FlipTrac_511
Well-Known Member
I was given a couple of bottles from BlackStone Labs which tests oil samples for a fee. I decided what the heck and submitted samples of my motor and tranny oil.
Per their diagnoses everything is normal. They commented that the 4.0 in the Trac is one of Ford's nicer engines, and mine is wearing better than most they see. I regularly change my oil every 3K miles with Mobil1 synth. But I submitted ~3K mile old 10W30 Royal Purple. I switched to thicker oil last oil change to see if the (timing chain?) rattle would go away. It didn't but the lab mentioned it was a good idea to try the thicker oil and with the sample data, they could not find an explanation for the rattle.
As for the transmission, they found 0.1% insolubles which according to them is not bad but is the most they like to see, but everything else about my fluid sample was normal. They go on to mention that 26K is the average oil change interval for this transmission type. I think that's how old my transmission fluid is.
They provide some nice feedback plus actual test numbers for each sample. At $24.50 (plus shipping) per sample it was pricey but at least I have some kind of idea what's going on with my drivetrain. I'll probably submit samples again in another 25K miles.
Per their diagnoses everything is normal. They commented that the 4.0 in the Trac is one of Ford's nicer engines, and mine is wearing better than most they see. I regularly change my oil every 3K miles with Mobil1 synth. But I submitted ~3K mile old 10W30 Royal Purple. I switched to thicker oil last oil change to see if the (timing chain?) rattle would go away. It didn't but the lab mentioned it was a good idea to try the thicker oil and with the sample data, they could not find an explanation for the rattle.
As for the transmission, they found 0.1% insolubles which according to them is not bad but is the most they like to see, but everything else about my fluid sample was normal. They go on to mention that 26K is the average oil change interval for this transmission type. I think that's how old my transmission fluid is.
They provide some nice feedback plus actual test numbers for each sample. At $24.50 (plus shipping) per sample it was pricey but at least I have some kind of idea what's going on with my drivetrain. I'll probably submit samples again in another 25K miles.
