I recently sent in a virgin oil sample to two labs: OAI and BlackStone. The results weren't exactly accurate... in fact, they were very inaccurate across the sample runs. Take a look: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3170474#Post3170474
Are UOAs/VOAs reliable? Across those 3 sample runs by 2 different companies, the only consistent value was the lack of contaminants from the bottle. But everything else from the viscosity to TBN to add pack values were all different by a WIDE margin, sometimes even within the same company's testing.
Am I right to question the validity of these tests? I'm really starting to think they have little to no usefulness, practically or theoretically.
Are UOAs/VOAs reliable? Across those 3 sample runs by 2 different companies, the only consistent value was the lack of contaminants from the bottle. But everything else from the viscosity to TBN to add pack values were all different by a WIDE margin, sometimes even within the same company's testing.
Am I right to question the validity of these tests? I'm really starting to think they have little to no usefulness, practically or theoretically.