Thread: Engine Oil Testing for TD5

Any of the major oil companies, Castrol used to analyse their oil, free.

I'm on the lookout for a DIY oil viscosity test kit for testing diesel contamination. wont help for coolant.

Just thought I'd mention that option. Would be a handy bit of gear to have around

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

For a variety of reasons the TD5 and my RRC have virtually been off road for most of the last 7 years, and thanks to the tender ministrations of Chivalry should hopefully be fully road ready within a couple of weeks.

Question - where do I go to get an engine oil sample tested - particularly for possible coolant and diesel contamination - and preferably in Perth?

I always had this bookmarked for whenever I was going to do a oil test, Nulon Store – Our online store (engineoiltest.com.au)

Might be a good option ?

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

For a variety of reasons the TD5 and my RRC have virtually been off road for most of the last 7 years, and thanks to the tender ministrations of Chivalry should hopefully be fully road ready within a couple of weeks.

Question - where do I go to get an engine oil sample tested - particularly for possible coolant and diesel contamination - and preferably in Perth?

Go to your nearest CAT dealer and buy a test kit - my last one was $35 IIRC. The price includes postage to their lab, the test and the report.

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

For a variety of reasons the TD5 and my RRC have virtually been off road for most of the last 7 years, and thanks to the tender ministrations of Chivalry should hopefully be fully road ready within a couple of weeks.

Question - where do I go to get an engine oil sample tested - particularly for possible coolant and diesel contamination - and preferably in Perth?

Any major earthmoving supplier will sell you a kit which pays for the postage, analysis and return data.
Cat, Komatsu etc.

Some use Castrol, Mobil, etc. Some have their own labs (Komatsu for example)
Most important the oil is warm/hot when changed and absolutely vital you supply all answers to the "questions", ie, fill out the form correctly which enables them to make more meaningful conclusions re the results found in relation to oil hours, (Klms), type of oil etc etc.
Also, in the "comments" section be sure to mention any concerns you may have.

The other important thing to realise is that the results of just one sample can be somewhat meaningless apart from say, significant Fuel dilution or water presence, or, in the case of say a diff result which is showing very high PQ iron (particle quantifier) which indicates a chipped tooth possible.

It takes two to three results based over two to three oil changes until a "trend" can be determined and truly meaningful determinations can be made.

I get my engine oil analysed every service by Komatsu oil analysis. (KOWA). Results are emailed to me within 24 hrs of them receiving the sample.

I use ALS for my oil samples, however they are not really practical for one off samples as their sample kits are in boxes of 10. Happy to help out with a couple of sample bottles if you need it however

Originally Posted by shanegtr

I use ALS for my oil samples, however they are not really practical for one off samples as their sample kits are in boxes of 10. Happy to help out with a couple of sample bottles if you need it however

We used Castrol oils,for years,and they did the testing for free,as Ian said,which was great,whether it was refrigeration oil,or motor oils.

That came to an end,and we now use ALS as well,but we dont buy them in boxes of 10,just usually two at a time.

Don't do the vehicles anymore,i cant see the point,unless there is an issue,or a possible issue.
We do refrigeration oil testing for customers for numerous reasons.

I've been meaning to upload my used oil analysis (UOA) for my TD5 for a couple of years now.

I've used ALS to provide a good check-up and help guide oil/filter interval changes. They certainly can ship individual test kits (and each return satchel can hold 3 kits FYI if you test other vehicles at the same time). I've only used them for the engine oil but they can do transmission, diff and ? coolant.

In my personal opinion, I change oil based on science, not manufacturer's timeframes. Especially with the great filtration the TD5 has (additional centrifugal has amazing abilities). I never quite understood hearing other TD5 owners changing oil every 5k, especially considering we had dual filtration. But that's just me.

I became a fan of Penrite HPR Diesel 5 (5W-40) semi-synthetic via these forums and the analysis shows it's the goods, and holds up well over extended intervals (combined with the dual filtration and I believe the TD5 as an engine is built solidly tight tolerance wise).

After leaving the engine oil in-situ for a smidgeon over 2yrs, travelled 24k under a lot of hard conditions, only topping up with 1.5L over that time, the UOA show the oil is still good (didn't need changing, although I did together with the centrifugal at the time). The analysis trumps wear in comparison to a more modern diesel engine which is our other non-Landy vehicle.

I'd almost feel confident to do oil changes at 3yrs or 30k based on the result, I'd have to be careful as you can never tell when diesel will leak into the oil via the injectors etc or metal component starts failing that causes further wear. I do continue to change oil on a 2yr timeframe with confidence (and I now also pop in an oil additive Ceretec at a half dose for good measure). I also change my centrifugal at 30k and spin-on filter at 60k. (the centrifugal filters the majority of contaminants and LR themselves recommend the spin-on at a lengthy interval but not many have ever had much confidence with this).

It might help because of slight oil leaks, it gets topped up with a bit of fresh oil which obviously freshens things up a bit along the way.

If someone works out the "km on oil" doesn't match the odo readings, it's cause 9% adjustment been factored in due larger tyres.

Many would say oils and filters are cheap, I don't disagree, but UOA provides a purpose and I don't feel I've shafted or snookered myself....YET!

And of course every engine is different so you shouldn't base any decisions on someone else's UOA really.