Blackstone vs. Wix UOA (Used Oil Analysis) - Subaru Outback

Bimmer · 02-22-2013, 02:04 PM

Hi all,

I've posted the Blackstone UOAs from my cars here, but here's something different.

I just bought a bunch of Wix UOAs from Amazon for less than $11 each.

I wanted to see how the Wix UOA would compare to the Blackstone UOAs, so I sent a sample from my last oil change to both. I took both samples at the same time, and even poured oil back and forth between the two containers so that each lab received the exact same oil.

The differences are large, but at least they're pretty consistent.

One surprise: I had understood that Blackstone's total base numbers (TBN) tended to be different, but their number is about the same as Wix's.

Regarding timing, it took Blackstone about 2 weeks to e-mail me my results, and it took Wix 3 weeks to send me the results by snail mail. Blackstone's website is better. Wix's website is buggy, and I haven't been able to access my results on-line at all.

SE95 · 02-22-2013, 02:12 PM

I think I like Blackstone's report better. Seems more information is explained there. I will be sending my first sample into Blackstone soon.

Bimmer · 02-22-2013, 02:18 PM

Blackstone's service is definitely better, but you pay for it...

In any case, I like that Blackstone sends out the kits for free and only charges for the analysis (Wix charges for the kits, which include analysis). Blackstone is faster, and Blackstone's analysis is easier to make sense of (and lists "normal" parameters).

However, Blackstone's UOAs cost $25-30, whereas Wix is less than half that for comparable results.

1 Lucky Texan · 02-22-2013, 02:20 PM

no fuel test from WIX, did I miss it?

SE95 · 02-22-2013, 02:37 PM

The oil in my grand prix is literally BURNED. I'd be interested to see what the Blackstone report would be on that, especially considering the oil has about 10 miles on it.

**AWDFTW** · 02-22-2013, 09:57 PM

You might want to do more work on editing out your personal info in that pdf.

Can read it just fine.

Bimmer · 02-22-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 Lucky Texan

no fuel test from WIX, did I miss it?

Yeah, you're right... I'm not sure if that's a problem or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

You might want to do more work on editing out your personal info in that pdf.

Yeah, I'm not too worried about it. My real name, address, and phone number aren't that hard to figure out, anyway...

TooSlick · 02-23-2013, 07:21 AM

Blackstone and Oil Analyzers Inc both do a good job. I prefer the latter because they include TBN testing at no extra charge. They also test for oxidation and nitration rather than just showing "total solids". The Ox/Nitr numbers provide insight into how well the engine is running and if the emission control system is functioning properly. Of course you have to understand how to interpret the raw data.

The TBN's measured by Blackstone tend to run lower than other labs. However they are consistent from test to test....

TS

BHopkins · 02-23-2013, 10:08 AM

Has anyone tried Polaris Labs? The information on their website would lead one to believe that they are a leader in the industry, with most of their business being industrial fluid analysis. They also offer the service of training others to start their own labs.

Just wondering. I do like the Blackstone lab reports.

TooSlick · 02-24-2013, 02:09 AM

Oil Analyzers contracts out their testing to Polaris labs throughout the US. That's really who I was referring to.

TS

02-22-2013, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
SE95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Car: 2004 Outback Wagon, 2.5, 4EAT, All weather package. Posts: 566 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think I like Blackstone's report better. Seems more information is explained there. I will be sending my first sample into Blackstone soon. __________________ Mike F 2004 Subaru Outback Wagon - 122,000 miles, 2.5 H4 EJ251, 4EAT, DD 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - 190,000 miles, L26/L67 hybrid, 4T65E-HD, lowered, Comp G wheels, SD headers, FWI - Toy/money pit Love: it's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru

02-22-2013, 02:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
1 Lucky Texan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: behind the Krell Metal door Car: 03 H6 OBW & 06 WRX Sportwagon Posts: 4,274 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	no fuel test from WIX, did I miss it? __________________ Time Flies Like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana!

02-22-2013, 02:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
SE95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Car: 2004 Outback Wagon, 2.5, 4EAT, All weather package. Posts: 566 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The oil in my grand prix is literally BURNED. I'd be interested to see what the Blackstone report would be on that, especially considering the oil has about 10 miles on it. __________________ Mike F 2004 Subaru Outback Wagon - 122,000 miles, 2.5 H4 EJ251, 4EAT, DD 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - 190,000 miles, L26/L67 hybrid, 4T65E-HD, lowered, Comp G wheels, SD headers, FWI - Toy/money pit Love: it's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru

02-22-2013, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,022 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You might want to do more work on editing out your personal info in that pdf. Can read it just fine. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 125,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

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02-22-2013, 02:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bimmer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Humboldt County, CA Car: 2008 OB XT Limited; 2002 Impreza 2.5TS Posts: 1,268 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Blackstone's service is definitely better, but you pay for it... In any case, I like that Blackstone sends out the kits for free and only charges for the analysis (Wix charges for the kits, which include analysis). Blackstone is faster, and Blackstone's analysis is easier to make sense of (and lists "normal" parameters). However, Blackstone's UOAs cost $25-30, whereas Wix is less than half that for comparable results.

02-23-2013, 07:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
TooSlick Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Car: 2006 Outback/ non-turbo, auto Posts: 278 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Blackstone and Oil Analyzers Inc both do a good job. I prefer the latter because they include TBN testing at no extra charge. They also test for oxidation and nitration rather than just showing "total solids". The Ox/Nitr numbers provide insight into how well the engine is running and if the emission control system is functioning properly. Of course you have to understand how to interpret the raw data. The TBN's measured by Blackstone tend to run lower than other labs. However they are consistent from test to test.... TS

02-23-2013, 10:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
BHopkins Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Tremonton, Utah Car: 2013 Outback, 2.5i Limited w/ Moonroof Posts: 74 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Has anyone tried Polaris Labs? The information on their website would lead one to believe that they are a leader in the industry, with most of their business being industrial fluid analysis. They also offer the service of training others to start their own labs. Just wondering. I do like the Blackstone lab reports.

02-24-2013, 02:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
TooSlick Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Car: 2006 Outback/ non-turbo, auto Posts: 278 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oil Analyzers contracts out their testing to Polaris labs throughout the US. That's really who I was referring to. TS

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