Oil Sampling - anyone tried it?

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This service is used mainly in the marine industry for the quality control of bunkers (IFO and MDO). Lub oils are also checked but not as extensively as the quality is high. Owners and charterers are obviously interested in the fuel quality as charterers pay for it and owners have to use it. If the fuel is found to be below the agreed quality it will have to be removed from the vessel and replaced as it can damage the main engine and auxilliaries. As we are talking about expensive machinery and a lot of fuel the interest is clear.

As the quality of autmotive fuels and lubes is very high, I beieve there is no need for this kind of service for the exige

TomS

Heavy construction and open cast mine equipment (All manufacturers including Komatsu and Caterpillar & users of the equipment), use oil sampling as the lab techies are able to identify future problems before a major outage occurs, with down time and the cost of this specialist plant running into �Millions it is viewed as a part of the maintenance/servicing schedule.
Darryl

As the quality of autmotive fuels and lubes is very high, I beieve there is no need for this kind of service for the exige

TomS

I think you have missed the point - its used oil not new that can be tested here, and could give an indication of any abnormal wear in the engine.

the lab techies are able to identify future problems before a major outage occurs

As such a small cost then this would be a good idea for a K series, especially if anyone is racing.

We use them at work also for the emergency diesel generators.

the lab techies are able to identify future problems before a major outage occurs

As such a small cost then this would be a good idea for a K series, especially if anyone is racing.

We use them at work also for the emergency diesel generators.

Agreed,

the used and tested oil may indeed show excessive engine wear but it will not be caused by the automotive lubricants (provided that you use reasoneable stuff). It will also not show were this excessive engine wear occurs and why.

In marine environments the fuel oil sampling is used to prevent engine damage in the first place. Don’t forget marine engines use fuel oils that only reach the correct viscosity to be used in the engine after heating. (I am not speaking about the auxilliary in your sail boat but about engines burning HFO IFO and MDO) The reason for using HFO is obviously cost related.

Coming back to testing the engine lube oil after the event; with a VHPD I’d rather open up the engine in the off season have a look at the big end bearings and the crankshaft bearings and take things from there.

With a Yota or Honda engine I wouldn’t bother unless used solely for motorsport.

Plus with a VHPD building up the engine from scratch will probably do away with most “Extraordinary” engine wear issues.

TomS