This is Why I Don't Change My Oil

[CompFi]

This thread got me thinking about how much more I would like to learn about my engine. So, I will give it a go and send off a sample to Blackstone.

But, I am missing a key part of the process. What is the recommended approach for drawing an adequate sample of used oil without emptying the whole oil pan? And ideally without making a mess?

Making a mess might be the only area where I excel.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by CompFi

What is the recommended approach for drawing an adequate sample of used oil without emptying the whole oil pan? And ideally without making a mess?

Blackstone will sell you a small vacuum pump that looks like the little air pumps we had as kids to pump up those red rubber balls we would use for kick ball, killer dodge ball, and the like. It draws the oil directly in to a little plastic bottle that they send out for free to take the sample. You then run a small plastic tube down through your dipstick until it touches the bottom of the pan. Then back it out about two inches and wrap that spot with tape so you can easily fish the tube down and it will stop with the end of the tube right in the middle of your sump. Then just draw a vacuum with the pump and it will fill your bottle with a nice sample from the middle of the pan. Unscrew the bottle from the pump, put a cap on the bottle, put it in a box with a form and a check and send it off to Blackstone. It's about as easy as you could possibly imagine.

[CompFi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

It's about as easy as you could possibly imagine.

It does sound easy, maybe even I can get it right.

Thank you for the detailed response!