oil Bible ebook.
Related posts:
- Oil Analysis for the Financially Declined
- Motor Oil Analysis for Minimal Expense
- Snap, Crackle, Pop: Why Hire Out Your Oil Testing?
- Discuss Whether to Use CJ-4 Diesel Oils vs. CI-4?
- Discuss Whether or not to Utilize an API CI-4 or CJ-4 Rated Diesel Motor Oil?
Comments are closed.
