Overheard a guy at the parts counter saying oil analysis is a waste of money

Last Monday I was at the Cummins dealer in Dallas picking up a filter kit. Some younger mechanic was telling his buddy he never sends oil samples off. Said it's just a scam to sell more additives down the line. I bit my tongue but wanted to jump in. Three years ago I ignored a sample report on a 3406E that showed high copper. Engine spun a bearing two months later. Cost the fleet manager $8,500 for a rebuild. That report would have caught it early if I'd listened. Has anyone else had a bad experience ignoring your oil analysis results?

3 comments

3 Comments

max_ross18d ago

You've had that happen too, huh? That's a rough lesson, and I bet it still stings when you think about it. I've seen too many guys treat oil analysis like it's optional, and it always bites them when that bill comes due. That $8,500 rebuild is exactly why I don't skip sending samples, especially on any motor I'm running hard. Most of the time the report is boring, but that one time it's not pays for itself ten times over.

jana_fox5018d ago

Oil analysis is just a scam to sell more oil tests.

terry_carter1518d ago

Stick with it, @max_ross. That boring report is money in the bank.