Used Oil Analysis "UOA"

[BertieBlue]

Anyone think the title of "Used Oil Analysis" is somewhat of a misonomer, and perhaps a unfortunate one at that?

I'm new to this stuff (obviously lol) but the idea of UOA interests me. The first thing i think of when looking at the subject is: "Why 'Used'" Why not just "Oil Analysis" the title predisposes the subject to analysis of oil after its been put in the bin. I appreciate that doing so can tell you much, but isn't is disregarding a major advantage of Oil analysis (Keeping it in the machine and ensuring it is used to its fullest)

I was of the impression that Oil analysis was for taking a sample of oil mid-life and formulating when its due for replacement. My (Cursory) readings here atm, suggest that its more of a backwards looking exercise (back patting?)

My car has 24mth/15k oil service intervals. I'd have thought the better thing to do was to do a "oil analysis" mid-life (12 months) and look how long i can keep it going (or if i have any engine issues) rather than doing a "Used oil analysis" and getting a letter back telling me that my oil which i have poured in the bin was still good for another 5000 miles.

Thoughts?

 

[charbaby]

I prefer myself, to keep them seperated as we also have Virgin Oil Analysis(VOA). I'd prefer to search the catigorys seperately(mostly UOA) rather than clump them together. That's just me!

 

[Donald]

Many people are looking for trends for contaminants and similar info. Thus a used oil analysis when the oil is changed is fine.

I think if the cost were $1.00 and quick many people would do it more than once per oil change.

I did it at around 12K for my Cummins diesel and will do it again at 18K when I change the oil. The oil sump is 12 QTs however so not the cost of the used oil analysis vs oil starts to come into play.

 

[yonyon]

What's wrong with calling it UOA? Oil that's currently in service is used oil if not necessarily used up. The numbers on the UOA reflect the use.

 

[volk06]

UOA = used
VOA = virgin

It's nice to be able to tell the difference.

 

[A_Harman]

Even if you do a mid-life sample for oil analysis without draining, it's still used oil, so the term "Used Oil Analysis" still applies.

Some people here do take mid-life samples and use the data to project when to change their oil.

Others drain it and get a used oil analysis, then use the data to extend their next oil change interval to the appropriate length.

It's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

When someone does it on a new oil it's a VOA - virgin oil analysis

 

[EddieCairns]

Bertie Blue

I'm afraid you have not thought your logic out re mid cycle sampling in a private car.

In a major gas turbine offshore and possibly costing say £1,500,000 in lost production if it is not operating and say £5,000 to change the oil, yes you do fortnightly oil sampling to monitor the state of the key asset. At a cost of £50 Euro 60 per sample.

In the UK it costs £45 Euro 54 to get a decent car used oil analysis and if you send it to Blackstones in the States with postage and TBN say £23 Euro 27 to do a used oil analysis plus about £20 Euro 24 for a sample pump.

You can get an oil filter and oil for say £30 Euro 36 for most 2ltr or less cars, if you have a large engine it will be a bit more.

Therefore there is little economic sense in the case of a private car to do mid oci sample of the engine oil as you would be no more expensive to just change the oil.

So it is up to you to look at the sampling cost vs possible saving in oil change cost which in all likely hood will be zero saving.

eddie

 

[BertieBlue]

I had no idea used oil analysis was so expensive ( i thought they were Vcheap kits)

Good point.

That kinda cost makes the whole issue a bit messier...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: BertieBlue
The first thing i think of when looking at the subject is: "Why 'Used'" Why not just "Oil Analysis" the title predisposes the subject to analysis of oil after its been put in the bin. I appreciate that doing so can tell you much, but isn't is disregarding a major advantage of Oil analysis (Keeping it in the machine and ensuring it is used to its fullest)

That's why it's called Used Oil Analysis and not Used up Oil Analysis.


"Used" does not necessarily mean "no good anymore." When someone says he has a "used car", do you automatically assume it's in the junk yard?