{"id":1049,"date":"2024-03-18T17:09:04","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T17:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/staging\/?page_id=1049"},"modified":"2024-03-18T17:09:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T17:09:21","slug":"fluid-analysis-fluid-inspections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/fluid-analysis-fluid-inspections\/","title":{"rendered":"Fluid Analysis – Fluid Inspections"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy does Quality RV Inspections offer fluid analysis services?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Your engine, transmission and generator contribute a large portion to the overall cost of your RV and, as you probably know, the engine and transmission are essential to moving the RV around the country. Likewise, your generator provides the comforts of home. So, why take risks of something going wrong with these critically important components when it\u2019s so\u00a0easy and economical\u00a0to get the data you need to ensure that your engine, transmission and generator stay as\u00a0worry free, reliable and roadworthy as possible.\u00a0<\/strong>Oil and coolant analysis allows owners to \u201csee inside\u201d the engine, transmission, and generator and adds a whole new level of diagnostics that you can\u2019t get any other way.<\/p>

Think of it as\u00a0\u201cHealthcare for RVs\u201d.\u00a0<\/strong>Internal parts depend on oils and coolants remaining stable and contaminant free between normal service intervals. Oil and coolant analysis is the only way to tell if there are any issues with oil or coolant breakdown and\/or contamination that you should know about. Not only do we check oils and coolants for thermal breakdown, mechanical breakdown or contamination; but, we also check for internal part wear. Oil and coolant testing allows you to know about things that need your attention long before you get into issues that could result in costly repairs, road calls or lost travel time. Knowing the condition of your oils and coolants, either through initial inspection or follow-up annual sampling and analysis, improves the overall reliability of your RV drivetrain and generator systems. Quality RV Inspection\u2019s oil and coolant analysis service, brings you the peace of mind that only comes with knowing for sure that your RV\u2019s engine, transmission, and generator remain as \u201cworry free\u201d as possible.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy should I consider adding oil and coolant analysis to my RV inspections?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Let\u2019s say you own a large diesel pusher. In this case, the engine and transmission alone make up a large portion of the cost of your RV and they are absolutely essential to moving the RV down the road. So, why take a chance on something going wrong when it\u2019s so economical to find out for sure that your engine, transmission, cooling system and generator stay as reliable and worry free as possible through periodic oil and coolant analysis.\u00a0Think of it as \u201cHealthcare for RVs\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>

Oil and coolant analysis allows you to virtually \u201csee inside\u201d your engine, transmission, cooling system or generator and adds a whole new level of data and diagnostics that you just can\u2019t get any other way. Internal parts depend on your oils and coolants remaining stable between service intervals. Oil and coolant analysis will tell you if you\u2019ve got any issues with oil or coolant breakdown or contamination.<\/p>

Not only do we check your lubes and coolants for any sign of thermal or mechanical breakdown or contamination; but, we also check it them for any sign of internal part wear. Oil and coolant analysis allows you to find things that may need your attention before you get into serious problems, road calls and lost vacation or travel time. Knowing the condition of your oils and coolants, through periodic sampling and analysis, improves overall reliability and gives you that peace of mind you\u2019d like when it comes to knowing that you won\u2019t have any\u00a0unexpected problems with your engine, transmission, cooling system or generator.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does oil and coolant analysis affect normal service intervals?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Most service intervals\u00a0(also known as Preventive Maintenance or \u201cPM\u201d schedules)\u00a0<\/em>call for oils and coolants to be changed based on accumulated mileage or on hours of use or elapsed calendar time. Changing oils and coolants is \u201cgenerally\u201d a good idea but often it\u2019s not the most economical method of maintaining RV engine, transmission or generator fluids.<\/p>

\"FluidLet\u2019s say the fluids were changed\u00a0 too soon\u00a0 or\u00a0 before\u00a0 it\u2019s necessary. If there\u2019s still plenty of life left in them, that\u2019s like\u00a0throwing money down the drain. On the other hand, if you fail to change fluids when they\u2019re worn out or contaminated, you take the chance of getting into some serious problems that can put your RV in the shop and drain your wallet. If you\u2019re changing oils and coolants without having them analyzed, you\u2019re missing out on some pretty important information that could make a real difference in your plans.<\/p>

Oil and coolant analysis is a\u00a0useful diagnostic tool\u00a0<\/strong>that offers you and your service technician a whole new level of understanding. It allows you to see inside the equipment and determine the true condition of your engine, transmission and generator. It improves your ability to assess these critical RV systems for wear and contamination that could lead to early failures if left unchecked.\u00a0Fluid analysis enables you to observe systems at a \u201cmicroscopic level\u201d.\u00a0<\/strong>This greatly improves your ability to learn about issues that need your attention so you can have them fixed at the earliest opportunity, long before serious problems occur. You\u2019ll know when oils and coolants begin to break down or become contaminated and you\u2019ll be able to see internal part wear issues if they exist.<\/strong><\/p>

In short, oil and coolant analysis increases your ability to detect minor problems and schedule repairs, if needed, before they result in breakdowns, repairs and lost travel opportunities. You just can\u2019t get that from draining and replacing your RV oils and coolants.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat will the oil analysis tell me?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Oil analysis measures additive levels, wear metals, contaminants\u00a0(such as water or internal coolant or fuel leaks)<\/em>, soot levels, viscosity, oxidation, and nitration. First, the oil is checked for viscosity loss\u00a0(thinned out oil)\u00a0<\/em>and thermal breakdown\u00a0(too much heat).\u00a0<\/em>We also check for signs of fuel and coolant caused by faulty injectors or leaking head gaskets and we check for nitration that may indicate improper fuel\/air mixtures. We can tell all of that from the analysis plus we can detect the early stages of wear on internal parts.\u00a0Periodic oil analysis enables you to find these problems in the early stages long before real damage occurs.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Quality RV Inspection offers advanced oil analysis, designed to give you data that allows you to tell if your current oil and coolant service intervals are correct. The data will show if you\u2019re changing too soon or if you\u2019re running too long between service intervals. There are (2) reasons why this is so important. First, advanced oil testing gives you the data you need to save money by safely extending service intervals.\u00a0<\/strong>In fact, some Class-A \u201cDiesel Pusher\u201d (DP) owners are already running up to 25,000 miles between engine oil changes.\u00a0<\/strong>Secondly, let\u2019s say you purchased a used Class A with an Allison transmission. Advanced testing can show you whether or not you\u2019re running the Allison \u201clong life\u201d approved fluid. If the transmission fluid test shows you\u2019re running an older technology DEXRON-III type transmission fluid, you\u2019ll have the data you need to support changing the fluid over to the long life\u00a0(Allison TES-295 approved)\u00a0<\/em>product and save even more money over the life of your motorhome.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Coolant analysis measures glycol content, additive levels, Freeze Point, Boiling Point, total hardness and dissolved solid\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0levels \u00a0(mineral \u00a0content).\u00a0<\/em>These tests tell you everything you need to know to fully evaluate your engine cooling system. We\u2019ll tell you if a coolant change is needed and why we think it\u2019s necessary.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo I get a test report for my records?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

You\u2019ll receive detailed test reports of the analyses along with comments and recommendations to explain the findings. Your reports are emailed to you and reports are marked by level of Severity. They\u2019re \u201ccolor-coded\u201d so it\u2019s easy to spot problems\u00a0(if we find any).\u00a0<\/em>The color code indicates the overall severity of the sample from 0 to 4\u00a0(with 0 meaning everything\u2019s fine and no further action is required).\u00a0<\/em>On the other hand, a Severity Rating of 4 indicates a \u201cCritical\u201d finding with immediate actions needed to correct the problem. The color on the Severity rating scale is matched to the data so it\u2019s easy to spot the problem that led to the overall Severity Rating. You also get easy to understand comments and recommendations that instruct you on what was found and what you should do about it.<\/p>

Note: If you have specific questions about your report, we offer a toll free Customer support number at 877-251-8315. This number is staffed by JG Lubricant Services lab professionals who are trained to route your call to the Analytical Department where your question will get prompt attention.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOK, I\u2019m sold. How do I get this service added to my RV inspection?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Just call me, Art Horton, at (386) 562-8721.\u00a0<\/strong>Tell me you\u2019d like to add oil and coolant analysis to your upcoming RV inspection. I\u2019ll pull samples, send them in to our contracted lab for analyses and your reports will be in your email in-basket in no time.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The chart below shows\u00a0Recommended Sampling Intervals<\/strong>\u00a0for RV engines, transmissions and generators. If you\u2019re still in my area, just give me call and I\u2019ll come and pull your samples when they\u2019re due. Otherwise, if you\u2019re not in my area, you find your nearest NRVIA certified inspector at\u00a0https:\/\/nrvia.org\/locate\/<\/a>. Then, just keep copies of your test reports in your maintenance file. We\u2019ll maintain the records electronically in our lab database.<\/p>

SAMPLING RECOMMENDATIONS<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Component<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Sample Type<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Recommendation<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

ENGINE<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Oil<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Every scheduled oil change<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Coolant<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Annually\u00a0<\/strong>(at start of travel season)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

TRANSMISSION<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Oil\u00a0<\/strong>(fluid)<\/em><\/p><\/td>

Annually\u00a0<\/strong>(at start of travel season)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

GENERATOR<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Oil<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Every scheduled oil change<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Coolant<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Annually\u00a0<\/strong>(at start of travel season)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Your initial exposure to oil or coolant test reports might be a little overwhelming. Here\u2019s some suggestions as to how to review your test reports to help you get the most from your data.<\/strong><\/p>

  1. First, look at the\u00a0Severity Code<\/strong>. It\u2019s located in the upper right hand corner of your test report. The purpose of the Severity Code is to let you see the overall findings \u201cat a glance\u201d. The Overall Severity Rating is listed as \u201ccolor-coded\u201d ranges with numbers (0 thru 4). The chart below lists the various Severity Codes and how to interpret the results. Note: It\u2019s not really important at this time that you understand the actual test values. Instead, it\u2019s more important to know whether the sample is NORMAL, ABNORMAL or CRITICAL as all of the test values have been taken into account as part of the Overall Severity Rating.<\/li><\/ol>
    \u00a0Overall Severity Rating<\/strong><\/td>Severity Range\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>How to Interpret Your Results\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    \u00a0NORMAL<\/td>\u00a00 to 1<\/td>\u00a0Indicates your sample tested\u00a0within normal range limits<\/strong>1<\/sup>\u00a0established for samples in similar equipment applications<\/td><\/tr>
    \u00a0ABNORMAL<\/td>\u00a02 to 3<\/td>\u00a0Indicates your sample tested\u00a0outside normal range limits<\/strong>\u00a0established for samples in similar equipment applications.<\/td><\/tr>
    \u00a0CRITICAL<\/td>\u00a04<\/td>\u00a0Indicates your sample tested\u00a0outside abnormal range limits<\/strong>\u00a0and that the sample shows a problem, or problems, that need immediate maintenance actions as covered in the Comments Section of the report.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    1. Next, read the\u00a0Comments Section<\/strong>. The Comments Section tells you what the testing revealed and what our laboratory data analysts have to say about the results. Here, you\u2019ll also find maintenance recommendations. Recommendations may suggest immediate action or it may suggest continuing to run the oil or coolant for additional time. The Comments Section should help you the most as it tries to pinpoint problems and it contains the most information and as \u201cstraight talk\u201d as possible about your sample.<\/li>
    2. Last, look at the actual data and note the color coded boxes. The colors match up with the overall Severity Rating and point to problems and concerns found with your sample.<\/li><\/ol>

      What does it mean if my report shows\u00a0\u201cMissing Information\u201d?<\/strong>
      The information, listed at the top of your test report (see example below) may show \u201cMissing Information\u201d in either the Filter or Product Information boxes. Customers sometimes worry that this may indicate that the report is somehow no good or of little value. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Even without the information about the filter oil the oil or coolant type, your test report is still meaningful and a valuable part of the RV inspection. Why do we say this? Because oil and coolant test reports, from JG Lubricant Services, are designed to give as much information about your RV\u2019s engine, transmission, generator and\/or cooling system as possible and tell you if there are any issues that may need further attention before you sign on the bottom line.<\/p>

      \"Lubricant
      Unfortunately, RV sellers may often be unaware of the type of oils and\/or coolants currently in the various RV\u00a0<\/strong>systems. As an example, consider your own personal vehicles. Unless you happen to be a \u201cgear head\u201d or a really\u00a0<\/strong>ambitious \u201cDo It Yourself\u201d (DIY) that does their own oil, coolant and filter changes, this information is typically\u00a0<\/strong>unknown.<\/strong>\u00a0Most folks use the DIFM (Do It For Me) method. They take their vehicle to the local Jiffy Lube or their favorite service center and let them do the dirty work. They put a sticker on the window that tells you the odometer reading or calendar time when your next change is due. Consequently, most folks have no idea what\u2019s in the engine or generator crankcase, the transmission sump or the cooling systems. However, for inspection purposes, that\u2019s still OK. It would be nice to have this information if possible; but, it\u2019s not necessary. If oil and coolant type are known, the lab can also tell you if the oils or coolants can be safely run longer to save money. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always a good idea to keep doing fluid analysis on your RV after you make the purchase.<\/p>

      NRVIA Certified RV Inspectors have been trained to enter as much information as possible about the RV equipment. This enables the lab to do a better job of keeping an historical record of the oil and cooling system inspections. Information includes such things as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), RV make, RV model, vehicle odometer reading, generator hour meter reading, and engine, transmission and generator makes and models. Even with all this effort, the simple fact is that, on most used RVs, details about oil and coolant manufacturers, brand names, viscosity grades, and coolant types is often unknown. This is true whether we inspect an RV that\u2019s sitting on a dealer\u2019s lot or if the RV is being sold by an individual in their driveway.<\/p>

      Fluid Analysis test reports are designed to point out any major issues and educate you as to anything that might be\u00a0<\/strong>of concern prior to your purchase.<\/strong>\u00a0The exact type oil or coolant is typically not required to make those kinds of observations. As stated on the first page, look at the Severity Code. If it\u2019s in the normal range, the oil and\/or coolant test came back OK. If it\u2019s abnormal or critical, the comments will explain what was found and what to do about it. Don\u2019t worry if your test report happens to show the words \u201cMissing Information\u201d. It\u2019s typical of most used RV test reports and has no effect on the value of your test report. The reports give you valuable information about your RV drivetrain and generator systems that most other RV inspection services don\u2019t even address. Most others will only pull the dipsticks and tell you whether or not oil or coolant is present in the systems and that\u2019s it.<\/p>

      1 Range limits are established through statistical methods proprietary to our contracted testing laboratory.<\/p>

      <\/i>\u00a0How to Read Your Test Reports (Art Horton) (003).pdf<\/a>\u00a0(How to Read Your Test Reports (Art Horton) (003).pdf, 655.22 Kb)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Why does Quality RV Inspections offer fluid analysis services? Your engine, transmission and generator contribute a large portion to the overall cost of your RV and, as you probably know, the engine and transmission are essential to moving the RV around the country. Likewise, your generator provides the comforts of home. So, why take risks […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1049","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1049"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1053,"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1049\/revisions\/1053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rvqualityinspections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}