Topic: Oil Wear Testing in Calgary?

[rallyman_03]

Hey guys I'm about to hit 10k on my 2017 STI and would like to get my oil tested. I ran mobile 1 for the last 9k but would like to get it tested to see if it's handling it well or if I need to try something else. Anybody know of a place in Calgary that will do the testing without charging an arm or a leg. Preferably somewhere that you have had it tested yourself and had a good experience. Thanks!

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Blackstone, I believe they send kits for free, and charge a reasonable amount for testing.

Not local, but used by a ton of people locally.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

[diamondedge]

Blackstone Labs sends you the kit for free, you pay for the test results. I have one sitting on my desk waiting for my oil change.


I've heard of AGAT doing stuff locally.

http://www.agatlabs.com/industrial/tribology/oil-analysis.cfm

I may use AGAT to compare and see.

[diamondedge]

Damnit, I should have looked here. When search is your friend:

http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=10146.0

Local.

[kijho]

Haha damn, I just ordered one of the kits LDS posted, maybe I'll go get AGAT to do an analysis for me then instead too just out of curiosity!

[rallyman_03]

So it seems AGAT is the way to go then! Thanks guys!

[Ambystom01]

I liked Blackstone.

[rallyman_03]

Got into contact with AGAT. Here is details and pricing

30-401 (Diesel Engines)
Diesel Engine Package - ICP Metal Scan, Viscosities at 40C and 100C, Visual Inspection, Oxidation/Nitration/Sulfation/Soot (Full Infrared Scan), Crackle Test for Water, Fuel % by Gas Chromatography (If Fuel Dilution is suspected), Total Base Number
   $35.00/sample

30-403 (Transmissions/Gearboxes)
Recirculating Lubrication Systems Package – ICP Metal Scan, Viscosities at 40?C and 100?C, Visual Inspection, Oxidation/Nitration/Sulfation (Infrared Scan), Moisture by Karl Fischer (If Crackle Test for Water is Positive), Total Acid Number, ISO Particle Count
   $39.00/sample

30-404 (Gasoline Engines)
Complete Analysis Package - ICP Metal Scan, Viscosities at 40C and 100C, Visual Inspection, Oxidation/Nitration/Sulfation/Soot (Full Infrared Scan), Crackle
Test for Water, Fuel % by Gas Chromatography (If Fuel Dilution is Suspected), TBN and TAN, Iso Particle Count or Patch Test
   $56.00/sample

[kijho]

Will AGAT give you the kit to provide the sample? I have a Blackstone kit, hahaha maybe I can put the oil in the Blackstone contained and bring it to AGAT Planning on a oil change this weekend.

[darthekai]

has anyone used agat and have a report they can share? Curious as to what kind of interpretation they give on the report if at all.

In comparison, blackstone costs about $35 CAD and they do the following tests:

Spectral Exam: Establishes the levels of wear metals, silicon, and additives present in the oil. Also checks for coolant.

Viscosity: Determines the grade of oil.

Insolubles: Quantifies the percentage of solids present in the oil.

Flashpoint: The flashpoint is the temperature at which the vapors from the oil ignite. When the flash is lower than it should be, it shows
a contaminant (usually fuel) is present.


Sample report:

[jellynuts]

Here's a couple from a google search:





What I liked about Amby's Blackstone reports was that they gave a synopsis of the report.  The second AGAT pic here says see reverse (side) for explanation, so maybe they provide this service as well?  But if not, my money would be on Blackstone. 

I remember reading things like, "Amby, your oil is good and you could probably run it for longer intervals" or something to that effect, or like in Ekai's example, "there's fuel and that's bad.  Here's why.  Get your engine looked at".  And I like that.  Periodic table means nothing to me. 

[Ambystom01]

Agreed. The synopsis was particularly useful during the anti-Rotella dark ages we experienced 5ish years ago.

[rallyman_03]

has anyone used agat and have a report they can share? Curious as to what kind of interpretation they give on the report if at all.

In comparison, blackstone costs about $35 CAD and they do the following tests:

Spectral Exam: Establishes the levels of wear metals, silicon, and additives present in the oil. Also checks for coolant.

Viscosity: Determines the grade of oil.

Insolubles: Quantifies the percentage of solids present in the oil.

Flashpoint: The flashpoint is the temperature at which the vapors from the oil ignite. When the flash is lower than it should be, it shows
a contaminant (usually fuel) is present.


Sample report:

How did you find the shipping costs/times for Blackstone, they are down in NY aren't they?

[rallyman_03]

Will AGAT give you the kit to provide the sample? I have a Blackstone kit, hahaha maybe I can put the oil in the Blackstone contained and bring it to AGAT Planning on a oil change this weekend.

You can buy the kit but it is 3 dollars. They accept samples in any clean dry, seal able container.

[Ambystom01]

Shipping was good but I think you have to pay to ship it to them so how fast it gets there is up to you.

[lakelouise02bugeye]

I think i orderd a kit when i saw this thread, hmm i guess ill see it in the mail soon

[jellynuts]

Agreed. The synopsis was particularly useful during the anti-Rotella dark ages we experienced 5ish years ago.

Whoa, now that you mention it, it was your reports that convinced me to make the switch.  I forgot about that. 

[TurboFoz]

From what I see interpreting the results looks better with Blackstone.  Anyone get results from AGAT that can comment on this?  I would much rather support our local industry!  There was a thread from 2009 (link posted earlier in this thread by diamondedge) about a group buy on oil analysis from AGAT.  Local,cheaper,quicker results, sounds like a win.  If AGAT results are relatively easy to interpret then I'm willing to contact AGAT and try to revive the GB if there is interest.

[darthekai]

It look like with AGAT you even have to send in a clean oil sample. Then you compare metal concentrations, viscosity loss, etc directly.

Blackstone it looks like it does analysis, which may or may not be accurate. AGAT will never do this, because of I assume liability. You just have to take the blackstone comments and assume they know more about oil in cars than you (probably true).

[kijho]

Sent in my Blackstone Lab's kit today, super easy to do and you just fill out the form it comes with and add your credit card (I think you can also pre-pay online and put your receipt # on the paper alternatively).

Canada post was $17 to mail with tracking number. They said they usually send the results within a day of receiving your sample via email.

[darthekai]

can you post the sheet here when you get it?

[kijho]

Definitely!

[DaDuke99]

I've used Blackstone in the past and will be doing so again when the 2nd oil changes come around in the Justy and Forester. I have 3 kits in the garage right now, I could spare one if someone's interested. I believe they send you another canister (or give you the option of it) after you send a sample in.

[jellynuts]

I've used Blackstone in the past and will be doing so again when the 2nd oil changes come around in the Justy and Forester. I have 3 kits in the garage right now, I could spare one if someone's interested. I believe they send you another canister (or give you the option of it) after you send a sample in.

Ooh, it's like sharing bread starter?  I'll take one. 

[Ambystom01]

You can ask for more than one sample container at a time.