How dumb am I? Proper oil sample

[Rusty Pilot]

I had a recent epiphany.  I had been taking my oil samples for analysis wrong.  Instead of capturing my oil sample from the middle of my drain, I had been taking it from the beginning, resulting in a higher indication of metals.  Since correcting my procedure my 1,300 hour engine is behaving much better.  I am sharing in the hope of helping others avoid my error.

[chrisk]

I suspect a consistent collection methodology is important to observe trends with oil analysis.

[hammdo]

I usually wait until the dip stick shows a couple quarts down while draining…

to keep as consistent as possible…

-Don

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, Rusty Pilot said:

I had a recent epiphany.  I had been taking my oil samples for analysis wrong.  Instead of capturing my oil sample from the middle of my drain, I had been taking it from the beginning, resulting in a higher indication of metals.  Since correcting my procedure my 1,300 hour engine is behaving much better.  I am sharing in the hope of helping others avoid my error.

You will find that your urologist advises the same procedure - catch your sample “midstream”….also known as the “clean catch method”. 
 

Age has its benefits…

Edited March 16, 2023 by 1980Mooney

[PT20J]

On 3/16/2023 at 11:12 AM, Rusty Pilot said:

I had a recent epiphany.  I had been taking my oil samples for analysis wrong.  Instead of capturing my oil sample from the middle of my drain, I had been taking it from the beginning, resulting in a higher indication of metals.  Since correcting my procedure my 1,300 hour engine is behaving much better.  I am sharing in the hope of helping others avoid my error.

Not dumb at all. There are so many things in aviation that are subtle and not obvious and I’ve learned over the years that a lot of things I used to do could have been done better. 

[Guest]

On 3/16/2023 at 2:52 PM, chrisk said:

I suspect a consistent collection methodology is important to observe trends with oil analysis.

Equally important is consistent time on the oil.  Take them as close to the same hours in service.

[SKI]

I bought the little vacuum pump from Blackstone. It really does work great and you literally don't get one drop on the container. I have 2 zipties on my tubing at the proper depth with the tails 180 degrees apart and not snipped off. Drop the tube in until the zipties hit the top of the filler neck and that's that. Just offering another way of doing it. I do believe consistency is key whatever method you use. 

Edited March 18, 2023 by SKI

[Mcstealth]

On 3/18/2023 at 9:12 AM, SKI said:

I bought the little vacuum pump from Blackstone. It really does work great and you literally don't get one drop on the container. I have 2 zipties on my tubing at the proper depth with the tails 180 degrees apart and not snipped off. Drop the tube in until the zipties hit the top of the filler neck and that's that. Just offering another way of doing it. I do believe consistency is key whatever method you use. 

Pictures please?

[Pinecone]

Use the Blackstone vacuum collector for my cars.  But I also use an oil sucked and do not take out the drain plug.

[SKI]

20 hours ago, Mcstealth said:

Pictures please?

I'll take a few next time I'm at the hangar.

[EricJ]

On 3/16/2023 at 1:24 PM, 1980Mooney said:

You will find that your urologist advises the same procedure - catch your sample “midstream”….also known as the “clean catch method”. 

Just don't get the samples mixed up.   Blackstone probably doesn't check for diabetes, etc.