Batman #1 - oil question
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Batman #1 - oil question I sent my engine oil sample to Blackstone last week; i requested the royal treatment - $30!
When do suspect I will get a responce; what can I expect?
When do suspect I will get a responce; what can I expect?
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Batman #1 - oil question It usually takes them about 2-3 business days to process your sample once they recieve it, so it depends on when the sample arrives at the lab. Hopefully you didn't just send it in via regular US mail, otherwise it could take a while to get there. Sending it UPS or Fedex is better.
I have no idea what you can expect, it all depends on what oil you ran and how hard you drive. Let me know your results when you get them.
I have no idea what you can expect, it all depends on what oil you ran and how hard you drive. Let me know your results when you get them.
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Batman #1 - oil question OK thanks..
...I sent it back in the US mail - dumb right? Live and learn...
It was not clear in the Blackstone directions what the additional $10 - over and above the base price of $20 covered....I assume I'll get some narrative telling me not to use Fram filters again....
Oh well, it should be interesting since this is the first analysis after the H/C, lifters, oil pump, timing chain, rockers, etc. swap....I'm not sure it will be representative since the break-in of the new parts should result in additional metals in the sample; right?
Anyway, I told them about the swap in the oil sample package I mailed to them for analysis...
...If I do this again, I think I will ommit any narrative so I get a non-biased report on the condition of the oil/motor... I still suspect they shade their findings based on whether they like the oil and filter you are using and the car you drive....
...I mean if I was doing the oil analysis, and a Ford Mustang guy mailed me a sample I would tell him his motor is about to blow and to trade it in on a Chevy quick... Its only natural; right?
...I sent it back in the US mail - dumb right? Live and learn...
It was not clear in the Blackstone directions what the additional $10 - over and above the base price of $20 covered....I assume I'll get some narrative telling me not to use Fram filters again....
Oh well, it should be interesting since this is the first analysis after the H/C, lifters, oil pump, timing chain, rockers, etc. swap....I'm not sure it will be representative since the break-in of the new parts should result in additional metals in the sample; right?
Anyway, I told them about the swap in the oil sample package I mailed to them for analysis...
...If I do this again, I think I will ommit any narrative so I get a non-biased report on the condition of the oil/motor... I still suspect they shade their findings based on whether they like the oil and filter you are using and the car you drive....
...I mean if I was doing the oil analysis, and a Ford Mustang guy mailed me a sample I would tell him his motor is about to blow and to trade it in on a Chevy quick... Its only natural; right?
Re: Batman #1 - oil question I would assume that more information is better. The lab wont shade their findings. If they do you need to find another lab. Post the results when you get them.
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Batman #1 - oil question ...Ok but I always thought it was not useful to provide lots of info in an analysis like this....sort of like faxing your current insurance policy complete with premium information to obtain another independent quote....yeh to compare policy coverage send in the current coverage but do not give them the premium information....
Same with oil analysis; right? ...if the analysis guy hates Royal Purple and Fram filters he's going to interpret the results to conclude your choice is not performing well ....and then he is likely to recommend that you should switch to Moble One and Puralater......
...I think this happened to Patman#1; he tested Royal Purple and Frams and the analysis guy told him not to use the stuff...
...someone else, however, sent in an annonomus sample for analysis and got great results ...what did that guy use???? ...Royal Purpole and Fram... ...So you know that the results will reflect the opinions of the person performing the analysis...
Same with oil analysis; right? ...if the analysis guy hates Royal Purple and Fram filters he's going to interpret the results to conclude your choice is not performing well ....and then he is likely to recommend that you should switch to Moble One and Puralater......
...I think this happened to Patman#1; he tested Royal Purple and Frams and the analysis guy told him not to use the stuff...
...someone else, however, sent in an annonomus sample for analysis and got great results ...what did that guy use???? ...Royal Purpole and Fram... ...So you know that the results will reflect the opinions of the person performing the analysis...
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Batman #1 - oil question Blackstone labs is a very unbiased lab, they play no favorites at all when it comes to oil brands.
The additional $10 gets you the TBN test, which honestly isn't needed unless you're planning on doing extended intervals. TBN stands for Total Base Number, and shows you how much active acid neutralizing capability is left in your oil. But if you're going to do 3k changes anyways, any oil will still have a decent TBN by 3k. TBN is one factor in deciding how far you can go on your intervals, because you can determine at what point the oil "crashes" as you can see the TBN drop fast at that point.
As far as sampling right after a heads/cam swap, be prepared to see a lot of wear metals in there from the breaking in of the new parts. Plus with the combination of assembly lube and new gaskets, you'll probably see very high silicon and very high moly numbers too (which is nothing to worry about mind you). I would've waited until the second or even third interval after opening up the engine like that.
The additional $10 gets you the TBN test, which honestly isn't needed unless you're planning on doing extended intervals. TBN stands for Total Base Number, and shows you how much active acid neutralizing capability is left in your oil. But if you're going to do 3k changes anyways, any oil will still have a decent TBN by 3k. TBN is one factor in deciding how far you can go on your intervals, because you can determine at what point the oil "crashes" as you can see the TBN drop fast at that point.
As far as sampling right after a heads/cam swap, be prepared to see a lot of wear metals in there from the breaking in of the new parts. Plus with the combination of assembly lube and new gaskets, you'll probably see very high silicon and very high moly numbers too (which is nothing to worry about mind you). I would've waited until the second or even third interval after opening up the engine like that.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Batman #1 - oil question
...Ok but I always thought it was not useful to provide lots of info in an analysis like this....sort of like faxing your current insurance policy complete with premium information to obtain another independent quote....yeh to compare policy coverage send in the current coverage but do not give them the premium information....
Same with oil analysis; right? ...if the analysis guy hates Royal Purple and Fram filters he's going to interpret the results to conclude your choice is not performing well ....and then he is likely to recommend that you should switch to Moble One and Puralater......
...I think this happened to Patman#1; he tested Royal Purple and Frams and the analysis guy told him not to use the stuff...
...someone else, however, sent in an annonomus sample for analysis and got great results ...what did that guy use???? ...Royal Purpole and Fram... ...So you know that the results will reflect the opinions of the person performing the analysis...
Same with oil analysis; right? ...if the analysis guy hates Royal Purple and Fram filters he's going to interpret the results to conclude your choice is not performing well ....and then he is likely to recommend that you should switch to Moble One and Puralater......
...I think this happened to Patman#1; he tested Royal Purple and Frams and the analysis guy told him not to use the stuff...
...someone else, however, sent in an annonomus sample for analysis and got great results ...what did that guy use???? ...Royal Purpole and Fram... ...So you know that the results will reflect the opinions of the person performing the analysis...
If you want an indepth interpretation of your oil analysis results from Blackstone, that's where you ask them for their Terry Dyson package. It's $35 and includes TBN. With Terry, you can then ask him a ton of questions and he'll get more in depth in working with you to help determine a way to lower your engine wear. Terry does not work for Blackstone, he's independant on his own, but has worked out a deal to interpret the Blackstone reports like this. He has taught me a TON of stuff about oil analysis since I begun using his services in 2002.
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Batman #1 - oil question ...so if you did a sample analysis on a new car at 3K then you would expect to see lots of metals in the sample?
..I won't sleep well if they tell me any bad news....if your motor is truly terminal will they give you the news easy...like - they don't just send you a letter saying it is likely your motor will seize in within the next few extended intervals right?
...what exactly is an extended interval, anyway?
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Batman #1 - oil question In most cases yes, if you see an oil analysis on the factory fill of oil it's usually very high in wear metals, but it comes down a lot on the second and third intervals.
As far as an extended interval, most people consider anything beyond 3k an extended interval, although Amsoil users typically say that a 6 or 7k interval is a short interval and anything beyond 10k is extended. It all depends on who you talk to.
If something is seriously wrong with your engine (which is unlikely) then they'll generally tell it like it is, they'll say to take immediate action if necessary.
As far as an extended interval, most people consider anything beyond 3k an extended interval, although Amsoil users typically say that a 6 or 7k interval is a short interval and anything beyond 10k is extended. It all depends on who you talk to.
If something is seriously wrong with your engine (which is unlikely) then they'll generally tell it like it is, they'll say to take immediate action if necessary.
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Batman #1 - oil question Where do you purchase Amsoil motor oil; do they make other lubricants - rear end, tranny, power steering, brake fluids, etc.?
I have never seen this oil in the many places that usually sell motor oil; can it be purchased by mail or on the Internet?
Why would you consider an extended interval; is this mostly a cost decision or is it a labor avoidance issue or both?
Thanx...
I have never seen this oil in the many places that usually sell motor oil; can it be purchased by mail or on the Internet?
Why would you consider an extended interval; is this mostly a cost decision or is it a labor avoidance issue or both?
Thanx...
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Batman #1 - oil question The main reason for extended intervals is simply because there is no need to waste perfectly good oil if it's still doing it's job. If you can do half the number of oil changes over the life of your vehicle, but still get the same amount of engine life, you've saved yourself a lot of time and money and are not putting out as much waste oil either.
Amsoil is sold in a lot of places, you can buy it from the internet, you can find a local independant dealer, or some speed shops even sell it. We have three Amsoil dealers who are sponsors of the BOBISTHEOILGUY.com message board and they could help you out. Amsoil makes all kinds of fluids, tranny fluid, rear end fluid, etc.
Amsoil is sold in a lot of places, you can buy it from the internet, you can find a local independant dealer, or some speed shops even sell it. We have three Amsoil dealers who are sponsors of the BOBISTHEOILGUY.com message board and they could help you out. Amsoil makes all kinds of fluids, tranny fluid, rear end fluid, etc.
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Batman #1 - oil question really? The "waste oil" is never wasted, however, right?
...The last time I checked, used crankcase oil ends up being filtered and pumped back into your home heating oil tank for about $2 per gallon...
...sort of like the used freedom fry grease at McDonalds that ends up being processed into MaxFactor lipstick...(Uyk!)
...The last time I checked, used crankcase oil ends up being filtered and pumped back into your home heating oil tank for about $2 per gallon...
...sort of like the used freedom fry grease at McDonalds that ends up being processed into MaxFactor lipstick...(Uyk!)