It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.  They are basically
like blood tests for your engine.  Very good to use on a new engine to make
sure all is OK.  After the usual 1000 mile break in, change the oil and then
take samples at regular intervals like 3000 to 5000 miles to get a base line
of data, then let the oil analysis company tell you when something is in
need of attention.  It is amazing what you can see with those reports.
TEMiller
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@gull.us>
To: "Tom Miller" <tmiller@vcmails.com>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: Synthetic oils in the vanagon

> On Wed, 2 Jun 2004, Tom Miller wrote:
>
> > I originally did that to prove to myself what the oil maker was telling
me.
> > I no longer worry about it.  I think the average cost is around $15 per
> > sample.  There are a number of people who do it.  Oil Analyzers is one
and
> > Cleveland Technical Center another.  Check the web to see if there are
> > others who do this.
>
> Thanks for the info.  I know this is a common practice on large low-speed
> diesels, but I suppose it's less cost-effective on car engines.
>
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '86 Volvo 240DL wagon
> '82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel
>