Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
Originally Posted By: UltrafanUK
Originally Posted By: Yup
I understand UOAs for fleet vehicles. You could save money. Lots of it. But why do so many people on here (aside from those of you doing ridiculous change intervals) do UOAs on a 3500 mile change time after time after time? Isn't the purpose to figure out the "sweet spot" to minimize changes? A few people have multiple short intervals and post their UOAs. It's like, "well duh, give me your drained oil so i can run it another 4-7K". Seems idiotic to pay $10-20 for a UOA kit which tells you you could go longer, but you don't, instead of spending the same amount on the oil change for an interval anyone with a brain knows is super short and doesn't need a UOA to tell them that.
Vent over.
I agree with you that it does not make economic sense to be an oil lab fan if you don't use the reaults to extend your OCI to a more sensible figure than the 3K to 5K mile figures often quoted by Iffy Lube shops.
Folks also like getting a UOA done as a type of insurance policy, as it can identify an issue with the head gasket, air filter, injection system or in some diesel related cases, the DPF.
There is also the feel good factor that a nice UOA result gives you!
This is the camp I'm in. I started UOA long before I joined BITOG. I have 3 GM series II engines, which are notorious for the upper (and lower) intake manifold gasket leaks. Mine have been repaired properly, but I can't hardly sleep at night without knowing my UOA. I drive around with a printout of my latest UOA in the factory map pocket behind my driver's seat.
Aside from being a certified BITOG nutcase, I like and take comfort knowing the internal condition of my engines. There isn't a mechanic in the world who can look at what's on your dipstick and tell you what's in your UOA data sheet. Yeah, I guess it's either "insurance" or a comfort thing. I agree that it is economically idiotic. But I'm also using the OA to determine my OCI. Which is probably total economic insanity, since I also have particle counts done and pay close to $50 per sample.
I have constant friendly debates with the guys I work with (who go to Iffy Lube) and spend $24.99 for an oil change. (And pay some teen aged kid to sabotage their car).
Hopefully they buy the drinks during the debates. They're saving about $1k per car over 100k miles with 5k changes. You don't have the money to afford drinks, but it's probably cheaper sleeper aid for you than Ambien... Haha