Ram 6.4 oil sampling problem.

[Yjay]

I have an oil sampling hand pump to sample through the dipstick tube, but I cannot get the plastic tube to reach the oil for some reason. Anyone else had this problem? Anyone made it work? I want to do a sample before a big towing trip without changing the oil.
Thanks.

 

[Rand]

does the tube go in as far as the long dipstick?
measure vs dipstick.

 

[wwillson]

I had the same problem on my Duramax, the 1/4" tube would get stuck just before it got to the oil. 3/16" tubing works perfectly and the pump can accept several different sizes of tubing.

 

[Artem]

Sample cold from the drain plug.

 

[Yjay]

does the tube go in as far as the long dipstick?
measure vs dipstick.

It does not.

 

[Yjay]

I had the same problem on my Duramax, the 1/4" tube would get stuck just before it got to the oil. 3/16" tubing works perfectly and the pump can accept several different sizes of tubing.

That’s a good idea, I’ll try that.
Thanks.

 

[Rand]

It does not.

Then its getting hung up and you need a smaller one.
If you do end up using a smaller diameter hose make sure there are no joins to come apart in the dipstick tube etc.
ie the extension has to be longer than the length you need to insert it into vehicle.

 

[Yjay]

Well I finally figured it out. I bought the smallest rubber tubing I could get from Napa. I was able to fit inside a small piece of the 1/4” plastic tubing I had as an adapter for the pump. I had to cut the rubber tube at an angle to get it all the way down to the oil. It took forever to pump it, but it worked.
Now it’s off to Blackstone.

 

[OVERKILL]

Well I finally figured it out. I bought the smallest rubber tubing I could get from Napa. I was able to fit inside a small piece of the 1/4” plastic tubing I had as an adapter for the pump. I had to cut the rubber tube at an angle to get it all the way down to the oil. It took forever to pump it, but it worked.
Now it’s off to Blackstone.

If you are interested in fuel, I wouldn't use Blackstone, I'd use OAI/Polaris.

 

[Yjay]

If you are interested in fuel, I wouldn't use Blackstone, I'd use OAI/Polaris.

I’m more interested in viscosity and wear metals.
The engine only has 12000 miles on it. I’ve changed the oil at 6000 and 10000 miles, and both of the tests I’ve done stated low viscosity, which weirds me out a little.

 

[OVERKILL]

I’m more interested in viscosity and wear metals.
The engine only has 12000 miles on it. I’ve changed the oil at 6000 and 10000 miles, and both of the tests I’ve done stated low viscosity, which weirds me out a little.

That's why you should be interested in fuel, as it's typically the main driver in viscosity loss and Blackstone doesn't test properly for it.

 

[98 4Rnr]

I have the same problem as the OP. Not on my 4Rnr; I can draw samples out of it perfectly. Problem is with my wife's '08 300 Touring. Engine is the Chrysler 3.5L SOHC HO V6 (EGG). I put the 1/4" tube down the dipstick tube, but it "bottoms out" about 3" shorter than the length of the dipstick. Thus, somewhere deep down in this engine's dipstick tube, there's a constriction that will NOT allow the pump's 1/4" collection tube to pass beyond. Her car is consistently more of a pain in the a** to work on than my old 4Rnr!

Blackstone says their pump's tubing is standard 1/4" refrigerator tubing (icemaker supply line - I'm guessing - anyway doesn't matter). I will try the suggestion above and see if my Napa shop has any 3/16" tubing to see if smaller diameter tubing works. Will keep this thread forum posted.

Alternate work-around thoughts & suggestions are welcome (however, it is NOT realistic or feasible for me to collect a midstream sample by removing the oil pan's drain plug; others may have a nice garage and jacks, but this is NOT an option available to me unfortunately).

Thanx & HNY!!!

 

[98 4Rnr]

An Update:

Recall that I was never able to obtain any oil samples from my wife's Chry 300 because for some reason the 1/4" OD tubing that comes with my sample pump will NOT fit past the bottom end of her Chrysler HO 3.5L SOHC V6's dipstick sheath and into its oil sump. There is some type of "blockage" @ the bottom of the sheath that does NOT like 1/4" OD plastic tubing.

I obtained 3/16" OD plastic tubing from Amazon and tested it today. It fits! I was able to extract my own oil sample from her car for the first time! Hallelujah! Just wanted anyone who may read this post to know that if they have a similar engine, and no way of changing their own oil (& thus capturing a mid-stream oil sample from their oil drain plug), that the 3/16" OD (food grade) "stiff" plastic tubing from Amazon with work for them and it works quite well with a standard Blackstone (or other) vacuum oil sample pump that normally comes with 1/4" OD tubing. You just have to twist the tightening nut a little further, flattening the O-ring a bit more, to seal up the smaller tubing. I noticed while pumping that it drew a significantly stronger vacuum which I attribute to the smaller diameter tubing and the greater resistance thereby created.

Best to all!

 

[kschachn]

Blackstone says their pump's tubing is standard 1/4" refrigerator tubing (icemaker supply line - I'm guessing - anyway doesn't matter). I will try the suggestion above and see if my Napa shop has any 3/16" tubing to see if smaller diameter tubing works. Will keep this thread forum posted.

As already noted, just don't send your sample there.

 

[kschachn]

I’m more interested in viscosity and wear metals.
The engine only has 12000 miles on it. I’ve changed the oil at 6000 and 10000 miles, and both of the tests I’ve done stated low viscosity, which weirds me out a little.

They have issues with that as well. Go somewhere else as @OVERKILL has suggested.