Oil analysis applies to our diesel tow vehicles!!!

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:48 am Post subject:

We did (and still do, I think) the same thing on big gas turbines and diesels on surface ships! An invaluable tool!

Charlie

Bill Uffelman · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

In addition to oil samples, we had magnetic plugs on the gear boxes as a quick tell tale of looming trouble.

Bill Uffelman
Looking out on Areys Pond
South Orleans MA for another day

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sneaks!

Going to do some looking about a bit on this topic. Very interesting.

Byrdman

Doug & Fran · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject: magnets

I've been putting small, cheap, rare earth magnets on the oil filters on our cars/trucks. Dunno if it makes any difference, but the magnets are cheap and should collect any ferrous type material in the filter.

Doug

denny-o · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

Oil analysis is a topic I have followed for decades for my business vehicles and my airplane (it has not been an issue for my sailboats)... Roughly every 5 years I get concerned and go over the latest information... And each time I decide not to do it...
Now what is economical and prudent testing for a multi million dollar turbine in a warship does not apply to me...

The issues are:
1. Does oil analysis save me more money than it costs?
2. If an engine is showing elevated this or that, am I going to spend $6K/$18K on an overhaul (truck/airplane) just in case?

My experience and my conversations with people who use oil analysis is that it does not predict sudden breakage - a timing chain snapping, etc. - only elevated wear rate of bearings, cams, etc... My personal experience has been that an experienced operator will sense a problem with an engine long before it results in stoppage - change in temperatures, vibration, noise, etc...

What I do to supplement being alert is to cut open the oil filter at each oil change and inspect it for metal shavings... You will become an expert by the time you do the second filter... The other thing I do is to use a good oil, but not the most expensive razzle dazzle stuff advertised, and to change the oil at 2/3 of the recommended interval...
It is not the oil base that protects the engine against accelerated wear, it is the additive package... The high dollar oil has essentially the same additive package as the brand name stuff, and those additives wear out at the same rate in either oil... By changing my oil more frequently I have fresh additives over a higher percentage of the running hours than I do with the more expensive, extended change oils... In the end it costs me about the same but I 'feel' that looking at the filter more frequently is to my advantage along with the fresher additive package...

BrentB · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject:

I am not familar with technical details. What analytes are tested and what are the interpretations?

localboy · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

BrentB · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject:

How often should it tested?

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject:

BrentB · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

thank you

Based your tests, did it help?

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

Sure, Brent. I bought on line from an owner living in Thailand and his truck was stored in Los Angeles. Definite peace of mind after reading the first analysis. The second showed no change from the first one so I stopped doing 'em.

Don

Oh, the owner turned out to be a PGA golfer playing in the Asian PGA tour. I don't play cow pasture pool so his name meant nothing to me. Johnson or Johnston. All I remember was that he was 6'5" and a nice guy. He flew in to LA, we swapped cash for pink at my bank and I gave them a ride to the airport.

bshillam · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: Good idea

Thanks for the words of advice. I'm going to order a kit. I recently purchased a late model M2 Freightliner that is going to be out of warranty as of September. Good piece of mind on an expense piece of equipment! Again, thanks for the advice. I knew about these tests but had forgotten about them.

Will-C

Brent,
Large truck fleet managers use oil analysis to extend oil change intervals by testing individual motors. Typically diesel oil changes are recommended at 10k intervals. By testing the oil they might find a particular engine's oil still tests well at 16k they stretch oil change intervals by five or six thousand miles on an engine that hold 10 gallons of oil it's easy to see the savings if you consider fleets with ten or one hundred trucks. As the engine gets older the testing showing high contamination of fuel or bearing material lets them plan on dumping the piece or the budgeting process. Not to mention the work load for the shop and the unit to come out of service. Our shop truck has a turbo charged Mercedes engine; we change it a 5k because it's cheap we do it ourselves and we want the engine to last forever. The other benefits it's quick and we don't have wonder about who did what at Wally World. Other folks living condos or right on the side walk simply don't have a place to do it. Everyone has there way of doing things.
D.D.

BrentB · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:

Good story Sneaks
Thanks again to you and Dave

This is well thought and useful infomation.

What is the estimated testing turnaround time?

I am always learning somthing from the C-Brats