Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
Originally Posted By: pdxglocker9mm
This cracks me up.
I do 3000-4000 mile oil changes I spend about $15 or less
for a oil change. 4 qts oil, new drain plug gasket, and oil filter.
I am not going to spend $28 to get my oil analyzed. I pay attention to my fluid levels
and keep up on my services.
I will use my dollars to keep other things serviced, transmission, radiator, brakes, power steering.
Even if it meant catching a coolant leak early before you're entire motor took a dump? Oil analysis is not just for the oil. Excessive wear metals that could suggest bearings starting to fail, a high level of silicon that could show that there is a air intake problem and dirty air is getting past the filter somewhere, coolant in the oil suggesting a head gasket leak or oil cooler failure, etc. Any of which if caught early are substantially cheaper to repair than replacing an entire motor. While you might get an oil sample done for $28, I can get oil sample kits and analysis done from my Schaeffer Oil rep for about $10 a pop, including free postage. And that is with buying them ala carte. I get free kits and analysis with my oil orders, but I order oil and grease in bulk. But even if it did cost me $28, that is less than most folks blow on a Saturday evening on worthless nonsense, and that $28 is only going to be a hit a few times a year at most. Got to love folk's logic in how they make their choices in life, and how they will balk at a few bucks to do something realistic as if they are having to take out a second mortgage to do it.
I wash the engine very regularly, simple green or 409 after an oil change while the engine is still warm. I then let it air dry for about an hour. The engine is VERY clean which makes it easy to identify any leaks easily. I am very familiar with my "NORMAL" fluid levels. If the coolant is low it had to go somewhere so if I could not find a external leak I might consider a $10 oil analysis. As for un metered air entering thru unknown intake leaks. Many modern vehicles are very sensitive to this and set codes due to the computer maxing out fuel trims. There are also methods of checking for intake leaks if someone is worried about it. As for bearings yes they are obviously important
but if they were to go out a reman short block or long block would be in my near future as this would likely be the fastest and cheapest repair option.