What's the Value of Engine Oil Analysis?

Periodically analyzing the oil in your vehicle is like the blood work your doctor does as part of your annual physical. Just as the results of your blood tests can alert your doctor to current or future health problems, engine oil analysis provides clues about the health of your engine that help you to address small issues before they become significant problems.

By analyzing a sample of your used engine oil, you can learn if there are problematic levels of contamination, concerning wear rates, and discover insights about the overall condition of your boat's engine.

How Do You Perform Oil Analysis?

You will first need to purchase an oil analysis kit. While there are a number of laboratories on the market that provide this service, we partner with Blackstone Laboratories. We have found their service to be top-notch, reasonably priced, and they turn around the testing quickly. After receiving the oil analysis kit, you simply need to extract a small sample of used engine oil from your outboard (or another vehicle) and mail it to the lab in the envelope provided in the kit.

What Does an Oil Analysis Include?

The following is a summary of the testing performed by Blackstone Laboratories; however, if you use another laboratory, make sure that you receive similar information.

Spectral Exam

In the spectral exam, they run a portion of your oil sample through an instrument called a spectrometer. The spectrometer analyzes the oil and reports the levels of more than 20 metals and additives present in the oil. The results offer a gauge for how your engine is wearing.

Insolubles Test

The insolubles test measures the amount of solids present in the oil. Solids are formed by oil oxidation and blow-by past the rings. This test tells you how well your oil filter is performing, and to what degree the oil has oxidized.

Viscosity Test

The viscosity test measures the grade, or thickness, of the oil. Whether it’s supposed to be a 5W/30, 15W/40, or some other grade, they know (within a range) what the viscosity should be. If your viscosity falls outside an acceptable range, the oil is being mistreated in some way. Perhaps it has been overheated or contaminated with fuel, water, or coolant.

Flash Point Test

The flash point test measures the temperature at which vapors from the oil ignite. For any specific grade of oil, they know at what temperature the oil should flash. If it flashes at or above that level, the oil is not contaminated. If the oil flashes at a lower temperature than it should, it is likely contaminated with fuel, water, coolant, or some other substance.

Oil Analysis Saves You Money

The first and most apparent benefit of oil analysis is that it helps you to understand the health of your boat's engine and address any small problems before they become large problems. Also, if you are considering buying a new boat or new engine for your boat, oil analysis can help identify any issues that might become problematic. In fact, making the results of an oil analysis a condition of offer when buying any used vehicle is a very inexpensive way to save you a lot of time and money.

How Often Should You Test Your Oil?

Oil analysis shouldn’t be just a one-time thing. Oil analysis can help you to identify a specific and immediate problem, but you will achieve the most value when you can compare your results over some time.