Marine Oil Sampling Procedure

1. Run the engine (don’t just idle) about 20 minutes before sampling to get the oil hot and cook out any moisture or fuel build-up. Then let the engine cool down so you don’t get burned.
2. If you’re changing the oil, try not to get either the first or the last oil out of the pan.
3. If you are using a pump, thread the tube down the dipstick and pull the sample into the white bottle. The tubing can be cleaned with kerosene.
4. We need 3 oz to complete all our tests. But even if you only have 1 oz, we can still do at least most of our tests. If you have questions call us at 260/744-2380.
5. Complete the oil sample information slip.
   1. The Unit ID is what you’d like to call this engine (ideally the boat’s name, plus port, starboard, generator, etc.).
   2. Make-Up Oil is the number of quarts added between oil changes.
   3. Wrap the oil sample in the gray material and put both in the plastic bag. Put that in the black mailer tube. Put that and the form into the white envelope and drop it in a mailbox.

Some post offices mistake oil samples for hazardous material. Oil is not hazardous material. Blackstone Laboratories’ oil sample kit meets all postal requirements. For a letter describing how our kit meets USPS requirements, click here.