Good afternoon. I’m planning on sending an oil sample off to see what I can learn from it, If anything. Who has done this, and who would you recommend using for this? Thanks.

It has been a while since I did it but I am considering it again. I will send in a virgin sample of my oil, then a sample from the engine at however many runs you like to put on it. That way you can see what is contaminating the oil without a question of if it were there before. Titanium is something that comes to mind. Was it there or are your retainers/valves putting it in the oil.

I plan to use these guys.

https://www.speediagnostix.com...-01-22T12%3A16%3A01Z

I use Blackstone Laboratories. They send you a test kit/s free. Put your sample in the test bottle, place in the pre-addressed envelope and my USPS carrier picks it up (scans) package at the mailbox. Blackstone gets sample and process within 2 weeks. $40 total charge to the CC. If using Blackstone fill out the included information ticket in “Pencil”.

Here’s what they e-mail back (the red print is mine not Blackstone)



I’m interested in what oil looks like 50+ runs compared to other oils I’ve used. I’m considering trying Driven GP-1 semi-synthetic 10w30 this year only because it’s listed as being Pennsylvania grade base like Penn Grade (Brad Penn).

Was given this link on another forum about this. Lake Speed JR. He has a testing business as well. Really good info here. From what I can tell from this, Driven oils may be a good consideration. Will likely send a sample to them.

https://youtu.be/tohBEVErQ3k

quote:

Originally posted by BTR69: Lake Speed JR. has a testing business as well. Will likely send a sample to them.

If sending sample to LS jr it would be great if you shared the results and cost with this forum after receiving them.

Driven has there own testing . If i remember correctly cost was $25.00 Give them a call.

Gday Mark,
What version /range of maxima were you using and how’d it go with the alcohol?
Cheers
Paul

quote:

What version /range of maxima were you using and how’d it go with the alcohol?

Maxima 10w30 RS Full Synthetic, no problems

Cool,
Thanks Mark!

We have been using Schaeffer Oils testing. I get about 10 sample bottles when I order $400.00 worth of product. Usually, I get enough diesel oil for change in the Cummins and the rest is 20/50 Micron Moly Race oil. Both engines are alky SBC about 600-700 HP.
Excellent way to see if there is a problem. Had one test showed some glycol (I run about 5% antifreeze to fight rust) and they sent a warning. Leak tested the 406 and had a head gasket leaking into water jacket.
Another interesting test showed a lot higher brass/bronze and I got an alert. Pulled distributor and the gear was about to come apart. Filter got it all but could have been ugly.
I won't race without oil testing, the engines I build cost a lot of $$ and they are NOTHING compared to what REAL RACE engines cost.
Jok

I've dealt with Blackstone for about 10 years and sent samples to the from the family cars as well as the race car. A couple years ago I sent Lake an email and asked his opinion on what I was using at the time. He told me the Blackstone's testing isn't as good as his because XY and Z. His explaination was way over my head. The bottom line is that Lake's testing is better and more expensive. I haven't sent a sample to Lake.

I ordered and have received a sampling kit from Speediagnostix, Lake Speed jr company. 2 bottles/samples to send in. Not the lowest cost option, but highly recommended by others I've asked about this. They have a couple options of testing, which I opted for the more detailed analysis. I expect to send the sample in early next week, and I believe they say results will be sent to me within 3 days of their receiving the samples. Thanks for the input here. I'll post results once I receive them.

Happy Sunday y'all. Got the results from Speediagnostix Friday afternoon and looked it over yesterday. Drug my feet a bit in sending it to them. Sent to them Monday afternoon last week and got results in 4 days. Results are a little eye opening/concerning, yet also optimistic. Report layout looks similar to the picture markemark showed. Particle count is high. Red flagged the Iron and Chromium content. Yellow flagged Silicon and copper. Noted in the comments/recommendations, they mention the high/abnormal wear could likely be due to rust from the long term storage. I figured there could be some measure of rust after sitting for 10 years, but didn't see anything of concern with a borescope prior to firing it back up. That oil was was Brad Penn 20-50, freshly changed in 2014 when my brother last drove it and only had 15 or so runs on it, 4 of them being January this year. I changed the oil with Valvoline VR1 20-50 before the last outing in Feb. Put 4 runs on it, then found out about the lack of Moly in it. Swapped that out yesterday with Lucas racing 20-50 at a friends recommendation, due to high moly content. Sending the 4 run Valvoline in this week, not sure what to expect after only 4 runs, but didn't want to keep it due to no moly content. Maybe the high metals content is from rust that isn't there anymore? Sending a sample of the Lucas also, to have some measure of a baseline of new oil. Hoping for good/better news with this next sample.