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Switched from oil samples to a used oil analysis lab last year | Diesel Mechanics - SMM Buzz

Switched from oil samples to a used oil analysis lab last year

I used to just send oil samples to the local parts store for basic testing, but after a major engine failure in a fleet truck from a 2015 Cummins ISX, I started using a proper lab that does particle counting and spectrochemical analysis. The detailed report caught high silicon levels early on a 2018 Volvo D13, saving me a rebuild. Anyone else made the switch and seen a difference in catching issues before they blow up?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_piper4mo ago

Started sending samples to a real lab after a Cummins ISX ate a camshaft and tossed a rod through the block at 400k miles. The parts store tests just check viscosity and basic wear metals, but they miss the small stuff that kills engines slowly. The lab caught high iron and copper in a Paccar MX-13 at 250k miles, turned out the oil cooler was failing internally and dumping coolant into the oil. That one simple report saved me from a full top end rebuild and a cooler replacement on a truck that was still under warranty. If you're running fleet trucks past 300k miles and not doing particle count and acid number testing, you're basically gambling with your engines every oil change. The upfront cost is nothing compared to what a single blown motor costs you in downtime and repairs.

simonh744mo ago

Hold up... an oil cooler was dumping coolant into the oil on a Paccar MX-13 and the only thing that caught it was the particle count and acid number testing? That's wild to me, @the_piper. I've seen those coolers fail before but usually only after someone spots the coolant loss or white smoke first. So the lab basically saw the metal wear before the coolant even had a chance to emulsify the oil properly... that's scary good timing. Makes me wonder how many other engines I've rolled the dice on over the years with just basic viscosity checks and never even knew what was brewing inside.