A friend of mine is looking into a business idea that involves offering the
following service, and I'd like to get any feedback -- pro or con -- from any
listers who care to comment.
The idea: You've found an old car you are thinking of buying. You take a small
vial of engine oil, mail it out to this business, and get back (by post or e-
mail) a scientific analysis of any metals and contaminants present and the
possible causes of any readings above normal. The analysis is supposed to be
specific to the metal composition of the engine being tested, although this
may break down if you're looking at buying something low-volume (Armstrong-
Siddeley Sapphires, anyone?).
Examples of metals and the potential parts involved might include:
Iron: Cylinders, Gears, Rings, Crankshafts, Liners, Bearings, Housings, Rust
Chromium: Rings, Roller/Taper Bearings, Rods, Platings
Lead: Bearing Overlays, Additives in Gear Oil or Gasoline
Copper: Bushings, Bearings, Thrust-Washers, Oil Cooler, Oil Additive
Tin: Bearings, Bushings, Piston Platings
Aluminum: Pistons, Bearings, Pumps, Blowers, Rotors, Thrust-Washers
Nickel: Valves
Silver: Bearings, Bushings, Platings
Manganese: Trace Element in Liners and Rings, Gasoline Additive
Presence of Contaminants: indicates either a leak or break into the sealed
engine system or a failure of an intake filter. For instance, the presence of
high amounts of glycol in the oil could indicate a blown head gasket allowing
the corrosive coolant into the engine. A high level of silicon could indicate
a problem with the air filter.
Questions:
- Would you consider using this service?
- At what price level?
- Do YOU think it's a realistic business?
Responses should probably go directly to me. Thanks to all for feedback and to
Mark for indulging some new-biz development discussion. Given the potential
problems in British engines ... gotta be a target market here, right?
best, jv.
John Voelcker
www.britishcar.com
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