09-23-2021, 04:12 AM
I'm a huge fan of Blackstone analysis. How did I get going on this? My father sends in a sample each oil change for his airplane engine (Continental IO470N), and has for a very long time. A number of years ago the wear trend spiked in iron, and they brought it to his attention. Iron is a crankshaft thing, often, so an astute mechanic pulled off a couple jugs and discovered a crank counterbalancer that was slowly working on an escape plan. It would have never been identified otherwise as it was the retaining disc on the pin that secures it to the crankshaft, behind a circlip! So, a history of samples for a given engine can be the true value.
For us, the money spent can also be saved with intelligent and scientific advice on oil change intervals. Frequent oil changes also introduce unwanted variables into engine life, and I've heard the same regarding air filtration. Simply removing and replacing an air filter can unknowingly introduce/release more particulate than would have ever been ingested leaving it alone (until necessary). Something to think about huh?
I'm also an 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser nut. I'm on my fifth. They have one, and only one, Achilles heel: the original head gasket. It was a materials construction thing combined with a very long iron straight 6 block bolted to a relatively high performance, long aluminum head. Anyway, an oil analysis is the smartest repurchase inspection on any used vehicle IMO. Particularly if it's known to have HG issues. Potassium and other coolant indicators are readily picked up, even if it's weeping very slightly. So when I buy an 80 Series I know exactly where I stand on how soon I'll being doing a top end!
For us, the money spent can also be saved with intelligent and scientific advice on oil change intervals. Frequent oil changes also introduce unwanted variables into engine life, and I've heard the same regarding air filtration. Simply removing and replacing an air filter can unknowingly introduce/release more particulate than would have ever been ingested leaving it alone (until necessary). Something to think about huh?
I'm also an 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser nut. I'm on my fifth. They have one, and only one, Achilles heel: the original head gasket. It was a materials construction thing combined with a very long iron straight 6 block bolted to a relatively high performance, long aluminum head. Anyway, an oil analysis is the smartest repurchase inspection on any used vehicle IMO. Particularly if it's known to have HG issues. Potassium and other coolant indicators are readily picked up, even if it's weeping very slightly. So when I buy an 80 Series I know exactly where I stand on how soon I'll being doing a top end!