Frequency of oil change in low use small engines.

[Gary Fowler]

Yes it is. Where are the tests found on the Amsoil site? I find their oil to expensive compared to Rotella T6, which I just got at Walmart for $22/gallon w/ a $5 rebate.

I for one don't see a value in oil testing once a year and then changing the oil anyway. Just change the oil for about $25 + filter cost and then for sure you have good oil. So what if you find some wear particles in the oil, are you going to tear down a new engine looking for something worn or just keep running it till it quits. I think most of us would just keep running it till it broke or at least was diagnosable then we would know what was wearing and fix it.
I believe the oil analysis is only good for high mileage vehicles like over the road trucks and other large engines that take many gallons of oil to change it, then only good if you just change the filter and keep the original oil.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I for one don't see a value in oil testing once a year and then changing the oil anyway. Just change the oil for about $25 + filter cost and then for sure you have good oil. So what if you find some wear particles in the oil, are you going to tear down a new engine looking for something worn or just keep running it till it quits. I think most of us would just keep running it till it broke or at least was diagnosable then we would know what was wearing and fix it.
I believe the oil analysis is only good for high mileage vehicles like over the road trucks and other large engines that take many gallons of oil to change it, then only good if you just change the filter and keep the original oil.

This sounds reasonable.

If testing is 50% of a oil/filter change then why do it. Knowing the metal, etc content is good for fleet operators.

 

[kenmac]

This sounds reasonable.

If testing is 50% of a oil/filter change then why do it. Knowing the metal, etc content is good for fleet
operators.

I tested to see how the oil was performing over 1 yr period. If the lab results would have been bad. I would have change sooner next change.. With the lab results that I received ,I may just change 1.5 yrs and test again.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Oil is cheap compared to a engine. Just change it.

Chris

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Oil is cheap compared to a engine. Just change it.

Chris

Now do not go and get LOGICAL on us.

 

[Soundguy]

is the oil test done by the oil maker or an outside independent lab?

I'd have questions about one done in house I think...


I agree with others.. engines are big$$ change it. 1x year isn't asking alot..

my f450 doesn't get 3000m a year on it and it gets a 1x yer change.. 15qts of oil and a filter is not that bad compaired to buying a new engine ( syn or not.. etc.. )

 

[Gary Fowler]

I tested to see how the oil was performing over 1 yr period. If the lab results would have been bad. I would have change sooner next change.. With the lab results that I received ,I may just change 1.5 yrs and test again.

I think you can pretty well bet that if major manufacturers say change at XXXX miles OR ONCE A YEAR then you don't need to test the oil to verify that it is good for a year. AS others have said, once a year isn't going to bankrupt anyone if they can afford the equipment, surely a couple of gallons of oil and a filter wont break the bank so why add to that the cost of an oil analysis. I think for the average owner that oil analysis is a fad like STP in the oil for "extra protection" when it did nothing for the average car engine.

 

[TomSeller]

Small engines often don't have filters in which case increases the need to change the oil

 

[kenmac]

I think you can pretty well bet that if major manufacturers say change at XXXX miles OR ONCE A YEAR then you don't need to test the oil to verify that it is good for a year. AS others have said, once a year isn't going to bankrupt anyone if they can afford the equipment, surely a couple of gallons of oil and a filter wont break the bank so why add to that the cost of an oil analysis. I think for the average owner that oil analysis is a fad like STP in the oil for "extra protection" when it did nothing for the average car engine.

Each oil performs differently in different engines driving habits, etc, If the oil I use isn't performing. I can always change brands.There's no way I would do extended drains without oil analysis

 

[kenmac]

is the oil test done by the oil maker or an outside independent lab?

I'd have questions about one done in house I think...


I agree with others.. engines are big$$ change it. 1x year isn't asking alot..

my f450 doesn't get 3000m a year on it and it gets a 1x yer change.. 15qts of oil and a filter is not that bad compaired to buying a new engine ( syn or not.. etc.. )

Oil Analyzers perform my analysis. The sample was Rotella T6...The point of my analysis is/was, I know the oil held up for 1 yr. change with 1000 miles on the oil.Without the sample test ,It would only be a guess