Oil analysis question

[Dark Jedi]

first off sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. dont know where to post it. so sorry ahead of time

I was wondrting how yo upull your samples. as I was in the Air Force and was a Crew Chief of a B-52H Bomber. I know when we took oil samples we had to go through the oil cap with a tub and go all the way down then bring it half way up. so we could get an accurate reading. I was told draining out the bottom was a no no unless yo ulet the oil set for about an hour I think. been a few years sence I done it.

so my question is how do yo uall take your samples. also does it make any difference if the oil is warm or cold? I know by sending it in it will be cold. I am just wondering if it makes a difference or not.

 

[sky jumper]

quote:

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Originally posted by Dark Jedi:
first off sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. dont know where to post it. so sorry ahead of time

I was wondrting how yo upull your samples. as I was in the Air Force and was a Crew Chief of a B-52H Bomber. I know when we took oil samples we had to go through the oil cap with a tub and go all the way down then bring it half way up. so we could get an accurate reading. I was told draining out the bottom was a no no unless yo ulet the oil set for about an hour I think. been a few years sence I done it.

so my question is how do yo uall take your samples. also does it make any difference if the oil is warm or cold? I know by sending it in it will be cold. I am just wondering if it makes a difference or not.

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other experts in this forum feel free to chime in....

you want the oil hot, so all the contaminents are mixed up in the oil as opposed to settled at the bottom of the sump. this is representative of the oil as it is actually flowing through your engine while running.

there are two methods of collection. one is to take a sample while draining the oil. the other is to pump some out of the dipstick tube. there is some debate as to which is more accuate (e.g. drain hole/sump contamination vs. dipstick tube contamination). Also, the diptick pump method is quicker and you can take a sample without draining the oil.

I prefer dipstick pump method. you can get the pump from Blackstone labs. I measure out a length on the pump tube equal to the length of the dipstick, and insert that length in the dipstick tube - that way you know you're not hitting any internal parts and picking up contamination. I also take two samples (discard the first and keep the second) just to clear out any contamination that might be in the pump tube.

 

[Winston]

The benefit of getting the sample when you are draining is that you won't accidentally stir up any crud that is on the bottom of the pan. When collecting the sample, have the oil warm, let the first bit go into your pan, then collect the sample, then let the rest go into the pan.

OTOH, it seems kind of silly to sample your oil when you drain it. Part of the reason of getting the sample is to determine whether the oil is good enough to stay in longer.

I wish Blackstone had the disposable "bellows" samplers like they have at www.youroil.net. Yes, I asked, they do not plan on stocking them.