Hello from Kenneth in Norway!
I use an American Laboratory for my own oil tests, and can really recommend them. Check out
www.blackstone-labs.com. They charge approx. 20 USD for a good element analysis of your engine oil. I pay by using my VISA card. Never had a problem with them. This is what you do:
Go into their website, and order a few sample bottles (free).
When you get the bottles by mail, you prepare to draw the sample. Always make sure the engine is hot (just stopped) before drawing the sample. The best method is to use a special vacuum pump with 6mm plasic tube down the dipstick pipe to collect the oil sample. Most of us don`t have a pump, so we have to use the oil sump draining plug instead.
This means that it`s common sense to do a regular oil/filter change at the same time.
Unscrew the plug, and let the old oil pour out. To minimize the risk of collecting sediments from the bottom of the oil sump in your sample, you should let at least 1 litre of oil drain from the sump before you take the sample. Make sure not to get dirt into your sample.
Then you cap the bottle, fill out the information card, and put it all together in the small special plastic container.
Go to the post office, and send it to Indiana, USA. Shipping cost is 7 EURO and it takes about 9 days from Norway.
If you write down your e-mail adress on the info-card, Blackstone Lab`s will e-mail the report to you a couple of days after arrival, as well as mailing the original paper report to you. The reports are in general very good, and small customers get the same service as the large ones.
As an Engineer, I have tried several Laboratories and have no problem in recomending Blackstone. The price is good, and the report comments are in general better than what is normal for the Industy. Of course, -it`s crazy to send your sample all the way to the US, but it really works well.
I know if my engines are in good shape or not, and can show the reports when I sell a car.
Regards.
Kenneth Boldermo
