X-ray vision would be a really handy skill to have when it comes to engine maintenance.
You can perform all the necessary checks and maintenance tasks, but you can never really see inside your vehicle’s engine to see exactly how it is operating.
Instead of researching how to develop superhuman abilities, we have the next best thing!
Oil analysis.
Performing an analysis of your engine oil is the perfect way to assess whether your lubricated machine is operating according to your expectations and can flag any potential problems before they become an issue.
So, let’s look at what oil analysis is, why it is a powerful tool, and how you can take advantage of it.
What Is Oil Analysis?
Oil analysis is a procedure that evaluates the condition and performance of the lubricant in an engine. This process provides you with key information about not only the oil itself, but also the overall health and functionality of the engine.
Oil analysis involves three steps:
- Collection of an oil sample
- Expert analysis of said sample
- Production of a diagnostic report with insightful information about your engine performance
This process can be undertaken by a professional mechanic or with the right kit, any vehicle owner can obtain the necessary oil sample. That sample can then be sent to a Lab (like the one here at Blud Lubricants) for analysis and a report will be produced and sent to you in return.
What Can Oil Analysis Tell You?
Oil analysis helps you to develop a proactive maintenance strategy for your racing engine. By performing various tests and checks, oil analysis can give you information about the following areas:
Lubricant Effectiveness
To provide effective lubrication to your engine, you need to use an appropriate oil and the lubricant itself needs to remain in good condition. Analyzing the oil will assess its current physical and chemical state which will give vital information about the condition, viscosity, acidity, and water content of your lubricant, along with defining its RUL (remaining useful life).
Engine Health
Analysis not only examines the health of the oil, but it can also tell you about the health of the engine itself. By analyzing the oil, signs of wear, contamination or potential other issues can be detected. This can help you gain greater insight into what’s going on in your engine, identifying potential problems before they become major issues or expensive repair jobs.
Maintenance Alerts
Because the analysis process provides insight into the condition of your engine, it can allow you to optimize your maintenance schedules. Rather than following a fixed interval maintenance schedule, you can perform your maintenance tasks when the analysis indicates they are needed. This is great as you can service your engine based on its specific needs, optimizing performance and minimizing the need for costly repairs.
Contamination Checks
Racing conditions can be extreme, any number of contaminants can enter your engine, potentially impacting your vehicle’s performance. Everything from water, dirt, metal particles and other debris can enter your lubrication system. These contaminants can accelerate the process of wear on the various components in your engine or potentially even cause damage. Being able to detect contaminants early maintains the reliability of your engine and protects it from unnecessary damage.
Oil Changes
Changing your engine oil is a necessary maintenance task and one that is normally done on a set schedule of elapsed time or mileage. But, if you perform regular oil analysis, you can determine exactly when your oil has reached a degradation point where changing it is necessary. At one end of the spectrum, it prevents unnecessary oil changes and reduces waste, and at the other end, it ensures you don’t leave the change too late.
Why Perform Oil Analysis?
There are a number of beneficial reasons to perform oil analysis on your engine.
They are:
Optimized Performance
Racing engines operate hard, fast and hot. It takes proper care and lubrication to keep them operating optimally under these intense conditions. By completing regular oil analysis, you can ensure that your lubricant is doing what it should to protect your engine against premature wear or potential damage that could negatively impact your performance. Maintaining optimal oil quality ensures your engine can deliver maximum power and reliability when you drive.
Failure Prevention
When you race, your engine is pushed to its limits, making it more susceptible to potential failure. Utilizing oil analysis allows you to detect early signs of engine wear, contamination, or other issues that could lead to problems or failures on the track. By addressing these issues proactively, you minimize the risk of costly engine damage and reduce downtime during racing.
Prolonged Engine Life
Longevity and performance are two things that every racer wants out of their engine. Regular oil analysis helps you to identify factors that could shorten the lifespan of your engines. Analysis can bring things like excessive wear, fuel dilution, or contamination to your attention. By addressing these issues promptly and making informed maintenance decisions, you can prolong the life of your engines and enjoy more hours of racing fun!
Maintenance Insights
Analyzing your oil provides valuable insights into the overall health and performance of your engine. You can then use those insights to fine-tune your maintenance practices. That can include selecting the right synthetic racing oil, when you perform an oil change and how you might optimize various components for maximum performance and longevity.
How Can You Undertake Oil Analysis?
As you can see, oil analysis can be a really vital part of your engine maintenance. So, what is the easiest way to undertake it?
The great news is that you can do part of the task yourself in your very own garage! With a Blud Lubricants Oil Analysis Kit, you can collect a sample of your oil yourself. Then, simply send it to our Lab and our experts will perform the necessary analysis tasks to produce a comprehensive diagnostic report that will tell you everything you need to know about your engine’s performance.
Quick, easy and painless, you’ll have the report in your inbox and can use it to make informed decisions about the maintenance and performance of your engine.
You can browse our Oil Analysis Kits online here.