1. Purchase a kit (see photo below).
2. Draw a sample (minimum 2 to 3 ounces) and send it to Oil Analyzers, Inc.
3. The laboratory will analyze your oil sample.
4. You will receive a diagnostic report that can determine the condition of the fluid and the vehicle/machinery from which the sample was taken.

What Can Oil Analysis Tell Me?

Analyzing used oil samples has existed as long as lubricants have been around. Oil analysis can provide critical information for any equipment requiring lubricants – both gasoline and diesel engines, transmission, gears, bearings and hydraulic systems. It's useful for owners of passenger cars, over-the-road fleets, off-highway equipment, boats and high performance vehicles. It's also right for any industrial plant equipment. Today 70 percent of construction equipment operators, 40 percent of transportation fleets and 20 percent of industrial plants rely on lube testing as an integral part of predictive/preventative maintenance.
     Oil analysis is a useful tool for extending the service life of an oil. When extending oil drains beyond the manufacturer's recommendation, it is necessary to include oil analysis at prescribed intervals to insure that your oil and engine are performing properly. By analyzing used engine oil, a qualified lab can determine the degree of protection that an oil is delivering and make certain the oil has not been contaminated due to engine malfunction or defect. Here are some issues oil analysis can answer for you:

• Viscosity out of spec, either high or low
• Water or coolant contamination
• Fuel dilution of crankcase oil
• Presence of fuel soot due to combustion inefficiencies
• Accelerated oxidation
• High nitration due to emission system problems
• TAN (Total Acid Number) – indicating overheating (for non-crankcase lubricants)
• TBN (Total Base Number) – indicating whether additives are still capable of providing adequate engine protection against corrosion (primarily for gasoline and diesel motor oils)
• Abnormal component wear in engines, gears, shafts and bearings
• Air filter failure
  

     Oil analysis also informs owners of the condition of their vehicle or machinery. It is most effective when samples are taken and analyzed at scheduled intervals. Comparing the most recent analysis to previous reports on a given vehicle or piece of equipment shows the development of trends. Monitoring these trends enables early detection of internal abnormalities. Test results that fall within acceptable limits may show a pattern of subtle variance, which could signal a developing mechanical problem and enable you to deal with it before it becomes a catastrophic situation.
     Using oil analysis to evaluate contaminants is a scientific approach to predictive maintenance. You'll extend vehicle or machine life, head off major maintenance costs and prevent catastrophic failure that can shut you down or leave you stranded. Oil analysis saves owners the cost of major repairs or engine replacement, and also allows owners to anticipate and schedule maintenance when downtime is most convenient.

Read about how a Mack Engine went 409,000 Miles without an oil change, based on the findings of used oil analysis, and see the results of his engine teardown.

Sampling Tips

For best results, oil samples should be taken immediately after equipment shutdown, while the equipment is still at operating temperature. Never sample a cold engine and always make sure the oil has been well circulated before taking a sample. Dirt, water and other debris tend to settle to the bottom of the reservoir while light fuels tend to float. This separation will compromise your analysis.
     Good locations for sampling include an oil gallery, the engine crankcase, the drain plug or dipstick tube and the equipment reservoir or sump. When taking oil from industrial machinery through a bottom drain, be careful to draw oil until your sample has a uniform, representative appearance. Use samples from the drain pan or oil filter only as a last resort. For a failed engine that has had the oil drained, a drain pan or oil filter sample may help detect the cause of the failure.
     Samples should always be taken in the same manner and from the same point. Do not sample a component directly after an oil change or after a large amount of makeup oil has been added. Use a clean, dry, unbreakable container. Never reuse containers or sampling tubing. Collect your sample using one of the following three methods.

Sampling Methods

1. Oil Drain Method

Clean the area around the drain plug thoroughly to avoid sample contamination. Allow oil to drain for three to five seconds prior to catching a sample. Place a clean, dry sample bottle in the oil stream and fill to within 1/2 inch of the top. Seal bottle tightly. Wipe bottle clean.

2. Sample Pump Method (photo below)
   
   Request a sample pump (G1206-EA) when ordering your sample kit. The pump will come with complete instructions and will enable you to draw a sample quickly and easily.

G1206-EA Oil Suction Pump with 10-foot hose

3. Sample Valve/Petcock Method (available on AMSOIL By-Pass Oil Filter Units)
   
   The valve should be wiped clean and any stagnant oil should be drained prior to catching a sample run. Seal bottle tightly. Wipe bottle clean.