Fluid Analysis

[Steelmuscle]

I have a SpeedCo Truck Lube a couple miles from my house. Anybody familliar with them? They have a sign out front that says they do instant oil analysis. Is this a worthwhile investment? What is the typical cost? Could I use this analysis to extend oil change intervals SAFELY?

My 3 year-36K mile warranty ran out in April. Not sure if Ford has a longer drivetrain warranty on the PSD itself. Assuming my warranty is completely up, I would like to safely "cut a few corners" for fluid changes. I had been changing my oil every 5k. I may want to extend this with an oil analysis. Is an analysis possible with the trany fluid as well?

Another post mentioned some coolant test strips to check the condition of the coolant.

What do you think? Do the over the road fleets change fluids at mileage intervals or when an analysis dictates a change?

[Steelmuscle]

Probably should have posted this in General Diesel right? Sorry, I'm learning.

[ramblin_wreck]

You're not completely out of warranty yet - the Powerstroke has a 100k mile warranty on it.

As for oil analysis, most folks in here use Blackstone oil analysis. They send you a free kit and you send them a sample. Cost is around $18. I'm not familiar with the specific place you mention, but maybe someone else will chime in.

[TheHammer69]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a SpeedCo Truck Lube a couple miles from my house. Anybody familliar with them? They have a sign out front that says they do instant oil analysis. Is this a worthwhile investment? What is the typical cost? Could I use this analysis to extend oil change intervals SAFELY?

My 3 year-36K mile warranty ran out in April. Not sure if Ford has a longer drivetrain warranty on the PSD itself. Assuming my warranty is completely up, I would like to safely "cut a few corners" for fluid changes. I had been changing my oil every 5k. I may want to extend this with an oil analysis. Is an analysis possible with the trany fluid as well?

Another post mentioned some coolant test strips to check the condition of the coolant.

What do you think? Do the over the road fleets change fluids at mileage intervals or when an analysis dictates a change?

[/ QUOTE ]

The T-check analysis machine used by Speedco is accurate for general oil analysis purposes. The key to oil analysis is using the smae testing type over and over for trend analysis. In other words, doing one test with T-check, then the next test with Blackstone, then the next test with Butler cat will produce a disparity in the results due to each testing method not producing testing results exactly identical to each other.

Hammer