Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

> Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict or
> to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may not
> fail in six months.

I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
needed a mirror to find it.

Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
(certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

HLS@nospam.nix wrote:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message news:Hs-dne3qiY--
> > you don't wait for a plane's engine to fail in flight [if you can avoid
> > it!] do you?
>
> Are you saying that aircraft turbines are serviced based on oil analysis?


More likely the gasoline or diesel propeller engines in smaller
aircraft (Cessna, etc).

They still use lead in gasoline aircraft engines, from what I hear...

Michael

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

HLS@nospam.nix wrote:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message news:Hs-dne3qiY--
> > you don't wait for a plane's engine to fail in flight [if you can avoid
> > it!] do you?
>
> Are you saying that aircraft turbines are serviced based on oil analysis?


More likely the gasoline or diesel propeller engines in smaller
aircraft (Cessna, etc).

They still use lead in gasoline aircraft engines, from what I hear...

Michael

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

HLS@nospam.nix wrote:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message news:Hs-dne3qiY--
> > you don't wait for a plane's engine to fail in flight [if you can avoid
> > it!] do you?
>
> Are you saying that aircraft turbines are serviced based on oil analysis?


More likely the gasoline or diesel propeller engines in smaller
aircraft (Cessna, etc).

They still use lead in gasoline aircraft engines, from what I hear...

Michael

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Nobody Important" <Dr.Xenon1@gmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:lvoAg.33035$pu3.440284@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Mike Marlow wrote:
>
> > Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict
or
> > to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may
not
> > fail in six months.
>
> I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
> showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
> suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
> filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
> shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
> chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
> intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
> needed a mirror to find it.
>
> Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
> unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
> (certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

Perhaps shortened, and perhaps never to be discovered. Equally - routine
air filter maintenance would have made the peanut shells apparent and likely
the resulting efforts to find the hole. At what cost? Likely, very little
to no cost with even an annual look at the filter.

However - in the context of the text quoted above - my comment was in direct
response to the assertion by jim beam that there was a reason to believe oil
analysis could predict engine failures which were likely to occur within six
months. Poppy .

Again though I will submit the question... What is your definition of
shortened? From 200,000 to 150,000 miles? To 75,000 miles? To 190,000
miles? What was the actual damage or effect on the engine from the shells
and the hole? Admittedly it could be significant over time, but that's not
guaranteed. Will it cause an imminent failure? I propose it will not.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Nobody Important" <Dr.Xenon1@gmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:lvoAg.33035$pu3.440284@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Mike Marlow wrote:
>
> > Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict
or
> > to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may
not
> > fail in six months.
>
> I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
> showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
> suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
> filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
> shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
> chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
> intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
> needed a mirror to find it.
>
> Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
> unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
> (certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

Perhaps shortened, and perhaps never to be discovered. Equally - routine
air filter maintenance would have made the peanut shells apparent and likely
the resulting efforts to find the hole. At what cost? Likely, very little
to no cost with even an annual look at the filter.

However - in the context of the text quoted above - my comment was in direct
response to the assertion by jim beam that there was a reason to believe oil
analysis could predict engine failures which were likely to occur within six
months. Poppy .

Again though I will submit the question... What is your definition of
shortened? From 200,000 to 150,000 miles? To 75,000 miles? To 190,000
miles? What was the actual damage or effect on the engine from the shells
and the hole? Admittedly it could be significant over time, but that's not
guaranteed. Will it cause an imminent failure? I propose it will not.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Nobody Important" <Dr.Xenon1@gmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:lvoAg.33035$pu3.440284@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Mike Marlow wrote:
>
> > Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict
or
> > to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may
not
> > fail in six months.
>
> I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
> showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
> suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
> filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
> shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
> chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
> intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
> needed a mirror to find it.
>
> Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
> unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
> (certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

Perhaps shortened, and perhaps never to be discovered. Equally - routine
air filter maintenance would have made the peanut shells apparent and likely
the resulting efforts to find the hole. At what cost? Likely, very little
to no cost with even an annual look at the filter.

However - in the context of the text quoted above - my comment was in direct
response to the assertion by jim beam that there was a reason to believe oil
analysis could predict engine failures which were likely to occur within six
months. Poppy .

Again though I will submit the question... What is your definition of
shortened? From 200,000 to 150,000 miles? To 75,000 miles? To 190,000
miles? What was the actual damage or effect on the engine from the shells
and the hole? Admittedly it could be significant over time, but that's not
guaranteed. Will it cause an imminent failure? I propose it will not.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Larry in AZ wrote:
> Waiving the right to remain silent, "rmac" <nospam@nospam.com> said:
>
>
>>"dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>>news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
>>
>>>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...intervals-via-
>>>analysis/
>>
>>Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>>avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> What a load of mumbo-jumbo for obsessed people. Hell - just change the oil
> at the recommended intervals and be done with it...
>


The big value of doing an occassional oil analysis is to catch
mechanical problems when they are small and before more damage is done.

Case in point: Oil analysis caught the leak in the intake manifold of
our 2003 Olds Silhoette by detecting small amounts of anti-freeze in the
oil. This allowed us to get it fixed while the car was still under the
extended warranty and before bearing damage had been done.

$20 once per year for a "blood test" is well worth it IMO.


John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Larry in AZ wrote:
> Waiving the right to remain silent, "rmac" <nospam@nospam.com> said:
>
>
>>"dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>>news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
>>
>>>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...intervals-via-
>>>analysis/
>>
>>Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>>avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> What a load of mumbo-jumbo for obsessed people. Hell - just change the oil
> at the recommended intervals and be done with it...
>


The big value of doing an occassional oil analysis is to catch
mechanical problems when they are small and before more damage is done.

Case in point: Oil analysis caught the leak in the intake manifold of
our 2003 Olds Silhoette by detecting small amounts of anti-freeze in the
oil. This allowed us to get it fixed while the car was still under the
extended warranty and before bearing damage had been done.

$20 once per year for a "blood test" is well worth it IMO.


John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Larry in AZ wrote:
> Waiving the right to remain silent, "rmac" <nospam@nospam.com> said:
>
>
>>"dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>>news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
>>
>>>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...intervals-via-
>>>analysis/
>>
>>Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>>avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> What a load of mumbo-jumbo for obsessed people. Hell - just change the oil
> at the recommended intervals and be done with it...
>


The big value of doing an occassional oil analysis is to catch
mechanical problems when they are small and before more damage is done.

Case in point: Oil analysis caught the leak in the intake manifold of
our 2003 Olds Silhoette by detecting small amounts of anti-freeze in the
oil. This allowed us to get it fixed while the car was still under the
extended warranty and before bearing damage had been done.

$20 once per year for a "blood test" is well worth it IMO.


John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

>
> To each his own as it relates to engine oil analysis, and as has been said -
> it's your money. It's foolish to think though that this analysis is going
> to offer the protection you are suggesting here.
>


Oil analysis is no cure all, but can and does catch problems like fuel
dilution and anti-freeze contamination of motor oil.

Just because you have never used a tool and don't appreciate it doesn't
make you an expert :).

John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

>
> To each his own as it relates to engine oil analysis, and as has been said -
> it's your money. It's foolish to think though that this analysis is going
> to offer the protection you are suggesting here.
>


Oil analysis is no cure all, but can and does catch problems like fuel
dilution and anti-freeze contamination of motor oil.

Just because you have never used a tool and don't appreciate it doesn't
make you an expert :).

John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

>
> To each his own as it relates to engine oil analysis, and as has been said -
> it's your money. It's foolish to think though that this analysis is going
> to offer the protection you are suggesting here.
>


Oil analysis is no cure all, but can and does catch problems like fuel
dilution and anti-freeze contamination of motor oil.

Just because you have never used a tool and don't appreciate it doesn't
make you an expert :).

John

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Nobody Important" <Dr.Xenon1@gmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:lvoAg.33035$pu3.440284@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Mike Marlow wrote:
>
> > Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict
or
> > to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may
not
> > fail in six months.
>
> I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
> showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
> suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
> filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
> shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
> chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
> intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
> needed a mirror to find it.
>
> Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
> unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
> (certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

I would have found it out without an oil analysis, because I replace
my air filters regularly. It's cheaper, and less ambiguous, than spending
money on an oil analysis and analyst.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Nobody Important" <Dr.Xenon1@gmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:lvoAg.33035$pu3.440284@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Mike Marlow wrote:
>
> > Simply - that analysis does not, cannot, and does not pretend to predict
or
> > to even offer the foundation for a prediction that an engine may or may
not
> > fail in six months.
>
> I got an oil analysis done at Blackstone Labs just a few weeks ago. It
> showed elevated levels of silicon. A third party analyst, Terry Dyson,
> suggested that I had an air filtration problem, possibly that the air
> filter was being bypassed. I pulled the air filter and found peanut
> shells in the floor of the airbox. It turned out that a squirrel had
> chewed a hole in the underside of the hose connecting the airbox to the
> intake manifold. The hole was not visible to a casual inspection; I
> needed a mirror to find it.
>
> Had it not been for the oil analysis, I would have been feeding
> unfiltered air and nut shells to the engine for the rest of its
> (certainly shortened) life. It was worth the $30 to find this out.

I would have found it out without an oil analysis, because I replace
my air filters regularly. It's cheaper, and less ambiguous, than spending
money on an oil analysis and analyst.