|
LemonAide for a Used Engine
So you're ready to buy a used car (or truck, airplane, motorcycle,
boat, ATV, jet ski…you get the idea), and you're trying to find out everything you can before you buy it. LemonAide Oil Analysis
is a kit that contains everything you need to do an oil analysis on the engine, and help you determine if this is the used vehicle you want to buy.
What is oil analysis? Oil analysis can help you "see inside" the engine to determine what
condition it's in. Oil analysis is like a blood test. When you have your blood tested, they can tell you if any problems are occurring in your body. Similarly, when we test
the used oil, we can tell you what wear metals and contaminants are present, as well as the overall condition of the engine.
What does the analysis look for? An analysis will tell you about the wear metals the
engine is producing and compare them to average for that type of engine. We'll tell you if any contaminants, like antifreeze, fuel, or moisture, are present. You'll find
out the viscosity of the oil (15W/40, etc.). And we'll tell you if it looks like the air and oil filters are working as they should be. Note that any problem that is not
associated with the oil won't be visible with oil analysis. For example, the alternator is electrical. If it's going bad, we won't be able to see it.
What if the oil was just changed? Oil analysis can best find problems in oil that has
been in use for 1000 miles or more. If the owner of the vehicle has just changed the oil, the engine may look like it's in good condition, even if problems exist. Major issues
(like antifreeze) may still show up, but a more insidious problem like a part that's slowly going bad may not show up.
What does LemonAide include? The package will include instructions, a reusable pump,
tubing for taking the sample, a sample bottle (or two, if you also want to do more than one test), and a postage-paid return mailer and envelope.
How do I get results? When you send your sample in, we will run it ASAP - usually that
same day we receive it. Include an email address or fax, and we'll get the results to you the same day we do the analysis. Or we can put a copy of the results in the mail for
you.
What if the results are inconclusive? If the oil has been in place for a few thousand
miles, oil analysis should be able to tell you the general condition of the engine and if any major problems exist with the parts that share the oil. But there are no guarantees
with oil analysis. If the owner has just changed the oil, we may not find much at all. It's best to take the sample when the oil has at least several hundred miles on it. 1000
miles is better.
How does the process work? You take a sample, either from the engine, the transmission,
or both. You send us the sample. We email or fax the results to you the same day we do the test. Based on what we find in the oil, we should be able to tell you if the engine or
transmission has any major problems—before you buy it.
How is LemonAide different from just ordering a kit? LemonAide is meant for people
who are unfamiliar with oil analysis. It contains a kit and a pump, as well as a prepaid, Express Mail envelope
to return the sample to us, and you pay for it all at once. If you're not in a big hurry and you do your
own oil changes, then you can accomplish the same thing by just ordering a kit from our website and
taking the sample when you change your oil. You'll pay $22.50 when you send in your sample, and pay for postage separately to send it back to us.
One option you can choose is to have us Express Mail the package to you (1- to 2-day delivery). If you
don't choose this option, we will put Priority Mail postage on it to get it to you (usually 2- to 3-day
delivery). Please note that our business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm EST. If you order a
LemonAide kit over the weekend (say, on a Friday night) and choose the option to have us Express Mail the kit to you, it will go out with Monday's mail.
|
