Question: Which UOA Vendor/Lab To Use?

[dasb00t]

Hi all -- this is my first post. My apologies if this isn't the correct forum.

I know most people seem to use Blackstone for UOA. Their prices seem reasonable, and I haven't heard anything "bad" about them. But, I was wondering about other vendors: like ALS Tribology, or Caterpillar's "SOS" (Scheduled Oil Sample) program.

Which vendor(s) do you use, and why?

I have a freshly rebuilt engine (3.4L Flat Six M97 in an '06 Porsche Cayman S). It was a pricey endeavor to complete the rebuild, and I occasionally take the car to the track, so I want to keep tabs on my oil. I'm also an engineer, so I can certainly appreciate statistics, precision, accuracy and the like. Also, a slightly higher price wouldn't concern me if I was getting what I paid for.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Welcome to BITOG!

Maybe others will chime in with more recent information, but here is one prior thread to get you started:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4008561/Best_Oil_Analysis?#Post4008561

I myself use Wearcheck - they provide more detail than Blackstone for less money.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Napa has a good UOA kit. Part #4077

It's about $15 and includes TBN.

Same as the Wix UOA kit (24077), but Napa usually has the best price on it.

 

[Matagonka]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Napa has a good UOA kit. Part #4077

It's about $15 and includes TBN.

Same as the Wix UOA kit (24077), but Napa usually has the best price on it.


I'll give Napa a try.

 

[JimPghPA]

.

 

[dasb00t]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Welcome to BITOG!

Maybe others will chime in with more recent information, but here is one prior thread to get you started:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4008561/Best_Oil_Analysis?#Post4008561

I myself use Wearcheck - they provide more detail than Blackstone for less money.


Hey Quattro -- Wearcheck sounds like a great value. Have you used Dyson before?

Also, thanks for the link to the thread you provided. Lots of great info there.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Napa has a good UOA kit. Part #4077

It's about $15 and includes TBN.

Same as the Wix UOA kit (24077), but Napa usually has the best price on it.


ALS Tribology processes the NAPA/Wix kit.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Napa has a good UOA kit. Part #4077

It's about $15 and includes TBN.

Same as the Wix UOA kit (24077), but Napa usually has the best price on it.


NAPA is about the best price and includes TBN or TAN. Some other ones you pay extra for TBN (Blackstone).

Polaris (OAI also) are more expensive but offer Oxidization and Nitration. Oxidization is the condition of the base oil stock.

If you buy a 10 pack of Polaris tests, its only a little more than NAPA.