oil analysis

[Rube]

how much oil do i need and who do I send it to for an oil anaysis?

thanks

[kyle4501]

Call your local DD dealer, they should be able to help.

You didn't ask, but for others who may not realize it, a single analysis won't tell much.

An analysis is just a tool, like a compression tester, exhaust analyzer, torque wrench, volt meter, etc.

A series of them at regular intervals along with the maint logs will provide much more information concerning engine health and potential problems.

I have heard that a coolant analysis can be usefull also.

[Rube]

so... since I am going to look a a bus in the very near future - getting a quart from the bus and sending it to a DD dealer for analysis will not give me insight as to the condition of the engine since I don't have a series of analysis's over a period of time? Hope that made sense.

[pvcces]

Rube, the analysis does a couple of different things.

Any given one give you a snapshot and it must be read that way.

Several snapshots in sequence will tell you a story that goes beyond what any single snapshot will.

A single snapshot will tell you a lot about what's NOT wrong.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska

[kyle4501]

A single analysis can tell you some things. But what if the oil was recently changed? What if it was used oil that was put back in to hide a big problem?

I would do the oil analysis, just be careful about reading too much into one snapshot.

If you can drive the bus, take it for a 30+ min ride (longer is better, or so I hear ) & put it on the hi-way before you take the sample.

just my $.02 worth,

Enjoy the trip to look at the bus, and remember, there are lots of good ones out there, so don't settle for a basket case.

[akroyaleagle]

DD has a kit that includes everything you need to do the analysis except the postage. They're about $16 for everything. The postage from Alaska is only a couple of dollars.
If you've never done this try it once and get your eyes opened. It cost less than 5 gallons of fuel.