How to Take Crankcase or Reservoir Samples

When taking a sample from an engine, the oil should be hot and thoroughly mixed before sampling.  Always be sure to shut off the engine before obtaining the sample.

When you remove the drain plug from the crankcase, allow about one quart of oil to run out before taking your sample.  Do the same if you are sampling from a reservoir, always making sure to trap the waste oil in a container and then properly disposing of it.

Vacuum Pump

The first method would be to sample the engine or reservoir using a pump, such as the Vacuum Pump.  The steps for this procedure are as follows:

• Remove the oil dipstick.
• Cut a length of 1/4-inch poly tubing approximately 6 inches longer than the oil dipstick (always cut the tubing at an angle).
• Remove the cap from the sample bottle and screw the bottle into the pump, making sure the bottle is seated properly.
• Loosen the knurled knob on the pump and insert the tubing through hole in the knob until the tubing extends about 1 inch into the bottle. Tighten the knob so that the -O- ring seats tightly around the tubing.
• Insert the tubing into the dipstick tube, making sure it extends into the crankcase or reservoir.
• Pull out plunger on pump one time only, wait for the bottle to fill.  Do not pump or push the plunger back in (if everything is tight, the bottle should fill within seconds).
• When the bottle is full, pull the tubing from the dip stick or reservoir, remove the bottle from the pump and cap the bottle, put it in the shipping container, fill out the sample identification form and send it to the lab.
• Discard the tubing and never re-use it.

Push Button Valve-

Another method would be to obtain a sample using a permanently installed sampling valve, such as the Push Button Valve-. This 1/4 " valve is mounted in the oil flow circuit prior to the filter.  The steps for sampling are outlined below.

• Unscrew the dust cap from the valve.
• Allow a few ounces of oil to drain from the valve.
• Take the 4 oz sample bottle and place it under the valve discharge opening.
• Depress the button on the valve, fill the sample bottle and then cap it tightly.
• Screw the dust cap back on to the valve.
• Fill out the sample information form and mail the sample to the lab.

High Pressure Industrial Systems

Samplyzer- Valve is used for higher-pressure oil systems in industrial applications.  This valve is used for systems with a pressure range of 250 to 1500psi.  These types of valves are preferably mounted in the oil flow line, prior to the filters.  The steps for sampling are outlined below:

• If a spring loaded valve assembly is used, attach the sampling needle probe to the 3 or 4 inch piece of tubing that comes with the needle probe (if it is not already attached).
• Insert the sample probe into the valve assembly allowing a few ounces of the oil to drain to flush the line and valve.
• Re-insert the probe and allow enough of the sample to drain to fill the sample bottle.
• Cap the bottle, fill out the sample information form and mail the sample to the lab.
• If using a push button sampling valve that does not require a needle probe or tubing, place bottle under the discharge port of the valve, depress the button and fill the bottle.

  Keep in mind that the laboratory cannot perform accurate analysis unless they have all of the information required on the sample identification form properly completed and sent with the sample.