oil sample question

[greenjp]

Ok, yesterday after work it was time to give my '03 Saab 9-5 Aero an oil change. 39,950 miles, the last change was at 34,976. This car gets a change every 5k to avoid the sludge problem.

Anyway, I drained out all the oil, got the filter off, then "d'oh!" realized I'd forgotten to get a sample while it was pouring out the drain hole. The last sample I sent in was at 15k, wanted to get a new one, and was curious to see what the Mobil 1 15W-50 that was in there would show.

So, I filled the sample bottle from my drain pan. I use the same pan for our Honda, the Saab, and my motorcycle, and I also drained the old filter into it so whatever it backwashed out would be mixed in too. I'm guessing the sample is probably contaminated and not worth sending in?

FWIW now that the colder weather is coming I went to the Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w40. If this sample is no good I'll send one in at 45k.

jeff

 

[vad]

How good do you clean the pan in between the oil changes?
If you wipe it dry then I don't think that contamination would be all that great if at all.

 

[ekpolk]

What the heck, run the used oil analysis and see what you get. If any numbers are out of line, you've got a pretty good idea why.

 

[Gary Allan]

I'd send it in too. Any residual should be well over masked by the fresh(er) drain oil ..in such a substantial amount. Surely it's not the preferred method ..but I think it will work. If nothing else you get the visc/flash point/etc. data.

 

[greenjp]

I don't clean out the pan between uses, so it definitely had some residue in there. Though you guys are right it's only a small portion. My other concern is the filter - would dumping it on the pan and letting it drain out let any previously filtered stuff back out and into the pan? If there's any chance the sample is now loaded with insolubles and whatever else, I won't bother.

jeff

 

[LarryL]

Your sample will be useless. Wait until next time.

 

[coal68]

Dont waste the cash. Get a better sample next time.