Someone sent me a link about this new product that is not quite on the market as of yet called Lubricheck. It allows you to check the quality of your oil and make an informed decision about when a change is required. The website has quite a bit of information on the unit. lubricheck Now here is where it gets "interesting". They are looking for funding to complete the process for manufacturing these and have another site where you make a donation, at a certain level, $30 or more, you get one of these devices assuming they do raise the funds to build the units. There is also a website and app where you can track the readings and change history. However, from my readings this is a subscription model with an annual fee. I'm willing to take the $30 risk and will report back what I find.
These are different animals. A basic Blackstone test is $25. It requires a large sample that you send away and await the results. With this device you pull the dipstick and put a few drops on the unit, test and move on. You can test the oil over and over again with the same device and use it on multiple gasoline powered engines. The Lubricheck says hey, change your oil now. The Blackstone analysis gives you a heck of lot more detail about whats going in with your oil and engine.
Thats pretty darn cool actually. IMO i see this appealing to people who track and auto-x their cars (as far as the MINI community) the most. B/C of the added strain and higher oil temps etc, there really is no exact way of knowing when to change your oil. Good link Nathan !
If this thing works... I think I'd easily be willing to pay $50 or $100. I think its a steal for $30!
Really, how many of us do send oil samples off for analysis? 1% maybe? It's a pain in the ass and we've all been conditioned to change at a mileage or time. Hence the Jiffy Lubes of the world. If a tool such as this does really work it could be very useful. However, with BMW pulling the dipstick even getting a few drops for a test such as this will be darn hard.
I personally have never sent my oil off, and likely never will. Out of all my car buddies i think there are 2 of them that have sent oil samples to Blackstone, and even then the results are 'neat'. I would buy this product in a heart beat if it comes out and is proven accurate and reliable. Even with a dipstick, getting a decent sample for this tester will prove to be a PITA, but a quick lift and loosen the drain plug a hair. Anything that keeps me from having to screw with that damn oil filter housing lol.
I usually send one out every year as it can tell me if there are any problems like fuel or coolant in the oil or other items that may indicate a problem that would need to be addressed. True not very many folks do it, but I like to do a bit more proactive maintenance.
Wanted to post an update on the Lubricheck. I did buy in for 1 in the Kickstarter round of funding. The company is weeks behind, well months to be exact as the plan was to have these in the hands of those that were 1st round backers back in September. That ship has sailed. Last update says they are at least 12 weeks out.
Government work? Read again, the 12 weekdays is from when they reach the next stage and that could be.....WTFK maybe? Good luck!
Remember this thread? Welp they got around to another update. Noting like being about a year behind schedule. I'm not holding my breath for a ship date being any time soon.
Dang.....I was actually going to search for this thread this morning and then I saw your post. :fingerscrossed:
I'm surprised that they didn't use the word "momentarily" in their briefing. Usually whenever I hear that word (used daily by every airline when they have no clue when something will be resolved) I just turn my brain off.
Oil analysis kit Nathan, et al... It was interesting reading your post as Amsoil has been providing oil analysis for some time. The amsoil kit shipped to your house is $27.00, is then sent in and resulted as attached. Results display in graph and analysis form, including recommendation for continued use....if applicable. The attachment are the results from my car. If anyone is interested in a kit let me know.