Where can I get my oil analyzed?

W

winstonwilliams

Seaman
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
68
I have a 290 1991 SeaRay with (around) a 1995 502 fuel injected 8.2 liter mercruiser. The engine has started knocking so I removed the oil filter, cut it open, and found a fair amount of silver metal flakes. I think it might be time for a repower, but I want to get the oil analyzed to find out where the metal is coming from first. Where can I send the oil?

Thanks for the help and I look forward to hearing from you

Winston Williams
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

To add to Tilliam's post. Any CAT dealer worldwide can do oil analysis, main stores will do it at their facility . . . ;)
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

Many auto parts stores also carry the kits.
 
M

MDJ1016

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
35
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

Semi truck drivers use a system called oil-by pass. (Yes there is a marine point here.) A host on Xm Road Dog Trucking, believe his name is Kevin Rutherford (ATBS is the business) talks about oil sampling a lot. If you have XM or Sirrus Radio take a few mins and listen to the Road Dog Truckign Shows. I have learned great Maint. tips they use on semis that flow down to our marine area.

Send me a PM and I will do some additional research on it for you.
 
havasuboatman

havasuboatman

Ensign
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
904
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

I find the whole idea a bit odd.
Last motor I had that had metal in the oil and a knocking problem, well, hell, I just tore it down and rebuilt it. It's knocking for gods sake. And a "fair amount of metal flakes" in the oil filter means there is metal in everything.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

I agree with that ^^^^^. Even with oil sampling available, a filter full of metal is reason enough to tear down. Oil analysis does not even pick up the big stuff, so what if it comes back clean?

I worked at the LA CAT dealer for 23 years. While oil sampling does catch some failures, it's biggest benefit is in dialing in change intervals and in comparing wear rates for different oils etc. Another example is a spike in silicon would indicate that dirt is bypassing an air cleaner which might explain high oil consumption. But once there is a mega spike in wear metals, the damage is done. Flakes in a filter pretty much makes sampling a nice to have, but not worth a whole lot.
 
skargo

skargo

Banned
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

I agree with the gents above, I use it exclusively to set my drain intervals, as I hate to throw away perfectly good oil, which people who change at 3k miles do.
 
W

winstonwilliams

Seaman
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
68
Re: Where can I get my oil analyzed?

I have a bad knock in my 502 Mercruiser so I pulled some oil and sent it off to get analized and this is what they said:


Wear was well above average in the first sample from your Mercruiser. The high aluminum is
likely from the upper end, while lead and tin are from the bearings. Iron can be from any steel part. Silicon
may show an abrasive contaminant in the oil, or with coolant it may be from coolant or cooling water. Our
universal averages show typical wear from this engine model after an oil run of ~30 hours. We suggest
having someone take a close look at your engine. Things don't look very good from here.

attached is the full report
 

Attachments

  • E03211.pdf
    17.2 KB · Views: 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top