Description: 
At our lab the sample of oil taken from the engine is inserted in a computerizedspectrometer   instrument; the technician enters certain engine information into the instrument’s internal computer database. The information entered includes the year, make, and mileage or hours of the engine, tractor, power plant, or any machinery that uses oil, gasoline or diesel and the fluid being analyzed (e.g. engine, transmission, generator, etc.) By providing this information, the instrument knows what levels of metals and contaminants are acceptable for a particular engine or motor.

Once the sample begins circulating through our  computerized spectrometer , it is divided and analyzed by two separate internal analyzers.

• One analyzer draws in a small sample of the fluid and “hits” it with a spark of electricity. When this happens, the different metals turn different colors, similar to sunlight hitting a prism. The different colors are recognized and analyzed by the instrument. The   sophisticated Motor Oil Test® computerized spectrometer matches that information to the “normal” information for that specific motor, engine or transmission. Based on what it finds, the computer determines if all of the components are wearing at normal or abnormal rates.
  
  
• Another analyzer within the  Motor Oil Test® computerized spectrometer  instrument is looking for things that do not belong (i.e. contaminants). For example, if detects water, potassium, and sodium at very high levels, it concludes that there may be a head gasket leak, because the coolant system is the only place where these contaminants should be present. The  Motor Oil Test®  instrument’s sophisticated computer also matches that information to the “normal” information for that specific engine or transmission. Based on what it finds, the computer determines if all of the contaminants found are at normal or abnormal rates.

Results: 
The analysis through our Motor Oil Test® computerized spectrometer is typically returned within 10 minutes, after our lab receives the sample. Results are given to the owner for review.

A typical analysis report shows how detection can predict engine problems. Other typical recommendations might be:

• Example 1: Bearing metals indicate wear. Inspect all bearing areas for wear. Resample at 1/2 interval
• Example 2: Unit is in satisfactory condition. Resample at normal interval
• Example 3: Abrasion indicated. Inspect air filtration system Upper cylinder wear indicated. Excessive fuel dilution Resample at 1/2 interval

Most maintenance experts realize the oil change intervals for both engines and transmissions are decided by the "average need." No two pieces of equipment have the same preventive maintenance needs. Each machine has different imperfections and is used under different conditions. Operators doing smaller or lighter jobs can cause different conditions on engines and transmission wear than those that occur during more extended use. When using oil analysis to determine maintenance intervals, there is little guesswork. Records show that some equipment can safely run two or three times longer than recommended intervals. The oil analysis may show that you are changing the oil more often than necessary — or not often enough.

By eliminating too frequent oil changes, you reduce the cost for oil and servicing and also reduce the amount of used oil to deal with. This is an important pollution prevention method — reducing the source!