How to analyze oil (beyond Blackstone)?

[AcceptableBanana1986]

I send my oil in every time to Blackstone, but I’m aware there are limitations i.e., it won’t pick up large particles one can see with the eye.

What would be the expectation for a do it yourself mechanic. Would it be to make sure the drain pan is clean and then when drained to look for what specifically (e.g., glitter)? Is it worth opening the filter as well?

This is for a Subaru BRZ (2nd generation) with about 26k miles.

 

[shortyb]

Smell. Then get a better lab than Blackstone and their "looks good" interpretation .

 

[nascarnation]

Oil analysis can be useful for things like commercial duty where downtime on a scheduled machine or vehicle can be managed. Or on a race motor where it's mandated by rule that a certain number of miles must be completed before swapout but you're concerned about a failure before that limit is reached.

But it's very unlikely you're going to get a dealer to repair/ replace the engine or transmission on your warranty covered vehicle based on an oil sample analysis.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Dude, it’s a new engine/car. Just drive it and change the oil at the recommended time. Check back in 200k.

 

[AcceptableBanana1986]

I was just asking since I track and autocross the car often. So want to be as proactive as possible to knowing a near rebuild or failure is coming.

 

[Artem]

I was just asking since I track and autocross the car often. So want to be as proactive as possible to knowing a near rebuild or failure is coming.

I own a ‘25 GR86 with only 2k miles on it thus far so I don’t have any oil analysis reports to compare but it’s easy to do random health check ups on the oil every now and then and you’ll definitely know if there’s a problem from the analysis, especially if you sample often enough.

 

[AcceptableBanana1986]

I own a ‘25 GR86 with only 2k miles on it thus far so I don’t have any oil analysis reports to compare but it’s easy to do random health check ups on the oil every now and then and you’ll definitely know if there’s a problem from the analysis, especially if you sample often enough.

I plan on sampling every 3k.