Oil Analysis Results

[emptysea]

Once I put my reading glasses on and I found out that it says "Boron" and not "Bourbon", I lost interest in the whole report.

[Lord Popgun]

MTC, “Whiskey, thins down the mix. Get another 50rpms”

[Whoops]

What accounts for the elevated boron and magnesium numbers? Are those jus additives in the particular brand of oil?

[peterbaron]

Once I put my reading glasses on and I found out that it says "Boron" and not "Bourbon", I lost interest in the whole report.

[Scotty_imp]

What accounts for the elevated boron and magnesium numbers? Are those jus additives in the particular brand of oil?

Oil package. You know how people like zinc. lol

[dave]

Hello Gentlemen. I am interested in having an oil analysis performed. I'll wait until I perform my next oil change, so this won't be happening in the immediate future. I would like to start with my 1998 VFR800 that has almost 115,000 miles now (it still runs almost as good as new). My concern is how to read the results of the test. How do I know if the metallic contaminants are coming from the engine (crankshaft, camshaft, cylinders, pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings, valves, valve guides), or from the clutch and transmission?

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hello Gentlemen. I am interested in having an oil analysis performed. I'll wait until I perform my next oil change, so this won't be happening in the immediate future. I would like to start with my 1998 VFR800 that has almost 115,000 miles now (it still runs almost as good as new). My concern is how to read the results of the test. How do I know if the metallic contaminants are coming from the engine (crankshaft, camshaft, cylinders, pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings, valves, valve guides), or from the clutch and transmission?

Good question Dave.

For most Japanese bikes, most would say both. However, that probably doesn't help you.

[peterbaron]

Two decades ago, we had a long time car customer/chemist?, who always took midstream oil samples every oil change/5-6K kms, sent it to his/company lab, added his own chemicals to new oil...and that was about it..never complaint about anything in related subject..

[Scotty_imp]

Hello Gentlemen. I am interested in having an oil analysis performed. I'll wait until I perform my next oil change, so this won't be happening in the immediate future. I would like to start with my 1998 VFR800 that has almost 115,000 miles now (it still runs almost as good as new). My concern is how to read the results of the test. How do I know if the metallic contaminants are coming from the engine (crankshaft, camshaft, cylinders, pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings, valves, valve guides), or from the clutch and transmission?

Dave, there are a number of companies that do oil analysis. Blackstone seems to be the best "explainer" for people like us. There are groups/forums on the web that just discuss lab results too. For example, bobistheoilguy.com has a motorcycle specific oil forum that posts and argues over results and oils, lol. But, back to the specifics of your question. If you have an unusually elevated contaminant/metal in your sample, Blackstone will often suggest possible sources. Tin, for example will usually be from crank bearings. Also, if you Google sources of material you'll find lots of possibilities, sometimes even specific to your vehicle. But I'd start with Blackstone's website and monthly newsletters - good stuff!

[dave]

Thanks Scotty.