| [GMCnet] Travels with Lyla: Oil Analysis [message #207154] |
Wed, 08 May 2013 11:48 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Some of you may recall that we've been on the road in our GMC with our
mechanically gifted cat, Lyla.
Prior to our departure, I had an oil analysis done by Blackstone that was
positive for coolant. I was very concerned of course.
Matt Colie wrote me and suggested that I check the torque on both cylinder
heads. I did that with my 50 year old beam torque wrench and found that
each of the passenger side head bolts were not in spec. Each of them
cracked (moved slightly) when I checked them. I tightened them to 85 ft lbs
and a week later left on our trip with the expectation that I would change
the oil somewhere about half way. That ended up being Hunting Island state
park in South Carolina. It was a quick change in our campsite to avoid any
confirmation passing by park rangers. They probably frown on oil changes in
the park. I was careful and didn't leak any oil on the ground. There was
1,702 miles on the oil. I wasn't planning on having that oil analyzed, but
took a sample anyway.
A few days later, about 4AM I had a dream that Lyla spoke to me while she
was messing with my face trying to get me to make her a snack. Seems like
she said something about "oil place in Knoxville". I woke up and realized
that we might be passing real close to the lab that C. Boyd uses in a few
days. In the morning I checked my maps and found that indeed we would be
passing right by Associated Labs on our way to visit a niece that lives in
Knoxville.
On May 3, I found the place. I parked the coach in front on a busy street,
went in and gave the office girl my sample. I paid her $12. She was going
to just send me an invoice, maybe because I didn't look like a street bum.
The only thing I told her was that it was a gas powered olds 455 that had a
recent bronze distributor gear failure. She didn't ask any questions other
then was it gas and make and model. I volunteered the part about the gear.
A few days later I got the report via email. It showed zero glycol. That
was a major relief! It also showed, "Reportable copper, lead and sodium".
There was a note "Copper and lead may be the residue left from a previous
failure". I checked my last Blackstone report and saw that the "copper,
lead and sodium" were reduced from 1702 miles ago.
For $25 from Blackstone you get neat sample bottles ready to be mailed, a
report with a paragraph of comments and a pretty extensive list of 20
elements in the oil including silver, titanium, molybdenum and barium as
well as antifreeze, fuel, water and insoluble %s. The Associated Lab
reports shows only 9, including iron, aluminum, copper, chrome, lead, tin,
sodium, dirt and soot." They also show fuel, water, solids and glycol %....
The sample bottles are just small plastic bottles and a label. Unlike,
Blackstone's shipping container, with oil absorbent paper and oil proof
baggie.
For my money, I think the Associated lab reports are very cost effective. I
think they cover the major items of concern. I plan on sending them a
sample for most oil changes and send one to Blackstone maybe every 3rd
change or so. For 12 bucks, I think it's worth having each oil change
analyzed.
Richard
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
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Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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