Oil sample analysis

[Ken Cross]

Do you do oil sample analysis on your boat?
I'm thinking of starting and have questions:

Who do you use? (I'm told it's way cheaper to use an online company.)

Can you interpret the results easily? Just given particle content and count, I'm not sure I would know what to worry over. Does the reports suggest this is rings due to chromium content, or would that be crankshaft bearings? I assume unless a really high number pops up one should monitor over time for trends.

Ken

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I have used Blackstone Labs. They only charge $25 for a standard oil analysis and will send you a sampling kit. I have also used local labs but I am in the environmental consulting business and have some connections to get the analysis for free there.

For a good write up on how to interpret the results, see this page.

 

[Maine Sail]

+1 on Blackstone. I use them for my cars and boat. They will also do ATF etc...

 

[Bob 04 H260]

We had our engine and transmission done when we bought the boat. It was a local company used by our surveyor. It did not show any problems so it was really a confidence builder that nothing was missed. I have not done it again in the 4 years we have owned the boat. We do our oil and filter changes every 100 hrs. It runs well, has lots of power, I'm confident in the engine and transmission, both seem to be operating fine. If I was concerned I would run a check.
Bob

 

[Ken Cross]

That was helpful Thanks

Ken

 

[chrisings]

I have worked in the automotive field for over 35 years, currently an engineer in a major European manufacture’s legal department. I have never understood the need for a consumer to have oil analyzed. There are much easier, and reliable, ways to diagnosis typical internal engine problems. Also, for such analysis to be useful it would need to be done repeatedly (bi-monthly, annually, so forth) starting with a base line for your particular engine. I just don’t see the need and would save the trouble and money.
Just my .02 cents.