Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories

What does Matthew McConaughey have in common with your engine? As it turns out, a lot. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Is synthetic oil still good after twenty thousand miles? Is sludge an issue? A listener had these questions and more about Volkswagen and Audi engines. Blackstone Joe provides some answers. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Knowledge is power, and that’s as true in oil analysis as anywhere. The more information you send in with your sample, the better our analysis will be. A seasoned analyst may be able to arrive at certain conclusions even with little to no context, but as Blackstone Joe attests, the devil is in the details. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Trusting your gut is a good start to vehicle maintenance, but it can only get you so far. Whether it's a coolant leak you're suspicious of, or there's been a recall that may affect your engine, oil analysis can help you confirm those suspicions or lay them to rest. Blackstone Joe explores how in this episode. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Blackstone Joe sits down with fellow analyst Brett Jenkins to talk about what unit IDs are, and to share some of their favorites. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Brett Jenkins Producer: Arryn Dennard

Oil life monitors. Chances are, your car has one on board to let you know when it’s time to change your oil out. But what if you want to run longer than what the OLM suggests? In this episode, Blackstone Joe explores how his own engine oil looked after months of the monitor reporting zero oil life. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Oil samples from engines that are fresh out of the factory, or from recently rebuilt engines, often contain a lot of wear metal and silicon. But why is that? And why do certain parts seem to produce more metal during the wear-in process than others? These were the questions a customer asked us, and in this episode, Blackstone Joe seeks to provide some answers. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Arryn Dennard

Oil analysis is one way to gauge your engine's health. But it isn't the only way. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down what to do when oil analysis can't provide all the answers for a customer with high copper readings in their Lycoming. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Josh Straley

Brett Jenkins, senior analyst, hasn't been at Blackstone long, but she's already had a major impact on the world of oil analysis. Blackstone Joe sat down to talk with Brett to talk about the forms of sabotage that oil analysis can and can't spot in testing. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Brett Jenkins Producer: Josh Straley

Blackstone Laboratories helps you keep your engines, transmissions, and other equipment running smoothly. But what does it take to keep Blackstone Labs going strong? Blackstone Joe talked with Erik DeMarco aka "The Guy"about the maintenance needs of an oil lab (2:25), how working at Blackstone changed his maintenance routines (21:50), and past test results in a new segment, Explain That Sample (25:50). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Erik DeMarco Producer: Josh Straley

This week Slick Talk is time traveling with a reading of This Ain't Your Daddy's ATF by Ryan Stark where ATF, CVTs, and the idea of "lifetime fluids" are all put under the spotlight. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Josh Straley

To begin the new year, Blackstone Joe has updates on the lab, what we're doing to improve turnaround time, and a Q&A segment regarding sampling technique, and what to do if we send you more than one sample kit. The main event is a reading of "Landslide," a newsletter from '04 written by the founder of Blackstone Labs, Jim Stark. This is a one-of-a-kind illustration of used oil analysis and why it matters. Not only is this informative but it's a way to introduce you to our late founder, and his approach to explaining the data that made the Blackstone oil report what it is today. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Josh Straley Featured music: "not me" by Infraction https://bit.ly/3XQpNvQ Music promoted by Inaudio: http://bit.ly/3qxoX6U

Blackstone Joe is ready to wrap up 2023 with another round of q&a with the analyst. Joe answers questions about changing oil change intervals when switching oil brands, pinpointing aluminum bearing wear in analysis, and why it makes sense to send older oil samples in for testing. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Is it time to change your oil? It's nowhere close to being time for the oil and engines in this week's episode. Inspired by a stray bottle of Mobil 1 5W/30 and less than satisfying answers from the Mobil Help Desk, Blackstone Joe digs into a few different examples of oil holding up well over months, years, and even decades. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

From a spectral analysis covering 20 different elements, to a stable of physical tests that help determine everything from viscosity to how effective oil filtration was working, oil analysis truly is a feast of clues. As we're just a few days away from carving the turkey, Blackstone Joe thought it would be a great time to breakdown how we can use the clues in a used oil analysis to help determine the ideal oil change interval, whether you need to change the oil based on calendar time, and how we're able to detect everything from harmless flux washing off a new emissions component to coolant contamination. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

To test a sample we must first unpack it, and it takes a trusted pair of hands to transfer your oil to the lab and the sample details to our system - enter Eric. He's a data clerk by title, but that doesn't quite do his work justice as he's part of the talented team in our receiving area, the front lines as it were, of Blackstone Laboratories. Eric joined Blackstone Joe to answer questions how to properly send a sample, Blackstone's work load, and some of the more interesting samples he's run into during his time at the stone. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Eric Sanchez Producer: Joshua Straley

President Ryan Stark returns to talk to Joe about summer flying and leaded fuel (3:40), company growth and new lab setup (11:50) before answering customer questions about magnetic drain plugs, coolant analysis, flashpoint testing, and how analysts determine an engine's true wear profile (23:50). Last but least, a response to misconceptions about our averages (39:00). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Ryan Stark Producer: Josh Straley

Kristin Huff, Vice President of Blackstone Laboratories, began her oil analysis journey in 2002. In the years since, Kristin has been a focal point of the operation - her one-of-a-kind wit and humor have been essential ingredients to the comments we craft, even going as so far to create the world-famous Blackstone FAQs on our website. As such, it was long overdue for Blackstone Joe to invite Kristin on the show to help break down our approach to report writing. If you ever wanted to learn what the key ingredients are in a well-written comment, the origins of the comment itself, and what makes our report comments one-of-a-kind in the industry, this episode is for you. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Blackstone Joe sat down with the producer of Slick Talk, Josh, to celebrate Slick Talk's 100th episode! Listen for a look back at memorable guest appearances, hot takes, and the journey that was starting and maintaining Slick Talk over 100 episodes of content. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Senior Analyst Suzi Herman joins Blackstone Joe for a discussion about her study of TBNs and TANs (04:10), maintaining her Corolla, Fit, and Chevy S10 (12:10), and her background before joining Blackstone Laboratories (20:00). Read Part 1 of Suzi's TBN and TAN Newsletter. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Suzi Herman Producer: Joshua Straley

Slick Talk & Blackstone Joe are back before Labor Day Weekend with another Meet the Analyst episode with Samir - senior analyst. He tells Joe how Fast & Furious planted the seeds of him being a gearhead and brought him to the Marine Corps (3:35), the journey of his '98 Silvia to the race car it is today (10:38), how working in oil analysis has changed this maintenance routines (15:00), and how customers should approach oil analysis for insurance purposes (20:30). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Samir Kharbas Producer: Joshua Straley

Senior Analyst Raegan Byers is back from California and joins Blackstone Joe with two stories about oil analysis. One about her Toyota Prius (2:30). The other about her husband's Chevy S10 that could be developing its own bearing problem (8:00). Then, Blackstone Joe digs more into Raegan's biology background, how she relates it to oil analysis (10:40), and how's she's maintaining the Prius today (17:20). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Guest: Raegan Byers Producer: Joshua Straley

What does oil analysis and the Dennis Quad action movie Vantage Point have in common? Things can look different from where you're standing. Blackstone Joe breaks down a couple instances where problems in oil analysis don't always make themselves known right away, how you can eliminate variables to find the source of the problem, and why it pays to watch and wait. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Soot. The byproduct of combustion. Every engine is going to have a little of it, but it's a very big deal for diesel engines. So. How much soot is too much? Blackstone Joe breaks everything you need to know about soot, how it will affect an engine, and what Blackstone Laboratories can tell you about the soot levels in your latest sample. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with ⁠⁠our free test kit!⁠⁠ Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Blackstone Joe breaks down questions and concerns ranging from the impact of poor air quality (2:30), responding to skepticism about sampling without changing the oil, (5:25), a customer outside the US wonders how they can get in on Blackstone oil analysis (13:50), and the latest sample from a WRX breaks a nice trend (15:40). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with ⁠our free test kit!⁠ Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Everyone wants their car, pick-up truck, or mini-van's engine to run for a long time. But few people would ever envision an engine lasting over 1,000,000 miles. Justin Kilmer did just that with his Honda Accord's V6. Blackstone Joe talks with Justin Kilmer about his record-setting million miles on his Honda Accord's V-6, the maintenance it took to reach that mark, and how the engine looked in its Blackstone Laboratories samples. Follow Justin on Instagram and YouTube. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with our free test kit! Host: Joe Adams Guest: Justin Kilmer Producer: Joshua Straley

After years of looking at oil reports, especially the reports that don't look so good due to poor wear or contamination, it's important to single out and appreciate the engines that are producing truly exceptional results. This episode takes aim at a 2.0L Turbo EcoBoost sample that just looked too good for our host, Blackstone Joe, to pass up. Listen as he breaks down what made the report so impressive, and how oil analysis is the only way to find out just how well an engine is performing in circumstances like this Focus ST found itself in after a lengthy oil run.

You should never read the comments, but Blackstone Joe braved them for this pod. Blackstone Joe addresses the questions and concerns quite a few commenters had about him sampling his Chevy Blazer without changing its oil. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Senior Analyst Brian Despain is back on Slick Talk to talk in-depth with Blackstone Joe about an 17,000-mile oil change interval on his Honda Civic, why the results didn't look great, and how Brian got the numbers back on track. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit ⁠here⁠. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Your latest dose of oil analysis podcasting is here. This week Blackstone Joe answers a listener question about fuel dilution and water contamination in Yamaha outboard engines (1:20) then discusses three samples (reclaimed fuel oil, industrial hydraulic oil, and one from a Subaru Outback) that required dialing up the customer for more information (5:30). Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here. Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169. Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Meet Brian! His voice may be familiar to you already if you've called in to discuss one of your reports, but today we go beyond the report page and meet the man behind the keys. Blackstone Joe sat down with Brian to learn what brought Brian to the 'stone - it's a winding road that includes a stint with the Marines, narrowly escaping an arranged marriage, and talents beyond report writing. But before calling it a day, Brian presents Joe with a few instances where oil analysis saved the day for Blackstone Labs customers (34:00). Brian is a cool guy - check it out! Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here. Host: Joseph Adams Guest: Brian Despain Producer: Joshua Straley

The pandemic, inflation, and shortages haven't made maintenance easy over the past three years. Customers can't find their usual oil or their usual choice of filter in some cases. This week Blackstone Joe digs into a few situations where oil analysis can help customers sleep easier at night when trying to make do with their engines. Plus, Joe answers a question from friend of the pod, Crazy Dave, about Unit IDs on Blackstone Labs reports. Bonus: Blackstone Joe's recipe for the Greatest Chicken Salad In the World - recipe below 4-6 chicken thighs, boneless/skinless, marinaded in italian salad dressing and grilled over charcoal (or propane if you must, but c'mon) 2 poblano peppers, charred and cleaned before dicing 1 jalapeno, diced* (*can substitute pickles if you don't want spice) 1/2 red onion, diced Juice of one 1 lemon, add zest if desired Add mayonnaise to desired consistency Finish with fresh chopped dill (as much as you like) Season with salt and pepper (ideally Crazy Jane's Hamburger seasoning, if you can find it) Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

We know our customers are interested in learning all they can about the data, but what about the analyst themselves? Hard-hitting questions like, "Are you a cat or dog person," "coffee or tea," "what superpowers did you acquire during quarantine," the list goes on. Blackstone Joe sat down with senior analyst Miranda Beck to break down these very same questions, and much, much more. After getting to know Miranda, we wrap things up with a breakdown of an aircraft sample where the oil held crucial evidence of a cylinder-area problem, and we also break down a sample where the container may have skewed the results, finally wrapping things up with tales of oil analysis circa 1966. Great talk! Host: Joseph Adams Guest: Miranda Beck Producer: Joshua Straley

Every oil has a story, and that's not only the tagline for the best petroleum-based podcast. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down an application for used oil analysis that was new to him, as well as a look behind the scenes of how Blackstone connects with customers beyond the data. We wrap things up with a tale of an interesting sampling technique that had a noticeable impact on the results. It's oil in a day's work, folks.  Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

The eye test for oil is good for many things, but determining the exact viscosity, additive package, and severity of contamination is a bridge too far even for the far-sighted among us. The Blackstone Labs standard analysis will break down the viscosity range the oil falls in, additive elements, and the presence of contaminants such as fuel or coolant. Episode 84 is all about how you'll be better equipped in finding out -- whose oil is this anyway? Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

Blackstone Joe is revisiting one of Slick Talk's very first subjects this week - BMWs and rod bearing wear (3:30). Joe digs into the most at risk engines, how to spot a bearing problem in oil analysis, and a few things to keep in mind when building trends for your own car. And then, Joe tackles a listener question about extended oil use, oil filtration, and how it can affect piston rings in the The Catch Pan segment (19:05). Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley

The New Year is off to an interesting start for Slick Talk. In Episode 82, Blackstone Joe addresses a customer's unique way of testing the pH of a coolant samples (1:10). Then, a customer's curiosity about the difference between hot and cold sampling gives Slick Talk its first Catch Pan segment  of 2023 (6:25), and then finally Joe finally digs into today's main topic of flux compound. What is it? Why do we see it? And how should it be handled for diesel and other turbocharged engine owners (10:30)? Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley 

What was it that Matthew McConaughey said about looking back to move forward? Well, Blackstone Joe must have watched one too many of those commercials, because the start of 2023 finds our host looking back on 2022, fondly of course, with a few different highlights in mind. First, we revisit a past episode and dig a little deeper into low and no-oil situations (2:18).  Next, Blackstone Joe answers Slick Talk's very first caller question (9:00) about a faulty MAP sensor and whether or not fuel dilution in a used oil sample might be related. Third, Joe shares his first experience in an RV-12 aircraft (13:20) - footage from this very same flight can be found on our instagram - check out the reel posted on Nov. 4th 2022. Finally, we wrap up with a voicemail shoutout from collaborator Matt B a.k.a. Garage Engineer (16:25). Got a question or a shoutout for Blackstone Joe? Call us at: 614-407-6169 or email [email protected]. Host: Joseph Adams Producer: Joshua Straley 

'Tis the Pod before Christmas and Blackstone Joe is back with a triple-header of oil analysis topics. Do high wear levels go hand in hand with a high-mileage motor? A Toyota Tacoma and its 1GR-FE hitting 400,000 miles provide insight into our expectations from an aging engine (01:54). Then, Joe tackles an email question about what's the right time to sample a freshly rebuilt Lycoming IO-540 is. Hint: it's sooner than you'd expect (05:25). Thirdly, Joe breaks down the latest sample from an MB SL500, the first since we found high levels right after the new owner had completed the purchase. If you think engines can't improve their wear profile as they age, you might want to think again. Plus! An announcement! The Slick Talk phone lines are open. Leave a message, question, or shoutout for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169 to be featured on an upcoming episode.  Host: Joseph Adams  Producer: Joshua Straley 

A customer recently emailed and had the question: is there a magic number somewhere on this report? They were asking if in any particular area, one number or result could tell them about the overall condition of their engine. Blackstone Joe thought this was an ideal time to break down the lack of an overall score/grade on our oil report, and why we instead opt for a much more comprehensive approach, breaking down the sample in its entirety and explaining why the results are high are low, and the reason why a high/low result may be indicative of a good result or a possible problem. 

A podcast listener wrote in with an interesting question: how do we ensure consistency in the results, no matter who the analyst is? At Blackstone, there is a multi-layered review process that starts with the login process and carries through to the final report. Blackstone Joe is here to break down that approach, as well as give a special s/o to an engine with results that he just couldn't help but share with listeners of the show. 

It's a common scenario in our line of work: engine runs dangerously low on oil and the owner is left to wonder what's the damage. Are repairs, replacement, or a rebuild inevitable? Or, did the engine escape without any obvious issues showing up in the used oil? Blackstone Joe is here to break down two scenarios with very different outcomes, detailing why it's important to not to jump to conclusions and go straight to the data.

The oil you buy probably has a recommended amount of mileage on it, "Good for xxx miles!" the text will usually read. When sending in a sample of the used oil, though, we often find ourselves recommending an interval that contradicts whatever is promised on the label, and some owners (rightfully so) want to know, "What gives?" In episode 76, Blackstone Joe is here to break down one of those very same instances, where the results, one in particular, really, called for a careful approach before extending the interval. The oil you run can certainly make a difference in some results, though, and that's why Blackstone Joe breaks down another example of how high levels of one particular metal can be directly related, and harmlessly so, to the oil the owner used. Enjoy!

Should I sample the first oil change?The short answer: yes. But you'll want to listen as Blackstone Joe breaks down the reason why sampling the first oil change is valuable, even if there is likely to be excess metal and silicon from wear-in and sealer washing outShould I wait to sample until I suspect a problem?It's always a good idea to check on your engine when you think something is wrong, but starting with oil analysis before you suspect a problem is even more valuable. Blackstone Joe digs into the benefits of sampling from the get-go and how you can use oil analysis to your advantage even after discovering a problem.

Picture this: the engine you own is facing either certain contamination or the possibility thereof, and you're now faced with deciding how to proceed with the maintenance plan. You might be wondering whether you should use an additive, if recent work might have impacted the results, or how you can go about looking for symptoms of a problem on your end. In this episode, Blackstone Joe is here to break down the do's and don'ts when it comes to addressing coolant, fuel, or excess dirt in the engine oil.

Today's questions include:What's the difference between gas/diesel and aircraft engine oils?Does it matter if I'm using a filter magnet?Will residual additive skew results?How much oil do I need to sample?What information slip to use?Is oil analysis worthwhile before buying?

No matter the reason for a customer's initial sample, there tends to be a familiar follow-up question: When do I check back? Listen as Blackstone Joe unpacks the question, and how it's important to send in a follow-up sample, especially when harder use is part of the equation.Bonus segments:Used oil analysis - not just for engines!Blackstone Joe responds to internet maintenance tips

It's never a good idea to jump to conclusions, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down an example where an owner noticed low oil pressure, which can be evidence of a bearing problem, but not always. Enter the value of used oil analysis, where the owner was able to find out if the bearings were in fact wearing poorly, or if there might have been another explanation for the engine suddenly having low oil pressure.

It's the age old question. "Do I need to change my oil?"Blackstone Joe is back in Episode 70 to answer this very question by breaking down a sample from his own 2021 Chevy Blazer.With a trip to Louisville looming, will the oil have what it takes to go the distance or is it time for a change?

This episode is comprised of four acts. Act 1: Open: An update on the Paul Blart Saga at Blackstone Laboratories.Act 2: A Lycoming owner switches to 15W/50 and we find a noticeable change in the trends, one element in particular. Was it a problem or not? Listen and you'll hear Blackstone Joe unpack the outcome.Act 3: Seawater can reach the engine oil, but will it always show up the same way? It's all about how severe the situation is. Blackstone Joe explains why there may or may not be water left in the oil, and how we can find evidence of seawater even when there is no actual moisture left in the used oil.Act 4: An update on Slick Talk media