Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories

176: The Way Back

Sequel to episode 172: "Trust the Process". Getting an engine back to its old self after a problem is a lot like recovering from a runner's injury: it's easier when you k

175: New Oil or Nah?

A customer sent in a sample, asking us to prove whether it was new oil, or if the shop was slacking. The answer isn't a simple one. Ready to start your oil analysis jour

174: No Stone Unturned

You don't like hearing about trouble, and we don't like reporting it. But the data calls, and we'l answer. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

173: CVT Suspicions

The more info you give us, the better our analysis can be. That's never more true than when dealing with delicate machines like transmissions. Ready to start your oil an

172: Trust the Process

It doesn't matter if it's a coolant leak or tendonitis. You gotta trust the process. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

171: A Tailored Suit

Unit/location averages are one of our most useful tools, though they can be a little difficult to wrap your head around at first. A customer emailed in for some clarifica

170: Additives, Then and Now

How are oil additives changing over the years? Blackstone Joe takes a look at Mobil 1 specifically, and how we answered a customer's question about how their additives le

169: Prius Problem?

A Slick Talk listener wanted to know about the Gen 3 Prius, noting concern about EGR issues that lead to a head gasket replacement being necessary, and if our samples cou

168: Filtration Forensics

If you haven't checked your air filter in a while, this is your reminder to do so. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

167: Blackstone Social

This week, we're highlighting some of our new ventures, including our first foray into the reaction video genre. We also want to introduce some of the excellent content c

166: Hot for Answers

Typical turnaround for a report is a few weeks after you've shipped the sample to us, depending on factors like distance and weather. But sometimes you need answers ASAP,

165: Evan's Waterless, a Saga of Mixed Proportions

This week on Slick Talk: no water, no problem. We say our testing is great at detecting coolant, but how true is that? Time for a science experiment. Ready to start your

164: Oil the World's a Stage

How is theatre like oil analysis? This was a burning question that could only be answered by a couple of Fort Wayne's premiere talents: Blackstone Joe and fellow senior a

163: Youtube & You

This one's a three-course meal. Starting with a light Q&A aperitif, we move on to the main course of addressing some AI shenanigans, then move on to a delicious dessert c

162: Instagram Inquiries

Everyone is on social media these days, and that includes us. When email is too formal and phone calls are too unwieldy, know you can always send us a message on Facebook

161: Calendar Change

"Change the oil every 5,000 miles or 6 months," is the conventional wisdom, but how well does that hold up in this modern age? A sample came in recently from an engine th

160: Breaking, Not Break-In

The break-in process tends to result in high wear metals. So when a fresh engine has a problem, how can we tell? Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

159: Context Helps

Here's the skinny: a sample came in with a blank oil slip, and high wear metals .Maybe we're looking at an engine with a problem, or a transmission fresh from the factory

158: Let's Talk Triage

Bad news: we found coolant in your engine, and parts are wearing heavily. What now? Ready to start your oil analysis journey? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

157: High Alts and Low TBNs

The TBN is a popular test for automotive engine oil, and it's gaining traction in the aviation world, too. But is it a useful test for aircraft oil? Let's discuss. Ready