Need to draw a sample for UOA

[Quattro Pete]

I need to draw an oil sample for UOA. I have two sample pumps already, but both packed away in storage somewhere - can't find them right now. Don't really want to buy a third one.

I will not be draining the oil the traditional way. I just extract it with TopSider, so trying to catch a sample "mid stream" is not an option.

So, how can I draw a clean sample? Silly, but can I stick a piece of clean tubing down the dipstick tube and create some vacuum with my mouth? Will this work?

Any other inexpensive ideas?

 

[JamesBond]

Clear vinyl tubing with the pump from a hand soap dispenser, if your dipstick tube is wide enough.

 

[zorobabel]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
I need to draw an oil sample for UOA. I have two sample pumps already, but both packed away in storage somewhere - can't find them right now. Don't really want to buy a third one.

I will not be draining the oil the traditional way. I just extract it with TopSider, so trying to catch a sample "mid stream" is not an option.

So, how can I draw a clean sample? Silly, but can I stick a piece of clean tubing down the dipstick tube and create some vacuum with my mouth? Will this work?

Any other inexpensive ideas?


I've almost done the mouth vacuum method. You should do it every 1000 miles, get a taste of it instead of a UOA; does it taste coppery? acidic? - TBN is done; gas taste - fuel dilution )
If you vacuum with your mouth - turkey baster style you might get some moisture in the sample. I would prefer syphoning.
You could also use a syringe.

 

[Imp4]

Originally Posted by JamesBond
Clear vinyl tubing with the pump from a hand soap dispenser, if your dipstick tube is wide enough.

Can confirm the hand soap pump method works with a thin tube down to the sump.
I've also drained a riding mower with a galled drain plug this way in a situation where my hand pump was not available.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by Imp4
Originally Posted by JamesBond
Clear vinyl tubing with the pump from a hand soap dispenser, if your dipstick tube is wide enough.

Can confirm the hand soap pump method works with a thin tube down to the sump.

Nice.

So, are you quickly disconnecting the soap pump just before the oil reaches it hoping gravity does the rest of the work, or are you letting the oil flow through the pump?

 

[Imp4]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete

So, are you quickly disconnecting the soap pump just before the oil reaches it hoping gravity does the rest of the work, or are you letting the oil flow through the pump?

When I did it, I pumped it all out with the soap pump. My tubing wasn't very flexible so the gravity feed method wasn't an option.
The soap pump was very S L O W as I had to pump out about a quart and a half. But it did work.

Good luck!!!

 

[Quattro Pete]

The soap dispenser pump idea worked quite well. I just don't know if there was any sample contamination, given that the pump has a metal spring inside, which may or may not have been lubed with something. Anyway, I am primarily looking for coolant presence in oil, so hopefully this is irrelevant.

Thanks!