Oil sampling is a great tool to give an open view of the internal running of your boat’s engine. It is an analysis of a lubricant’s properties, suspended contaminants and wear debris. Tracking oil analysis sample results over the life of your engine, will also help establish trends which can eliminate costly repairs.
When doing an oil analysis, we take an 80ml sample from your engine oil and express bag it to the locally based laboratory. They then analyse all materials on a periodical table, ie. magnesium, lead, zinc etc. and send us back the detailed results.
The results come back as a brief ” action” description as per the sample below. This one below is a gearbox that contains saltwater through fishing line around the prop shaft that had damaged the shaft seals.

As you can see the sodium levels are quite high which indicates a saltwater entry, clutch packs then again, are burnt by high iron and aluminium results.
These same sample kits can be used for all engine fluids, coolant, gearbox, steering we use these for pre-purchase inspections, to back up our physical inspections.
For a limited time we are offering a free oil analysis with every diesel service. Book your service before Easter and take advantage of this offer!
Fact: The study of wear in machinery is called tribology.
I have a 1974 Grand Banks with two original John Deere Ammarine 6404D engines I’d like to get th eoil tested on.
It’s actually in France where I am but I will be in Sydney in a week. I was thinking of bringing samples back home to analyse the oil.
How much is the analysis and is there any detail I need to address when collecting the oil? Can I pump out the dipstick well? Or do i need to drain from the sump?
Run to operating temp first?
Thanks
Hi Larry oil sample kits are only $56 including the postage to the lab and you drain oil through the dipstick into a bottle with a tube provided. Ideally you use a small handheld vacuum pump
You then post this away and about 5 days later get your results by email
The oil ideally is more than 30 hours old and any temp is fine