Oil Analysis

Thousands of other commercial and industrial operators have benefitted just as much from independent oil analysis. And benefits often involve more than just an increased oil drain interval. Wear metal and contamination levels are good indicators of equipment condition, and can provide early warning of future problems. High metals content can indicate unusual wear, and even help locate what component is wearing out. And high levels of water/coolant or dirt can indicate cooler leakage or air filter failure, before these can cause serious mechanical damage.

Oil Analysis Just Got Easier Using Oil Analyzers, Inc. (OAI) oil analysis services is now easier than ever. Customers simply collect samples using the OAI all-in-one sampling kit and mail them in the pre-addressed, postage-paid packages to the OAI lab. That's all there is to it -- pull and sample and drop it in the mail! The OAI technical team does the rest. They combine their years of analytical experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation to produce reliable, meaningful results from customer samples. Testing is completed within 24 hours of a sample reaching our lab. Results are reported by fax, mail, or in the case of an impending equipment failure, by telephone. Reports are easy-to-read and include interpretation and recommendations. And because the tests performed on customer samples are tailored to each customer's machinery, they get data that applies directly to their equipment and maintenance decisions. OAI technicians are available to answer customer questions ranging from sampling procedures to the test results and maintenance recommendations. If a critical situation is uncovered during sample testing, a technician will contact the customer immediately to discuss the problem. Also, customer reports are kept on file at the lab to enable monitoring of trends and detection of subtle changes in the condition of their equipment. Oil Analysis: A Big Return for a Small Investment Allows the practice of "predictive maintenance" -- a more cost effective practice than preventive maintenance. Extends equipment life by preventing premature component failure. Reduces maintenance costs by eliminating unnecessary component changes and decrease in downtime due to premature scheduled maintenance. Enables calculation of optimum drain intervals that will reduce lubricant costs and assure maximum equipment protection Eliminates complete teardowns based on guesswork. Reduces unscheduled maintenance -- keeps equipment up and running. Enables better assessment of equipment performance. Individual Oil Sample Kit (Prod. code G-1451) Click here to view the AMSOIL On-Line Product Store and Ordering Page including Retail Pricing Information or Click here to apply for "Preferred Customer" status and receive the benefits of being an AMSOIL Preferred Customer, including purchasing product at wholesale prices or Click here to request an AMSOIL Retail Catalog and/or request additional information on specific products or applications

To make sure that you're taking full advantage of the value of oil analysis you should examine your sampling procedure and ask if it is -- representative, timely and well documented. A good sample must be representative of the oil in service if the data is to be meaningful. Samples should be analyzed shortly after they are taken since they represent a point in time of the engine condition, and become less significant the longer they sit. And a sample must be documented fully to describe what the equipment is, the oil type, operating conditions and interval from previous sample. Without this information, a valid comparison can't be made.

Most laboratories recommend taking an oil sample while the system is operating or shortly after shutdown. This will insure that wear and dirt particles will not have settled out, and that water or coolant have not yet separated. A sample should be drawn from a properly located sample valve when possible to avoid the need to dismantle lines or open up the reservoir. If a system has a sample valve it is often found on a low pressure return line, usually just before the line connects to the reservoir. A sample drawn from that valve is often themost representative of operating fluid condition. One exception would be samples that are to be analyzed for particle count or wear metals. These should be drawn upstream from filter elements if at all possible.

Prior to sampling, the valve should be wiped clean so that surface dust and dirt will not accidentally fall into the sample container. This step is of particular importance if the sample is to be analyzed for wear metals or particle count.

If a sampling valve is not available, the next best place is the reservoir itself, again, either during operation or just after shutdown. The sample can be drawn through a plastic tube, with any of several sample-taking devices. (Check with your local lab if you have trouble locating sample-taking equipment. AMSOIL does sell a hose and suction device suitable for withdrawing a sample out of the average dip-stick tube.) The sample should be taken from the middle of the reservoir to make sure it is representative. Sludge, dirt and water will collect on the bottom and sampling there will give the impression that the circulating oil is in poorer condition than it really is. If the drain plug in the reservoir is the only place you can take a sample, be sure to flush at least a pint of oil out before taking a sample. This will remove most of the sludge, dirt and water before the sample is taken.

Oil Analysis Made Easy With Hand Pump Click on Graphic to Enlarge AMSOIL sells this hand pump (Product Code G-1206), not including plastic sample bottle shown. The pump measures 7 3/4" long overall. Included with the pump is 10 feet of plastic tubing. The sample bottle is included in an Oil Analyzers Oil Sample Kit (Product Code G-1451). The tubing is cut to length and inserted in the top of the pump. Three or four feet of tubing is used for each sample and then thrown away (use tubing only once - additional tubing can be purchased from AMSOIL). Feed the tubing down the dip stick tube. With the sample bottle in the upright position, pump the handle to draw an oil sample up through the tube and into the bottle. Remove the sample bottle when full, seal and label the bottle and mail in mailing package included with the kit to Oil Analyzers. The Oil Anayzers Sample Kits, the Sample Suction Pump, and replacement tubing can be purchased on-line. Enter the AMSOIL Store and follow the Shopping Cart to Filters and Filtration Products, then to Oil Analysis Kits and Accessories.

The sample container is as important as the sample itself. Old paint or coffee cans may be great for paint thinner, but they just won't work for oil analysis. Sample containers are available for the oil laboratories, and sometimes from the oil venders as well (AMSOIL sells oil sample containers. Click here for more details). In either case, it is important enough to keep several empty containers on hand so that there is never a need to use anything else. One note of caution, some sample containers are not compatible with synthetic lubricants, causing them to soften and sometimes dissolve. Be sure to advise the oil lab or oil vender what type of oils you will be sampling so that they can be sure you have the proper container (AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants are compatible with the same type of sample container used for petroleum lubricants).

Since an oil sample indicates the condition of the oil and the equipment at the time it is taken, it is important to promptly send it in for analysis. Normal mailing and testing will take 3-10 days. Delaying the sample will only make that period longer and the results that much less significant. Most labs provide convenient pre-addressed mailing cartons, making it easy to mail the sample the same day that it is taken.

Making sure that the sample is labeled properly is an important third step. sample date, equipment sampled, operating hours or miles since the previous sample, oil type and any unusual operating situations should be noted either on the sample container or a sheet of paper included with the sample. To provide a basis for comparison, a sample of new oil or a sample taken just after an oil change should be sent for analysis. If the same oil is being used in several pieces of equipment, only one new oil sample is needed for a base-line.

Most important, be sure that your company name, address and telephone number are included with each sample. Most labs get hundreds of samples each day and after a shile they begin to look very similar. You should include the name of someone who is to be called if there are indications of serious equipment problems, or if the oil needs to be changed.