Oil Analysis

What is Oil Analysis?

Oil analysis is the process of analyzing lubricating oil properties for fluid properties. This allows a look internal engine component wear and performance without engine disassembly. Engine length of life and reliability can be extended by including oil analysis in maintenance program.

Three common properties of oil tested are:

Fluid Properties – Checks for correct oil and additive, additive depletion and viscosity
Contamination – Checks for type of contaminants in oil, contaminate origins, foreign liquid intrusion
Wear from Debris – Checks for particles produced from mechanical wear. This aids in determining the internal condition of the engine

Obtain Oil Sample

The first step in analyzing oil is to collect a sample of oil from the engine. It is not advised to obtain this sample by draining oil and capturing it from the drain plug. Obtaining the sample in this fashion will supply inaccurate information.

Kits are created to sample the oil without draining it. Make sure fill tube or dipstick tube area is clean. Kits include: container, line, vacuum device. Container is threaded into vacuum device and line attached. Insert line of vacuum device into engine fill tube or dip stick tube until the end is located at the engine oil pan half way point. Draw oil into sample container by operating hand device.
Label the container with facility name, engine information and date.

Analyzing Oil

More than one choice exists when for analyzing oil samples. The two most common practices are:

Laboratory Testing – Outside source provides oil analysis. Lab provides written results that indicate pass or fail. Will provide generic advice. May have to submit results to engine manufacturer for advanced consulting.
Engine Manufacturer Supplied Test Kit – This style of kit is supplied by the engine manufacturer. Many times basic and advanced kits can be purchased. Tests are individually packaged. Instructions and result interpretation are contained in most kits and many have online support to aid with questions. These kits are a true home run when seeking service engineering advice from the manufacturer.

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