Is a VOA a necessity before doing UOA?

[Carlostrece]

Can I know oil condition from a used oil analysis if I didn't do a used oil analysis earlier?

i.e. - Is a VOA a neccesity before beginning to do used oil analysis?

 

[Brian123]

Do the used oil analysis and post it here, how many miles are on this Vehicle?
A VOA is nice to compare to the used oil analysis, what oil are you using?

 

[MolaKule]

Can I know oil condition from a used oil analysis if I didn't do a used oil analysis earlier?

You need a VOA base line to determine the general addpack signature and starting viscosity for comparison when the used oil analysis results are returned.

i.e. - Is a VOA a neccesity before beginning to do used oil analysis?

In my opinion, yes.

 

[rstsco]

I'm a total noob, but I've learned that different labs may use different test methods, e.g. ICP vs RDE for elemental analysis, so the results may be different from one lab to another. Generally speaking, pick a lab and stick with them so you're comparing apples-to-apples.

 

[dnewton3]

A VOA really isn't necessary if you're simply wanting to do used oil analysis as a toy; not really using the used oil analysis for it's full purpose.

But if you want to track contamination and degradation, the VOA is paramount to knowing a baseline. It's especially important to know Si, oxidation, etc if you're going to use the used oil analysis in an effort to stretch the OCIs.

 

[rstsco]

But if you want to track contamination and degradation, the VOA is paramount to knowing a baseline. It's especially important to know Si, oxidation, etc if you're going to use the used oil analysis in an effort to stretch the OCIs.

In this thread, VOAs of HPL Premium Plus PCMO shows aluminum at 9-14ppm from two different labs. Without this knowledge and performing a used oil analysis, you might think there's some wearing of aluminum parts going on. Having the baseline, you can start by subtracting the values from the VOA from the values in the used oil analysis. Those would be the general numbers to track on subsequent used oil analysis for trend analysis.

There will likely be variations from samples and labs. Don't take the VOA as gospel, nor each used oil analysis, but a guideline.

 

[Carlostrece]

OK. A VOA is necessary. Got it. Thanks

 

[dnewton3]

Also, look over the VOA and make sure things make sense ...

See this thread of mine with obvious erroneous values in the first report (compare first post info to the 13th post update).

The reality is that used oil analysis and VOAs are subject to error, so knowing the correct values is of the utmost importance.

Thread 'HPL PCEO 5w-30 base VOA ... 2025'

Jun 24, 2025

See attached for the base PCEO in 5w30

NOTE >>> This VOA was in error in the barium and titanium. See post #13 below for "updated" analysis of this sample.

• dnewton3
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Virgin Oil Analysis - PCMO/HDEO

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[rstsco]

Also, look over the VOA and make sure things make sense ...

See this thread of mine with obvious erroneous values in the first report (compare first post info to the 13th post update).

The reality is that used oil analysis and VOAs are subject to error, so knowing the correct values is of the utmost importance.

I'm new to this forum (not the world) and testing of motor oils. Members here have caught errors on two of my used oil analysis results, which the lab then corrected. Post the VOA and used oil analysis you receive and you'll get experienced eyes looking them over, catching potential anomalies.

 

[Carlostrece]

I'm new to this forum (not the world) and testing of motor oils. Members here have caught errors on two of my used oil analysis results, which the lab then corrected. Post the VOA and used oil analysis you receive and you'll get experienced eyes looking them over, catching potential anomalies.

OK. Thanks.

You've made 407 posts. That's not new, but I do see you joined 2½ months ago in May, which is somewhat recent, but not new. You clearly know things and have good info to share. Thank you.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Can I know oil condition from a used oil analysis if I didn't do a used oil analysis earlier?

i.e. - Is a VOA a neccesity before beginning to do used oil analysis?

I would say no because as Blackstone says, there isn't a statistically relevant difference in wear between brands of oil. Besides there are different tests for TBN depending on whether the oil is virgin or used so the numbers don't correlate.

I would opine that wear rates are largely engine specific rather than oil specific.