Thread: Oil Analysis

Is there someone on the Forum that might know of a company that is in Michigan (or in the vicinity of Michigan) that does oil sample analysis? I would like to send this sample to a company that has experience doing analysis for Rotax engines.

Hi Dick,

Go here and pick up a couple of prepaid sample kits for about $19. They do a lot of Rotax engines and that's what you are looking for.

http://www.avlab.com

Roger, I went to that website. Just what I was looking for! Thanks.

Roger, once again you demonstrate that you are the ultimate source of Rotax/CT knowledge. You are such a huge resource for this forum. Thanks for all you do.

Mark

Mark, Roger's heard this from me so many times he's getting tired of hearing it. Glad that someone else is carrying the load! There are some here that are major sources of knowledge, wisdom and sound advice. Roger is one.

I've used Avlab tests. It's nice that the history is available as a PDF or a CSV file. The biggest variation I've seen is the
lead and Moly levels, since I had used Honda HP4, CPS AV9 and now Shell Sport-4 oils.
The best price I've seen for the Avlab kit is Spruce part # 08-00931.
CPS (http://www.rotaxparts.net/) has the best prices on oil change supplies.

Does anyone know what a normal analysis looks like for our engines? I had my first oil analysis done, it came back with data on the amounts of various stuff in the oil, but I have no way of knowing what is high, low or normal for these things! - WF

207WF, I called Aviation Lab and spoke with a guy named George Thomas. He was very helpful and said that they do a lot of oil analysis for Rotax engines. I imagine that George or perhaps one of the other contacts listed below may be able to give you some details on your oil analysis? I would be curious if this works out for you?

George Thomas
Lab Services Consultant
800 256-6876

N O T E: Alternate contacts:
Steve Joshy - sjoshy@avlab.com
Stephanie West - swest@avlab.com

WF,

All our oil analysis will be different, just like a blood test. What we are interested in is do the results of each test fall between the normal operating results. Unless the lab points something out to be concerned with you are good to go. The next oil analysis on your plane will be different from the last one because there are chemical reactions going on all the time, but the small changes are normal unless one or more of the test get out of line. Many things can affect the outcome of each test. We should all be doing oil analysis at least by every annual. That isn't that many test over the lifetime of the engine and you are now supposed to be doing these if you want the new 2000 hr. TBO. Even if you don't qualify for the new TBO this is a good early warning system as to issues within the engine.

Just got my second oil analysis back at 407 hours total time. Here is how the two compare. The note from aviation laboratories said: factory cylinders are nickel. Should I start having cylinder anxiety? (these are ppm and other stuff was measured but seemed insignificant.)

Iron Copper Nickel Magnesium Aluminum Silicon
340 hours 4.9 0.9 0.1 228.9 1.0 7.5
407 hours 14.0 6.1 3.9 390.1 3.7 14.3


both oil changes done after about 25 hours. WF