How does oil analysis work?
Based on the presence of certain metals, an oil analysis will inform you as to where metal-on-metal contact is affecting the integrity of your engine components. By identifying contamination and wear through oil analysis you can prevent unnecessary downtime and costly repairs while simultaneously extending drain intervals. Having this valuable information will be beneficial for fine-tuning a preventative maintenance schedule for the future that fits the unique needs of a specific truck, optimizing its performance while preventing the possibility of damage or total engine failure. Analysis tests come in different packages and each is distinct, testing for a wide range of lubricant components that are specific to an engine type and application. Depending on the package you choose, oil analysis will test for such things as viscosity, trace elements, additives, the presence and percentage of water, the presence of metals, glycol, sulphur, chlorine, fuel dilution, soot, oxidation, nitration and acids. To perform an oil analysis, an SCL consultant can provide you with the appropriate test kit to meet your specific needs. After taking an oil sample you will mail it in a pre-addressed envelope or container to a lab along with specific information about the full profile of your truck. Oil samples are generally tested within 24 hours of being received and results can be made available by phone, e-mail or fax within the span of a work week.Industry trends for the use of oil analysis
According to Chevron’s Lubewatch Oil Analysis Program Overview, 65% of heavy-duty mobile equipment operators use oil analysis to monitor the condition of their equipment and to establish appropriate drain intervals. It is estimated that the number of heavy industry oil analysis users will increase their use of monitoring techniques by 40% in the next 3 years. 79% of the major industrial facilities in the United States rely on oil analysis as a key diagnostic tool for monitoring the health and performance of their equipment with up to 4% of a standard maintenance budget going toward industrial lubricant monitoring – in stark contrast with the 50% of a budget being affected by costly lubricant-related downtime or catastrophic engine failure.Cost of oil analysis
Oil analysis is an added expense to your bottom line, but a preventative measure that we at SCL recommend as an affordable safeguard against ongoing engine wear. Tests provide extensive interpretation of results with clear suggestions and recommendations for how to optimize engine health based on analysis results. Â While oil analysis is a relatively marginal preventative expense, you can expect to pay on average between $8 to $15 per test, although more extensive diagnostics may cost more. Multiply an average of $10 per test across a fleet of 100 trucks and you are looking at roughly $1,000 added to your bottom line annually. An affordable preventative measure when compared to a catastrophic engine failure or costly downtime, oil analysis has proven to be a worthy investment for many fleet operators and managers. There is currently a spectrum of options for performing oil analysis that satisfy the needs of a wide range of industrial applications such as a basic lubrication test package and tests specifically designed for diesel, natural gas, industrial oils, metalworking fluids and turbine oils.Oil analysis is an added expense to your bottom line, but a preventative measure that we at SCL recommend as an affordable safeguard against ongoing engine wear.Â