"Capt. JG" wrote in
:

Actually, I haven't had to add a drop since the oil change. I feel the
oil every time I check it, doesn't feel gritty.


Because the fuel is a thin oil, you won't feel much difference until it's
really contaminated with fuel. The lamp black color of it two minutes
after you crank on new oil is the carbon blowby all diesels at these
tremendous pressures have. It's so finely ground up, it doesn't feel
gritty, either. Gritty would be like bearing grindings and very rare,
indeed.

I was thinking, perhaps wrongly, that an analysis would tell me if
there was something going on that wouldn't be obvious by a drop in oil
or in a burnt aroma, or stuff in it.

It will if something's grinding apart or coolant is leaking in, another
item that causes the level to rise...head gaskets/cracked block..yecch,
ugly thoughts on Sunday morning.


I doubt I've run it 100 hours in 18 months... probably under 50.

Ok, so what you need to do is to start changing oil at least every 4-6
months. A chemical change takes place between oil and the contaminants
the engine introduces into it when running. These conttaminants break
the oil down, hence the month limit on used oil life. Get the oil change
gadget that makes it easiest on you and do it yourself. Don't reuse the
filter. It'll run for decades, or until the rubber parts fail. Change
the water pump impeller yearly. That's a pain but doable.


Maybe I'm trying to fix something that isn't broke. :-}

Everybody does that. Too much free worrying time influenced by
libations...(c