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delmarrey · 16-04-2007, 18:39

This is not a yes or no in regards to the test but just info.

The purpose of the test is to seek out impurities in the oil. It will tell you if it's been over heated or frozen. It will tell you if your parts are wearing and which ones. And as above, if there is water in the oil.

The oil is filtered thru a membrane and the particles that come out are analyses to determine which metals are present. This will include ball bearings, babbit bearings and bronze bearings.
The remaining oil it tested for lubricity and viscosity. Over heating and freezing will change oil molecular structure.

Two things should be required a sample of old hot oil and a sample of the original unused oil for comparison. Along with the amount of hours on the oil and if any had been added over the course of its lifetime. There should be at least 100 hours unless it's really old. And then it will probably not be enough for metal detection unless it's really bad.

I send in samples from several pieces of equipment at work on a regular schedule. If your motor and saildrives have low hours this may not be warranted but if the hours are getting up there it may not hurt to see if any metals are showing up.

As for saildrives you'll want to change seals on those in a scheduled maintenance time frame. In doing so it'll ensure the least likelihood of a water intrusion.

16-04-2007, 18:39	#5
delmarrey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Boat: Choate 40 Posts: 3,924	FYI This is not a yes or no in regards to the test but just info. The purpose of the test is to seek out impurities in the oil. It will tell you if it's been over heated or frozen. It will tell you if your parts are wearing and which ones. And as above, if there is water in the oil. The oil is filtered thru a membrane and the particles that come out are analyses to determine which metals are present. This will include ball bearings, babbit bearings and bronze bearings. The remaining oil it tested for lubricity and viscosity. Over heating and freezing will change oil molecular structure. Two things should be required a sample of old hot oil and a sample of the original unused oil for comparison. Along with the amount of hours on the oil and if any had been added over the course of its lifetime. There should be at least 100 hours unless it's really old. And then it will probably not be enough for metal detection unless it's really bad. I send in samples from several pieces of equipment at work on a regular schedule. If your motor and saildrives have low hours this may not be warranted but if the hours are getting up there it may not hurt to see if any metals are showing up. As for saildrives you'll want to change seals on those in a scheduled maintenance time frame. In doing so it'll ensure the least likelihood of a water intrusion.