I need some good advice and I don't know of a better place to get it than right here. I want to do an oil analysis on both my XK8 and my XJ6. What is the best lab to send an oil sample to get it tested. Think it is time to be sure that internal parts are wearing like they should in both engines. I also have a sample from the transmission. Might want to send that in also.

Any information regarding oil sample testing and where to get it would be greatly appreciated.

EZDriver 2000 XK8 1995 XJ6

 

Couldn't say that they are "the best" due to lack of experience with any others, but I used Blackstone Labs nearly 10 yrs ago for pre-buy analysis of my Excursion Engine and Transmission oil. They send a pretty detailed analysis. I'll try to find you a link and edit back. Additionally, you may want to pop over and join Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
which is the Ford Diesel forum. Lots of guys there into regular oil analysis and probably get a greater response-rate. Maybe look into boards for the Dodge (Cummins) and Chevy diesel trucks, too. I don't know what those sites are, but suspect their owners are likewise heavy into oil analysis.


HEre you are:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

I have been happy with Blackstone. They are reasonably priced and if you ask them questions they are very helpful.

 

Since you posted about oil analysis it brought to mind a study I read many years ago that made interesting reading. While not exactly scientific, the guy used good methodology in his study. It's worth the read.

Synthetic Oil Life Study

 

This information I learned while working for the government and doing alot of oil analysis. The difficulty is that ever type of engine wears defferently. We had to develope a base line for each type of engine. I other words what types of metals could you expect to see in a normal engine at a specific number of hours running. Some types of engines run really clean and until there is something obviously wrong there won't be anything evident in the oil. Talk to the lab. If they have a baseline on your type of engine great. If they don't you will get lab results that are difficult to interpret. Oil analysis seems like a good thing, but in real life its not the silver bullet.

 

Ditto that! ^^

 

Thanks guys for the great response. Very helpful information and I will follow up on the tips.

EZDriver 2000 XK8 1995 /xJ6

 

i just took my xjr transmission fluid sample today...it is kinda like giving the car a **** test...in the mail to blackstone...

 

I've used Blackstone, too. I don't have anything to compare them to, but they send a very detailed report. When you do an oil analysis on the same vehicle over time they compare the most recent sample to the prior samples you sent in. It's pretty cool.