This company does analysis: www.herguth.com.
It has been discussed on the list before, but I couldn't find the specific
posts.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Hartz" <ThreeHartz@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2000 8:56 AM
Subject: Metal flecks in oil

> Hello, and help.  I just did a oil change on my 89GL.  After draining the
oil
> from the catch basin to milk jugs (recycling is good), I noticed some
larger
> than normal metal flecks some almost bordering on "flakes!" in the
residue.
> The van has 128K miles and appears to be running fine but am I about to
have
> a disaster?  I change oil every 2500 miles, had been using FRAM filters
but
> thanks to the list recently switched to the VW black filter sold at a
premium
> through the local dealer.  I also just recently switched to synthetic
15W50.
> Is this stuff just cleaning out what had been there all along in the oil
pan
> or is my engine about to self-destruct?  Does anyone know where I might
sent
> the metal flakes for analysis or would this information be irrelevant?  No
> wonder I'm getting better economy ... the darn thing is getting lighter!
> Thanks in advance for any responses.
> Ken Hartz
>