Oil Analysis Labs Compared

[Two]

Some info ended up missing on my sheet, somehow. Called the lab and they redid it using the "new" info.
I'm impressed.

 

[OnTheReel]

Interesting video from Lake Speed (SpeedDiagnostix)

I left him a comment to see if the oil he proposes making at the end of the video could be compared against Red Line 0W40 since many of us have given up on PUP.

For the sake of a fair comparison, hopefully he uses an ester that was intended for a PCMO next time around. Using the “racing” ester in this video kinda screwed the comparison he was trying to make, but I get it.

Which would you send your oil to out of all the labs out there? We did the Amsoil most recently but the process of sending the oil and the required info was kind of odd. They wanted more information that would have a bearing on their results/feedback and when we sent it in, they acknowledged receipt but aren't updating the results or the report in any way lol. Then we couldnt find a way to select the regular Amsoil syn oil filter from the drop-down menu and a few other stupidities. So I'm def not crazy about that one. Blackstone was far simpler to just send in the oil and fill out the sheet manually.

They all have some quirks to them. I’ve been a TestOil guy but I just sent a sample from my Jeep to Amsoil, and I was happy with the result and the turnaround time. They do seem to be a little silly about getting information from the owner that has little to no bearing on the results. But that can be worked around. When Blackstone says there’s no fuel in a sample that actually contains ~2%…I can’t really work around that without just flat out guessing.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Well this last oil change didn't turn out so good. Truck runs and idles fine, doesn't smoke, no loss in fuel mileage. Not sure where the extra fuel dilution is coming from. Will resample after about 2k miles and see what it says

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

Well this last oil change didn't turn out so good. Truck runs and idles fine, doesn't smoke, no loss in fuel mileage. Not sure where the extra fuel dilution is coming from. Will resample after about 2k miles and see what it says

Mileage?

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Mileage?

4,722 on oil,
34,614 on truck
This was on amsoil 0W40

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

4,722 on oil,
34,614 on truck
This was on amsoil 0W40

Eeesh man hope u get it resolved b4 warranty runs out! Maybe drag race it for another 1k so the issue clearly presents itself

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Eeesh man hope u get it resolved b4 warranty runs out! Maybe drag race it for another 1k so the issue clearly presents itself

Got that extended warranty. It gets run pretty hard daily, did a 0-85 pull from a stop sign earlier today on a back road

 

[OnTheReel]

Well this last oil change didn't turn out so good. Truck runs and idles fine, doesn't smoke, no loss in fuel mileage. Not sure where the extra fuel dilution is coming from. Will resample after about 2k miles and see what it says

Short trips? Lots of idle time?

I’d run some Redline SI-1 through the tank. Before the next sample take a long highway trip to burn off whatever fuel you can and then drain hot.

This sample actually would have / could have been much worse with the Pennzoil. The Amsoil at least has some cushion to cope with that amount of dilution while maintaining a decent viscosity. Definitely don’t like to see fuel that high though. Around 2% would be typical for the platform and usually what I see on mine.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Short trips? Lots of idle time?

I’d run some Redline SI-1 through the tank. Before the next sample take a long highway trip to burn off whatever fuel you can and then drain hot.

This sample actually would have / could have been much worse with the Pennzoil. The Amsoil at least has some cushion to cope with that amount of dilution while maintaining a decent viscosity. Definitely don’t like to see fuel that high though. Around 2% would be typical for the platform and usually what I see on mine.

I drive about 90 miles round trip for work, about 80 of that is highway. Don't do much city driving, try to avoid it as much as possible. Might get a minute of idle time to cool down or slightly warm up before I drive.
I think the problem may have been that the truck was sitting for a week before I changed the oil, and was not driven before changing. I think that's where I messed up.
Good news is that even with double the miles(4700 vs 2200 on previous pennzoil), the amsoil viscosity was still higher than the pennzoil even with fuel dilution(12.4 vs 12.0).
The last sample showed only 1.4% fuel dilution, but sample was taken after getting home from work when truck was hot

 

[RAMTRX22]

Well this last oil change didn't turn out so good. Truck runs and idles fine, doesn't smoke, no loss in fuel mileage. Not sure where the extra fuel dilution is coming from. Will resample after about 2k miles and see what it says

My fuel dilution crept up from last change as well. Going to change next one a little early. I stopped doing short trips to see if it comes down at all.

 

[WDETRX]

Do you have a link to the fuel additive you use? Going to start dumping one in at each oil change myself.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

My fuel dilution crept up from last change as well. Going to change next one a little early. I stopped doing short trips to see if it comes down at all.

I get sample kits through work for about $12 each, so I'll test it at about 2,000 miles and see where it's at. And since I'm so close to the testing facility, I usually get the results back within 2-3 days, so if there's an issue, I'll change the oil and try to figure out what's going on.
Short trips and lots of idle time will do it. I try not to do either, but if I do make short trips, I try to make a long one just for the hell of it

 

[RAMTRX22]

Ordered some redline fuel treatment as OnTheReel advised. Has anyone had an injector leaking?

 

[Jholland45]

At my last oil change, I took four samples and sent them to different labs for side-by-side comparison. You might find this comparison interesting if you are trying to decide which lab to use. Results were similar across all four labs. Oil was Schaeffer's (not recommended, as you will see) and filter was a Fram Titanium FS2.

I would recommend Amsoil/Oil Analyzers. They were quick, provide comprehensive analysis like fuel dilution analysis and base number, and seem to be the best overall value.

Links to the labs:
SpeedDiagnostix: https://www.speediagnostix.com/
Amsoil/Oil Analyzers: https://www.amsoil.com/c/oil-analys...AJM8jMl-Wy8T-sns-AX7bzjR3F-QtyJjvTpeXZihbaEa1
Blackstone: https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
TestOil: https://shop.testoil.com/product/diy-sample-kit/

The samples were taken and shipped on 29JUL24. The cost (w/prepaid shipping) and business days to provide results (including shipping time) are:

lab	cost	days
SpeeDiagnostix	$69.95	7
Amsoil/Oil Analyzers	$38.50	8
Blackstone	$35.00	17
TestOil	$50.00 (not available individually)	14

First, I'm using Valvomax drain valves, so I purchased a new drain hose (can't have too many) so that any residual oil wouldn't affect the results. Each of the samples was taken in turn after allowing a few seconds of draining. The results seems to show that the sampling was consistent as well as the lab processes.

View attachment 134377

These are Blackstone's results. The most recent results are in the left column and the historical results are shown to the right. Both 2024 samples were Schaeffer's 0W-40; the 2023 sample was Pennzoil (PUP). They noted the viscosity as in spec, but the result is low and the main reason (along with @OnTheReel recommendation) why I will be switching to Red Line (5 gallon pail already ordered). Note the high copper (67 ppm) was the same across the other labs. Also, the FEB24 result seems to indicate some residual PUP based on the (mostly) upward trend on additives.

View attachment 134371

SpeeDiagnostix identified the low viscosity and high copper as concerns that should be monitored. They recommended a more shear stable oil which is spot on. PUP and Schaeffer's don't meet the viscosity needs of Hellcat engines. Hard to believe that PUP is the factory recommendation; Schaeffer's oil and VI improver seems to be similarly inadequate:


View attachment 134372

Amsoil/Oil Analyzers identified the same concerns, but also identified Moly as a concern. The other labs had similar Moly results; not sure why this is a concern. They included a base number which indicates a healthy additive package. They had the highest fuel dilution; based on @OnTheReel recommendation, I use RedLine fuel treatment at each oil change. Probably one of the best things you can do to keep fuel dilution in check.

View attachment 134373

Lastly, here's the TestOil results. Slightly higher viscosity, but still flagged as a concern. Copper was a bit lower and not highlighted as a concern.

View attachment 134376


Let me know what you think. What am I saying? This is the TRX forum; of course you are going to!

I work for a company that is contracted by Shell. We as a company are the largest consumer of Mobile products, and get free oil analysis, it is aggregating that I can just slip my vehicle in there and have them run it. With that being said I like the layout of Speed Diag best its super clean and easy to follow.

 

[SCARd4Life]

Do you have a link to the fuel additive you use? Going to start dumping one in at each oil change myself.

this is the one that I have been using at each oil change:

Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner Red Line Oil PEL 60103 PEL60103 PEL.60103 | Pelican Parts

Red Line Oil Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner 15 oz InStock Ships Today!. Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# PEL 60103 PEL.60103 PEL60103.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Well this sample wasn't much better. @OnTheReel What do you think? Any recommendations?

 

[OnTheReel]

Well this sample wasn't much better. @OnTheReel What do you think? Any recommendations?View attachment 143894View attachment 143895View attachment 143898

That oil is pretty well hammered by any measure. For reference, the most recent VOA I could turn up for that had a starting viscosity of 15.1 cSt and TBN of 9.08.

What I would do if it were mine…

I know it’s only at 40k of a 60k interval but if fuel dilution is going to be sticky (after trying all the other suggestions made previously), I’d consider putting plugs in it. NGK Ruthenium. But since it did improve a bit, maybe we give it another test first.

Fuel is not the only cause of the viscosity drop, this oil is still shearing. Viscosity was lower this time than last and a spike in iron followed. Red Line 0w40 or 5w40 would be worth a try especially going into the summer heat ahead. In my experience, it basically doesn’t shear at all so it should bring operating viscosity up and hopefully the bore wear back down.

And finally…the easiest thing to do…just shorten the leash a little. 3k, 3500 miles maybe. It’s no problem to standardize the wear for whatever mileage you run and see what direction we are heading.

Nothing in the test is an emergency situation but there’s a lot of room to improve. Which I enjoy digging into.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

I will look into changing spark plugs, maybe I got one dead plug.
I just bought 8 gallons of amsoil(2 boxes of 4 gallon jugs comes out so much cheaper than buying quarts), so switching oils right now probably not going to happen lol
I switched to amsoil so I didn't have to shorten oil changes like I had to with the PUP oil. But I guess I will if I need to. I will send in a sample at 2500 miles and see where it's at, if it doesn't improve or looks like the oil is falling out of range, I will change it
Thanks for the recommendations

 

[OnTheReel]

I will look into changing spark plugs, maybe I got one dead plug.
I just bought 8 gallons of amsoil(2 boxes of 4 gallon jugs comes out so much cheaper than buying quarts), so switching oils right now probably not going to happen lol
I switched to amsoil so I didn't have to shorten oil changes like I had to with the PUP oil. But I guess I will if I need to. I will send in a sample at 2500 miles and see where it's at, if it doesn't improve or looks like the oil is falling out of range, I will change it
Thanks for the recommendations

Good plan. And I understand completely. My truck was a tough nut to crack too and I’m still testing things to see how good I can get it. Thankfully I have other vehicles eat all the oil I tried and rejected in this thing.

Ultimately wear can only be controlled, not eliminated. Especially true with a 700hp engine in a rolling brick we drive like we stole. If we get things trending down instead of up it’s a win.

 

[916Ghost]

So is everyone seeing this in the Amsoil tests or just your truck? I switched to Amsoil last change and am about to change it again with amsoil as well as the diffs. Transfer case will be redline. My 22’ has 10k miles from march of 22’ and change every 6 months give or take a week or two.