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  #51  
Old 04-15-2013, 03:49 PM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default Need a good alternative to Aviation Labs ...

AV Labs has updated their website ... at first I thought that was a good sign. They had so many test kits alternatives on the new website, I couldn't figure out which one to order. I called down there and talked to the rep for my region. After I explained I needed to know which test kit to order to test both oil and filter, he went on and on with a long winded sales pitch about the importance of testing both .... I listened as politely as I could, then finally interrupted to tell him again I just wanted to know which kit to order. He finally told me and I ordered it from the website after hanging up. I got a printable order confirmation from them immediately thereafter.
Today, after 11 days of waiting for my mail-in test kit, I called to find out the status. I eventually get the same long-winded guy who tells me that just because I have an order confirmation does NOT mean he has the order. He says, "That order must be printed out and placed in my order list before it can be filled". When I asked indignantly if he expected me to do that, he said no, someone from billing has to do that. Then he proceeded on another long-winded ... and defensive ... story about how their process works.
Av Labs is quite clearly "wrapped around the axle". What other options exist to get both oil and filter tested?
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Terry Ruprecht
RV-9A Tip-up; IO-320 D2A
S. James cowl/plenum
(Dues paid thru Nov '18)
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  #52  
Old 04-15-2013, 04:19 PM
Sunriver Ken's Avatar
Sunriver Ken Sunriver Ken is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sunriver, Oregon/Surprise, Arizona
Posts: 128
Default

I have talked and talked with these people and finally came to the conclusion they don't want the GA business and that they have poor management. I am now using up the kits I purchased from them in advance BUT since I am in Phoenix I can hand deliver them. They lost the last two kits I mailed to them in their mailing container.
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Ken Day
Independence, OR
RV-9A O-360/CS - SOLD
RV-12 SOLD
AA1C 150HP - FLYING
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  #53  
Old 04-15-2013, 05:08 PM
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DarylT DarylT is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 438
Default Blackstone Labs

I have been using Blackstone Labs. My first one took about 2 weeks. My last one was back in less than a week.

I really like the report and the comments. Very personal response. Below are the comments on my last report:

"DARYL: Nice improvement in wear. This is a good sign that your new engine is progressing past wear-in and things should continue to look better in the next oil change or two. Normally by the time an engine reaches ~75 hours, wear metals have settled down to average and you're already there for everything except iron. Silicon didn't improve as much as we would have liked, though we aren't worried about it so much. If it doesn't drop next time, you might want to check the air filter. Also if you use DOW-4 around the oil filter that can cause it too. In any case, nice report."

You feel like you have a relationship with Blackstone. I'm going to stay with them.
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VAF 1086
Yes: I paid my =VAF= membership dues for 2020
RV-7A - N754RV: Status - Pink Slip is In! First Flight 8/23/12 - My First Flight 9/24/12!

Home from GloCustom for Paint! 3/16/13
957 hours and climbing

7th Condition Inspection complete 10/31/2019

Superior XP IO360 (180 HP), Hartzell Blended Airfoil, AF-5400 EFIS panel, Garmin Aera 660, TruTrak Vizion 385 AutoPilot, Dual Pmags
Houston, TX

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  #54  
Old 04-15-2013, 05:18 PM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default Blackstone sounds great for oil samples ...

Their website is silent on filter testing. Do we know for certain they do not test filters too?
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Terry Ruprecht
RV-9A Tip-up; IO-320 D2A
S. James cowl/plenum
(Dues paid thru Nov '18)
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  #55  
Old 04-15-2013, 05:37 PM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
Default Just and idea . . .

I don't know what results you are seeking, but for my cars I buy a prepaid container from Caterpillar dealer (you can get them from John Deere too) and it even pays postage. I get all wear metals and could get TBN for an extra price. The last batch i bought was around $14 each. Sorry, I don't have a current price. I put it in the mail box and get an email reply in about a week. The paper copy comes later.

Just a thought, you may want to see if this service might fit your needs. I plan to use it for my plane when completed. Oh - one issue is the high lead content from fuel will blow away bearing lead measurements.

$0.00 ?
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RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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  #56  
Old 04-15-2013, 07:46 PM
alpinelakespilot2000 alpinelakespilot2000 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
Default

Another happy Blackstone customer. I wouldn't put up with what I hear repeatedly about AV Labs. That's ridiculous!
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Steve M.
Ellensburg WA
RV-9 Flying, 0-320, Catto

Donation reminder: Jan. 2021
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  #57  
Old 04-15-2013, 09:31 PM
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RWoodard RWoodard is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Brighton, Colorado
Posts: 393
Default

I never did receive results from the sample I sent in to AV Labs over a year ago. Not worth chasing it down.

I have been using Blackstone Labs on my cars for many years and will use them for the airplane from now on, too. As others have said: quick results and some insightful comments from Blackstone.
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Rod Woodard
Brighton, Colorado (CO12)
RV-3 N87CT (Thanks Chuck!)
Glasair 1RG N388DM
RV-3 N99RV sold 01/2000
F1 MkIII empennage?arrived 08/22/2018--collecting dust
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  #58  
Old 04-16-2013, 06:46 AM
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johngoodman johngoodman is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Peachtree City, Georgia
Posts: 440
Default

Question - Is Aviation Labs (AL) the same as Aviation Oil Analysis (AOA)?
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First flight was 25 June, 2011
N711JG
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  #59  
Old 04-16-2013, 09:13 AM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default Aviation Oil Analysis

According to the text at Aircraft Spruce, AOA's lab is in Phoenix. That implies they are a different entity than Aviation Labs, whose lab is in Kenner, LA.
I'm going with Blackstone; already ordered a test kit from them. Not only are they nearby, but the testimonals here in VAF are consistently good.
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Terry Ruprecht
RV-9A Tip-up; IO-320 D2A
S. James cowl/plenum
(Dues paid thru Nov '18)
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  #60  
Old 04-16-2013, 10:42 AM
deek deek is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Flathead Lake Montana - 8S1
Posts: 334
Default

I've been using Blackstone on the Mattituck Red-Gold since '93; great service!
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A couple of Glasairs and a Lancair 320...
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