Oil/Fluid Analysis

[Shaps]

About to have the fluids & filters changed before she gets put away for the winter.
For my survey, the Cummins mechanics used Ring Power Cat in Florida.

I believe the thing to do is have the oil of the engines and generator tested, along with transmission fluid and perhaps the pods?

Questions:
Should I stay with a CAT oil analysis since that was what was done originally?
Which test(s) should be done for the list above (ie. Would all of them use the same test?)

If it doesn't matter who does the test, as long as they are reputable, who is everyone using?

Thanks!
Shaps

 

[Almightys]

The CAT people here in Michigan f’d up my analysis so bad this summer I can’t bring myself to give them money again. The lab lost samples, Mismarked samples from engine and generator and completely lost two of the samples still to this day. Complete mess. I’d love to hear who else can do this service reasonably for future

 

[Jus the two of us]

I always used cat on my 450, Went with Blackstone when we got the 55. Going back to cat next year. Blackstone took a month for me to finally get them all back.

 

[Shaps]

Thanks.
So you send CAT 5 samples, correct?
2 for engine oil
2 for trans fluid
1 for gen oil


I am not sure what to do, if anything, with the pod gearcase oil.

 

[Brent Nutting]

The CAT people here in Michigan f’d up my analysis so bad this summer I can’t bring myself to give them money again. The lab lost samples, Mismarked samples from engine and generator and completely lost two of the samples still to this day. Complete mess. I’d love to hear who else can do this service reasonably for future

Almighty, if you like, I can recommend a local person for the oil analysis. He takes care of my when doing my oil changes and he has the samples sent to CAT for analysis. He works directly with CAT for this and I think his long term relationship with them helps out. I have had good results working with my guy.
For major items (like the port side ECM I had to have replaced this year), I used Michigan CAT and they did a good job for me.

 

[yobub]

I've used CAT for my oil samples. I change my own oil and send the samples in myself. No issues over 3 years. I have heard good things about Blackstone as well.

 

[firecadet613]

My samples just got delivered to these guys yesterday...I'll let you know about turn around time. They've done the oil analysis on my boat for the prior owner, so I stuck with them to keep the history together.

https://www.oil-lab.com/

Two engine and two trans. Might do the gen next year, but she only has 57ish hours on her.

 

[Almightys]

Almighty, if you like, I can recommend a local person for the oil analysis. He takes care of my when doing my oil changes and he has the samples sent to CAT for analysis. He works directly with CAT for this and I think his long term relationship with them helps out. I have had good results working with my guy.
For major items (like the port side ECM I had to have replaced this year), I used Michigan CAT and they did a good job for me.

Id love that. Mine got sent to the Cat lab in WI I think. I can share the story over a beer. It was comedic to say the least. It took two sets of full samples engine/trans/coolant on each to finally get MOST of the results. Ugh.

 

[Jaybeaux]

I've been using Blackstone Labs. I sent my samples in on Monday. I'll let you know when I get the results. I've been using them for the past 4 years.

Jaybeaux

 

[carterchapman]

I've used CAT SOS for 10 years. $13 a sample and Stowers CAT in E. TN has them back in 2-3 days. Engines and Trans every fall and genny every 200 hrs at oil chg.

 

[dtfeld]

Cat's SOS has worked well for me. The have different oil sample protocols. The basic one is $19 for me using Yancey CAT. There are more involved tests at higher pricing. Call your local CAT service center and see what they advise.

 

[Shaps]

Thanks gents. Appreciate the input.

 

[JimG]

So just curious... what do the results tell you? What do you do based on the results?

 

[Shaps]

I have been told that overall you are looking for patterns of wear that are highlighted by a change in the contaminants in the engine as well as the appearance of elements that indicate a problem..

 

[Jaybeaux]

I've been using Blackstone Labs. I sent my samples in on Monday. I'll let you know when I get the results. I've been using them for the past 4 years.

Jaybeaux

Follow-up on Blackstone Labs: I sent my 3 oil samples in, via USPS, on Monday, October 19th. I received one report yesterday, October 26th, at 5:06 PM. I called this morning to double check on the other two, and was told that the reports are going out today, October 27th. So, dropping into the mail to receiving the reports is 8-9 days (counting weekends).

Jaybeaux

 

[Shaps]

Dropped my oil in the mail today (they took the samples on friday)
Im using CAT SOS oil analysis..

 

[ttmott]

So just curious... what do the results tell you? What do you do based on the results?

It's all about trend. As an example I have samples pulled before each oil change. I evaluate these all together with the ones taken at the survey and I can look at the wear metals for increases, the condition of the oil, and other trace elements; then I can determine if I have a problem or a potential problem is trending.
For example if I'm seeing increasing trend in chromium and aluminum in the engine's analysis then I would begin suspecting wear in a cylinder as aluminum is piston material and chromium is piston ring material.
Or if I'm seeing increases in sodium and copper I would then suspect one of the coolers if I run the boat in salt water.
Excess soot is an indication of an over-fueling / ignition problem.
Or more complex evaluation such as you start seeing increases in soot, fuel is starting to indicate in the oil, then increases in chromium and aluminum then it would look like the cylinders are getting washed down with fuel - loss of lubricant.
For the gears an increase in chromium would be indicative of an issue beginning with a roller bearing. Or, Iron would be wear in the gear teeth....
So, there are a lot of engine health that can be obtained. I think the analysis is very important in a diesel engine.

One thing I recently discovered is they never analyzed for fuel in the oil; that is a special request. I discovered that when one engine started making oil and we pulled samples but they came back normal then found a fuel injector had an external fuel leak that ran into the crankcase then asked Motor Check (the analysis firm) why the analysis isn't indicating fuel - that is when we found out you have to request such...... So I'd recommend that you follow up and make sure they are analyzing for fuel in the oil also. Here is an example -

Tom