2013 Discovery 4 SDV6 SE 85k km

The oil itself is still ok and could go further, but obviously contamination levels do start to accumulate over time as the engine filter does not remove everything and fuel dilution can start to be an issue. From my sample history these engines do show iron as the main wear contaminant - I originally was using Valvoline synpower FE - 5W30. I've since changed to Synpower 5W40 and I see a reduction in iron levels - not a huge reduction, but still its a noticeable reduction.
If anyone in Perth does there own servicing and would like to find out how their oil is doing then shoot me a PM and I might be able to grab a sample at your next change.

Shane pal, friend, buddy. As a fellow Perthite I’d love to take you up on the offer.

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Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Shane pal, friend, buddy. As a fellow Perthite I’d love to take you up on the offer.

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Wot, has Shane deserted Tom Price?

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Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Shane pal, friend, buddy. As a fellow Perthite I’d love to take you up on the offer.

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It is very easy for anyone to carry out their own oil analysis, be it engine oil or any other "wet" compartment. Just go to your (for example) nearest Komatsu or Caterpillar dealer. In the case of Komatsu (I worked there for 27 yrs as a senior state mngr, Tasmania) ask for a KOWA (Komatsu Oil wear Analysis) sample kit. for around $27 (price may have risen since I retired) you get a bottle and all relevant paperwork. With the oil warm/hot, drop some into the bottle. With CAT it is an SOS oil sample kit. Fill out the form CORRECTLY showing such such things as total Klms; klms on that oil since last change, oil brand, oil type, viscosity, etc, your name address and contact number. Post it via Aus Post to the address shown. The Lab will call you within 24 hrs of receiving the sample if there is a major problem, otherwise the result sheet with results in ppm, Trend graph, and lab technicians comments etc will be mailed to you. Now, the most important thing to realise with these analysis' is that you look at the TRENDS. ie, is the amount of iron in ppm rising, steady or dropping over a period of time/klms? You'll need at least 3 samples of any compartment before you can read the graph/trends as being meaningful. Expect iron to rise slowly in any oil results graph as it is the natural wear process of components made of that material. However, it is the amount (in ppm) and by how much it rises over a period of klms that is the issue. Same applies to all other wear metals and possible presence of coolant water etc. It is essential you fill out the form correctly so that the lab techs can make meaningful decisions and make suitable comments/recommendations to you. eg, some engine oils have high zinc amounts as an additive, so knowing if your oil is one of them, is essential. By knowing the viscosity they can determine if it is watered down by fuel presence, although they also do a 'flash test' to see how volatile it is. It is a worthwhile exercise but a word of warning, it can frighten you sometimes! Just remember.... how the results are TRENDING.

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Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Wot, has Shane deserted Tom Price?

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Yep, left a couple of months ago now. Just realized I hadn't updated my profile here - fixed that now

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Originally Posted by Discodicky

It is very easy for anyone to carry out their own oil analysis, be it engine oil or any other "wet" compartment. Just go to your (for example) nearest Komatsu or Caterpillar dealer. In the case of Komatsu (I worked there for 27 yrs as a senior state mngr, Tasmania) ask for a KOWA (Komatsu Oil wear Analysis) sample kit. for around $27 (price may have risen since I retired) you get a bottle and all relevant paperwork. With the oil warm/hot, drop some into the bottle. With CAT it is an SOS oil sample kit. Fill out the form CORRECTLY showing such such things as total Klms; klms on that oil since last change, oil brand, oil type, viscosity, etc, your name address and contact number. Post it via Aus Post to the address shown. The Lab will call you within 24 hrs of receiving the sample if there is a major problem, otherwise the result sheet with results in ppm, Trend graph, and lab technicians comments etc will be mailed to you. Now, the most important thing to realise with these analysis' is that you look at the TRENDS. ie, is the amount of iron in ppm rising, steady or dropping over a period of time/klms? You'll need at least 3 samples of any compartment before you can read the graph/trends as being meaningful. Expect iron to rise slowly in any oil results graph as it is the natural wear process of components made of that material. However, it is the amount (in ppm) and by how much it rises over a period of klms that is the issue. Same applies to all other wear metals and possible presence of coolant water etc. It is essential you fill out the form correctly so that the lab techs can make meaningful decisions and make suitable comments/recommendations to you. eg, some engine oils have high zinc amounts as an additive, so knowing if your oil is one of them, is essential. By knowing the viscosity they can determine if it is watered down by fuel presence, although they also do a 'flash test' to see how volatile it is. It is a worthwhile exercise but a word of warning, it can frighten you sometimes! Just remember.... how the results are TRENDING.

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Yes a one off sample is not generally an indication of wear trends - however you can still pick up the status of the oil itself and the overall contamination levels. Although I wouldn't always rely on the lab technicians comments - The lab I use in Perth (ALS) processes around 2000 samples per day so the comments are generally generic and they don't always account for the past trends.

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Originally Posted by shanegtr

Yes a one off sample is not generally an indication of wear trends - however you can still pick up the status of the oil itself and the overall contamination levels. Although I wouldn't always rely on the lab technicians comments - The lab I use in Perth (ALS) processes around 2000 samples per day so the comments are generally generic and they don't always account for the past trends.

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Yes, quite correct & good points Shane. I forgot to mention that you don't need "trends" to see that dust (Silicon, Si) would be picked up straight away as being too high and is a strong indication of faulty/knackered air filter element or worse still a leak somewhere in the air inlet system. So for example, the presence of Silicon (dust) Sodium (Na, Coolant water) and Flash Point (fuel in oil) will be picked up so an immediate fix can be done.
Having said that, Silicon in small amounts ppm can be an additive in the engine oil hence the need to fill out the form correctly with all info. I also forgot to add that the price of the Analysis Kit includes the cost of Aus Postage and the ALS Lab fee to process. It is a one-off all inclusive cost.