Oxidation and other elements

[racer12306]

I'm about to round out a 10k interval on our van and I'm going to be sending a sample off for analysis.

I've used Blackstone a few times with plenty of luck. However, I've seen a number of people mention that neglecting to test for oxidation makes the UOA nearly pointless.

How important is oxidation? When does it become more important? Would I be better off sending the sample to a place like Polaris that does test for oxidation?

 

[JHZR2]

Can you request it? Oxidation and tbn are both important, IMO.

 

[racer12306]

Just looked on Blackstone's site. I'm not seeing a mention to oxidation testing. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests-price-list.php

They are saying that the insolubles test is giving an idea of oxidation. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/what-is-oil-analysis.php

 

[INDYMAC]

I think oxidation is important if you have the reference virgin value, and are doing long OCI's. But I consider TAN and TBN to be even more important.

 

[racer12306]

Would you say that if I were to have Blackstone read TBN and TAN along with their insolubles count, I would have a pretty good picture of what is going on?

 

[INDYMAC]

Do you know what the starting TBN and TAN are?

 

[racer12306]

I can only make a guess at the starting TBN to be the same as PQIA tested. They didn't test TAN on it though.

It's Pennzoil Ultra 5w30.

 

[racer12306]

I think I'm going to go with a Polaris sample kit and get the oxidation number.

Theoretically, the analysis, TBN and TAN numbers between Blackstone and Polaris should be the same.