Oil analysis report

[cranetruck]

Finally, after more than a year, I sent a sample of the original crankcase oil off for analysis.
It is for the xm757 lds-2 engine and the results are "normal".

 

[jonesal]

Here's another analysis using Rotella 15W40 (75% sure) in an M35A2. I've been running it about a year so the results look good (and were reported as normal). The TBN was 7.7.

Clear ahead, visibilty unlimited...

Allen

 

[stampy]

Dumb question but where do you send it and how often? I figured I would just change it every year or two

 

[m16ty]

Back when I had several dozers I would send them off through the local Cat dealer. I'm pretty sure you can get the kits from NAPA also.

If you want to really stay on top of things you would test at every scheduled oil change but I think that is unnecessary. Maybe every other oil change or anytime you suspect problems.

 

[jonesal]

I get my kits from NAPA and they are mailed to a GA lab (I think they are $14 retail and are $10 for wholesale accounts). I agree, just changing the oil is fine, but I use the kits to help tell me the condition of the engine. This kit was sent in about a year after an oil change. When I picked up my M35A2, the DRMO printed out some info for me that showed a new (not rebuilt) engine was installed in about 2000 and it only had 3,500 miles on it. (I thought, ya right) I wanted to use an engine analysis kit to help add some confidence that that information might be accurate. So far so good. I normally would not do a test, but wanted to establish a baseline of engine condition.

CAT has published VOA (virgin oil analysis) results that are very useful for comparison... They are out on the net somewhere.

Oh, and sorry for posting some M35A2 info in the mighty 5 ton forum! I just realized that.

Allen
70 M35A2

 

[markmontana]

Here's a link to some good info about oil analysis:

http://www.analystsinc.com/documents/BasicsOA.pdf

And here is a service that I have used and can recommend. He caters to collector car guys (for those who don't have a NAPA nearby):

Odor eliminator, adhesive remover, porsche auto parts, porsche parts, engine oil testing

An analysis is a good idea when you buy a truck that you plan to keep. Take a sample before your first change, or if it was changed shortly before you bought the truck, drive it a few hundred miles and draw a small sample. Keep the report in your records. If your numbers are good and your maintenance is good, the added value at resale will more than offset any cost and trouble. I once got top dollar out of a large trawler and the buyers choose the boat because of the organized maintenance records.


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