Q: How long will it take to get results back on a sample?
A: Our target turn-around time for basic OA1 testing is under 72 hours.
Q: Where is your lab located?
A: We are located in Sparks, Nevada at 600 Glendale Avenue, 89431.
Q: What is oil analysis?
A: It is a diagnostic and preventative maintenance tool used to evaluate and monitor the condition of the oil and equipment.
Q: Why should I sample my oil?
A: Because it helps you maximize the performance and reliability of your equipment by identifying minor problems before they turn into major failures. It can also help you safely extend drain intervals. Combined, these two benefits ultimately lower the cost per hour to operate your equipment.
Q: How do I take a clean sample?
A: Each one of our kits offers instructions on best practices and procedures for taking clean samples.
Q: What kinds of samples to you process in your lab?
A: Primarily, we analyze lube oil, coolants, and number 2 diesel, but we also have the capability to perform analysis on greases and biodiesel. Contact us for more info on specialized testing.
Q: What are the limits for the Wear Rate Analysis test results?
A: Limits for Wear Rate Analysis vary greatly from one equipment type to another. Statistical limits are generated when there is a large enough data population to provide a reliable set of limits. However, it’s important to understand limits are only a guide. If a limit is exceeded it doesn’t necessarily mean a failure is in progress. Other troubleshooting indicators must be used to validate a particular situation.
Q: What does the soot number mean?
A: The soot value is a unitless number representing the amount of infrared energy absorbed by the oil sample. The UFM Soot value correlates very nicely with the industry standard Soot by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA Soot) which is very time consuming and expensive to conduct:
Q: Why did the report say the analysis was acceptable when the component has already failed?
A: Oil analysis has many variables including the sensitivity of the instrument, sampling technique, representative sample and operating time on the oil. Components have different failure modes as well with some failures evolving over many hundreds of hours and other failures happening within minutes. Oil analysis is a picture of a moment in time. It cannot predict the future or indicate previous events. If a component had a catastrophic failure which happened over a relatively short period of time – even 100 hours – its most likely the failure did not generate a signature or sign of impending failure with an abnormal amount of particulate.
Q: Why is silicon very high but there is no mention of dirt entry?
A: The major compound in dirt is aluminum silicate. Therefore dirt contains both aluminum and silicon. Clay type soils have a ratio of about 3 parts silicon to 1 part aluminum. The most common source of high silicon alone is a leaching effect from silicone-based gaskets and sealers, especially after recent repair activity.
Q: How do I get my report?
A: Reports are emailed with a PDF attachment.
Q: I don’t understand my report. Can you help me read it?
A: Click here or call us at 866.224.3087
Q: Should I be concerned about high copper levels in my engine oil analysis?
A: Extremely high copper levels are nearly always sourced to a phenomenon called copper leaching. Leaching is essentially a reaction between the oil and copper components, typically oil cooler cores. Leaching can be described as “chemical copper” or dissolved copper and therefore is not copper wear particulate.
Q: Can you tell how old the oil is?
A: No. However, we can identify the effects of old oil such as high oxidation, high viscosity, and high wear metals.