Thanks Dennis.

Learned a bunch of new things!

Neil.

On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 3:10 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Fluids analysis cab offer benefits far beyond "extending" change intervals.

>
> After a round trip from NY to Florida the oil test came back with silica in
> the oil. During the trip we encountered a lot of construction and bad
> weather. On the way back some snow and ice and the roads were salted/sanded.
> The air filter failed (and this is a big one) failed to keep the dirt out.
> Changed toil oil and filters and added a 2 micron absolute bypass oil filter
> system. If not for the test I would have left that oil in for another 4,000
> miles.

> Vanagon engines keep oil fairly clean, high upper ring temperatures cause
> the oil to oxidize. Even with Mobil 1 7,500 miles change intervals work.
>
>
>
> My Fox and the Audi never seem to wear the oil. The Fox will require
> changing due to silica and resulting wear particles. The air inlet is in a
> great place to clean the top of the tire.  Mann/Mahle filters seem to give
> up about 5,000 miles.

>
> Oil analysis can pick up even small traces of antifreeze, long before you
> will see it. Doing Waterboxer heads, pull those cylinders and change those
> gaskets underneath. Be sure to seal the faces of the head nuts inside the
> rocker covers.
>
>
>
> Have an oil leak! I learned that oil leaking out usually means dirt is
> getting in.
>
>
>
> Fluid analysis also applies to coolant. Are the additives doing their job?
> Is the coolant contaminated? Is it the proper strength? What about
> combustion gasses or even oil? There is also a lot that can be learned here.
>
>
>
>
> There are a number of companies that supply testing programs. Most mail a
> kit that includes a sample container and the postage is usually prepaid.
> Consider how the sample will be drawn. A vacuum pump and tube is a common
> approach. The caterpillar (S.O.S) kits come with a new tube for each test.
> There is often a deal where you can get 10 kits with a pump. Then keep the
> pump afterwards. If you plan to test oil and coolant get a pump just for the
> coolant. It will be a different color for identifying. No matter how hard
> you try using the same pump will give false positive readings for antifreeze
> in the oil.

--
Neil n

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