Chatting with an old fleet mechanic changed how I look at oil analysis

Was at a parts counter in Tulsa last Tuesday and this guy in his 70s starts explaining how he caught a failing bearing through oil samples 6 months before it let go. Said he never waited for the lab report to confirm what he already suspected from the smell and texture. Any of you guys run extra checks on your oil yourself before sending it off?

2 comments

2 Comments

richard_mason7d ago

Hell yeah, that old timer knew his stuff lol. I do the smell test every time now before I even bottle it up, if it smells burnt or like sulfur you already know somethings cooking. Plus I'll rub a drop between my fingers to feel for grit, if it feels sandy you got a problem no lab needed. The best check I picked up is putting a drop on a white paper towel and looking at the spread pattern, if the oil doesn't wick out nice and even it's time to pull the filter and look for metal.

matthew_baker7d ago

Feel you @richard_mason, that paper towel trick saved my motor once.