lab analysis of your engines condition

[vettestr]

Looking for your feedback and if something you would consider having checked on your engine? Please read the info and give me your thoughts. This analysis can identify every contaminate in the oil and at what amount or parts per million. Just for locals as you can order direct of net in your area, just looking for volume discounts here for local members.
For years I have believed in and have had my engine oil sent to a lab for analysis on my tow rigs, any used vehicle before purchase and so on. I have not been using on my race engines as they are taken apart for inspection and replacement of consumable parts anyway.
The company I use is after me to reduce my costs by buying 20 kits at a time for about a 25% cost reduction. If enough local guys want them it would make sense for all. You can buy a single test (via internet) for 20 to 50 bucks depending on the tests performed. The Cobra engines as well as tow rigs would be a good candidate now that I think about it.
You need a small sample of crankcase oil to fill a jar they provide. Then they analysis to tell you everything from oil condition in terms of breakdown to what metals are found and how much. Cast iron or chrome moly would be normal as result of the rings on cylinder if a small amount. Chemicals found can identify if oil has unburned fuel or altered fuel telling you about ring blow by and so on. Lead or copper if found would be a bad thing as it means a bearing is failing. Other metals specific to a cam or lifter are also metal types that mean bad things if found and so on. Here is link to another company with a good explanation page.
http://www.polarislabs1.com/test-exp...calferrography

[Tongue Pirate]

We have oil analasis done on all of our large equipment at work(Excavators, Loaders, Backhoes, etc..). It is a good indicator of what is going on inside the engine & if there may be a serious problem that needs to be investigated.

[double ugly]

It was a necessity in the Air Force to do a SOAP test on a regular basis on our jet engines. It would tell us what was going on inside of it. It certainly save a lot of aircraft and crews not to mention expensive engines. This is basically the same test refered to in Jeff's post.
John

[jdean]

Jeff, count me in. I would pay for one of those periodically. I always cut my oil filter housing during changes and look at what might be in there anyway. This analyis would give a lot better info.

[vettestr]

It is a great tool that can tell you many different things. A few threads have talked about how often to change your oil and this will tell you that too, but to be cost effective you must be using the other info provided also.
Tongue Pirate mentioned most heavy equipment owners record the readings provided. I would use it to make sure all is good before a warranty expired. Jdean I could send you a kit but I am sure you could go to company direct and save a buck or so with shipping costs eliminated.
Thanks all jeff C