I have ordered a free UOA kit from Blackstone which advertises testing for $22.95, but was wondering what lab most people here use and who has the best price ?
What are the Better UOA Test Labs ?
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I would say Blackstone is the best value $33 for a UOA plus TBN if you are just looking for how long you can stretch your OCIs and to keep an eye on wear, antifreeze and fuel dilution. Unless you have some sort of real issue with a high value piece of equipment (race car, ferrari, construction/farm equipment etc) or you just do this for a hobby and enjoy it I'm not sure what else Dyson can offer a person of average education that Blackstone does not.
More tests, more accurate tests, a personalized interpretation of your results by an expert, and the ability to keep a dialog with him via email for ideas and follow-up.
Blackstone is okay for telling you the condition of the oil and when to change it, but their wear numbers are pretty much just numbers. Blackstone's tests only catch a small range of particle sizes. Dyson's tests catch more, so the numbers are more meaningful.
In other words, if all you're interested in is the condition of your oil and whether there is coolant in it, then Blackstone is fine. If you actually want to know how your engine is doing (without taking it apart), you want Dyson.
Blackstone is okay for telling you the condition of the oil and when to change it, but their wear numbers are pretty much just numbers. Blackstone's tests only catch a small range of particle sizes. Dyson's tests catch more, so the numbers are more meaningful.
In other words, if all you're interested in is the condition of your oil and whether there is coolant in it, then Blackstone is fine. If you actually want to know how your engine is doing (without taking it apart), you want Dyson.
What about Polaris Labs? Anyone use them?
I have never heard of Dyson Analysis or Polaris Labs.
Is there a list anywhere on the forum ?
Is there a list anywhere on the forum ?
I don't know of a list on the forum.
The two places people use most on this forum are Blackstone and Oil Analyzers Inc.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
http://www.oaitesting.com/
Blackstone tends to make more errors. But they have great customer service and follow up. Oil Analyzers have their share of goofiness on the report headers, but they make less numerical errors, are lower cost and include a TBN in the regular analysis. I have used both and prefer OAI.
Terry Dyson is good if you want to take that first step into learning a lot about your oil, but he has his biases and recommends products he associates with - these products have changed over the years and in general are OK products, just not cure alls. If your lower cost UOA doesn't indicate any issues and your car is in good running order, no need for his services. If you just want to see if you have a coolant leak or if your oil just is not up to your change interval, any of the listed labs will be fine. Just don't get so mired down in 8 ppm of Fe at 8K vs. 11 ppm Fe at 10K as most experts here do.
The two places people use most on this forum are Blackstone and Oil Analyzers Inc.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
http://www.oaitesting.com/
Blackstone tends to make more errors. But they have great customer service and follow up. Oil Analyzers have their share of goofiness on the report headers, but they make less numerical errors, are lower cost and include a TBN in the regular analysis. I have used both and prefer OAI.
Terry Dyson is good if you want to take that first step into learning a lot about your oil, but he has his biases and recommends products he associates with - these products have changed over the years and in general are OK products, just not cure alls. If your lower cost UOA doesn't indicate any issues and your car is in good running order, no need for his services. If you just want to see if you have a coolant leak or if your oil just is not up to your change interval, any of the listed labs will be fine. Just don't get so mired down in 8 ppm of Fe at 8K vs. 11 ppm Fe at 10K as most experts here do.
Great info Pablo! Does Mr. Dyson have his own lab? Or does he use a lab and base his info on their results?
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Terry has his own lab, and will read other lab's tests. It's one of Blackstone's offered services.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/dyson-analysis.php
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/dyson-analysis.php
Well, he does not actually have his own lab, he uses a lab in Houston, TX, plus the Blackstone service listed above.
Thanks, I thought that was the case.
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Originally Posted By: Johnny
Well, he does not actually have his own lab, he uses a lab in Houston, TX, plus the Blackstone service listed above.
That's not the impression I got last time I had dialog with him. It was after the last big storm to hit Texas (I forget the name).
I mean ..in the past he surely indicated that he had a preferred lab, but he sure indicated that he was personally involved with getting it up and running after the storm.
Well, he does not actually have his own lab, he uses a lab in Houston, TX, plus the Blackstone service listed above.
That's not the impression I got last time I had dialog with him. It was after the last big storm to hit Texas (I forget the name).
I mean ..in the past he surely indicated that he had a preferred lab, but he sure indicated that he was personally involved with getting it up and running after the storm.
He very well may have been personally involved in getting it up & running since if they don't run samples, he doesn't get paid. However, that doesn't exclude the possibility that he has bought "shares" of the lab. I doubt it though.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Well, he does not actually have his own lab, he uses a lab in Houston, TX, plus the Blackstone service listed above.
That's not the impression I got last time I had dialog with him. It was after the last big storm to hit Texas (I forget the name).
I mean ..in the past he surely indicated that he had a preferred lab, but he sure indicated that he was personally involved with getting it up and running after the storm.
Terry uses the following lab:
MRT LABORATORIES, LLC
305 NEBRASKA
SOUTH HOUSTON, TX 77537
These are the sample kits that he sent me.
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Well, he does not actually have his own lab, he uses a lab in Houston, TX, plus the Blackstone service listed above.
That's not the impression I got last time I had dialog with him. It was after the last big storm to hit Texas (I forget the name).
I mean ..in the past he surely indicated that he had a preferred lab, but he sure indicated that he was personally involved with getting it up and running after the storm.
Terry uses the following lab:
MRT LABORATORIES, LLC
305 NEBRASKA
SOUTH HOUSTON, TX 77537
These are the sample kits that he sent me.
I have used Blackstone and thought they were pretty good. Then some one mentioned that they had a fuel dilution issue in their Prius and I sent a sample to Terry Dyson to check things out. I did have fuel dilution which I was missing at Blackstone. So I agree with those people who suggested Dyson Analysis, especially if you own a car that is known to have fuel dilution issues. Otherwise Blackstone may be fine.
Originally Posted By: lipadj46
I would say Blackstone is the best value $33 for a UOA plus TBN
If you go with Wearcheck, $24 will get you the same info as Blackstone and TAN on top of it.
I would say Blackstone is the best value $33 for a UOA plus TBN
If you go with Wearcheck, $24 will get you the same info as Blackstone and TAN on top of it.
There's no way I'd pay as much as Dyson charges. Then again, my financial status isn't as nice as others. I won't lie, maybe if I made exceptionally good money, I'd possibly use them. Some people say it's worth it, me... all I need to see is the numbers. I can diagnose it myself 
I think the most important thing is staying with the same company so you get consistent results. Blackstone is cheap, but sometimes they make mistakes.
I think the most important thing is staying with the same company so you get consistent results. Blackstone is cheap, but sometimes they make mistakes.
Wow, some really good information and interesting comments, thanks fella's.
I got my Blackstone kit in today's mail, so I will drop the oil tomorrow and get it sent to Fort Wayne, IN. on Monday.
Can't wait for the results and will post them up on this board.
Might as well put the link up here for continutity, also.
I got my Blackstone kit in today's mail, so I will drop the oil tomorrow and get it sent to Fort Wayne, IN. on Monday.
Can't wait for the results and will post them up on this board.
Might as well put the link up here for continutity, also.
blackstone gives a free first report?
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