Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories

Blackstone Joe is revisiting one of Slick Talk's very first subjects this week - BMWs and rod bearing wear (3:30). Joe digs into the most at risk engines, how to spot a bearing problem in oil analysis, and a few things to keep in mind when building trends for your own car. And then, Joe tackles a listener question about extended oil use, oil filtration, and how it can affect piston rings in the The Catch Pan segment (19:05).

Host: Joseph Adams

Producer: Joshua Straley

The New Year is off to an interesting start for Slick Talk. In Episode 82, Blackstone Joe addresses a customer's unique way of testing the pH of a coolant samples (1:10). Then, a customer's curiosity about the difference between hot and cold sampling gives Slick Talk its first Catch Pan segment  of 2023 (6:25), and then finally Joe finally digs into today's main topic of flux compound. What is it? Why do we see it? And how should it be handled for diesel and other turbocharged engine owners (10:30)?

Host: Joseph Adams

Producer: Joshua Straley 

What was it that Matthew McConaughey said about looking back to move forward? Well, Blackstone Joe must have watched one too many of those commercials, because the start of 2023 finds our host looking back on 2022, fondly of course, with a few different highlights in mind. First, we revisit a past episode and dig a little deeper into low and no-oil situations (2:18).  Next, Blackstone Joe answers Slick Talk's very first caller question (9:00) about a faulty MAP sensor and whether or not fuel dilution in a used oil sample might be related. Third, Joe shares his first experience in an RV-12 aircraft (13:20) - footage from this very same flight can be found on our instagram - check out the reel posted on Nov. 4th 2022. Finally, we wrap up with a voicemail shoutout from collaborator Matt B a.k.a. Garage Engineer (16:25).

Got a question or a shoutout for Blackstone Joe? Call us at: 614-407-6169 or email BlackstoneLabs@gmail.com.

Host: Joseph Adams

Producer: Joshua Straley 

'Tis the Pod before Christmas and Blackstone Joe is back with a triple-header of oil analysis topics. Do high wear levels go hand in hand with a high-mileage motor? A Toyota Tacoma and its 1GR-FE hitting 400,000 miles provide insight into our expectations from an aging engine (01:54). Then, Joe tackles an email question about what's the right time to sample a freshly rebuilt Lycoming IO-540 is. Hint: it's sooner than you'd expect (05:25). Thirdly, Joe breaks down the latest sample from an MB SL500, the first since we found high levels right after the new owner had completed the purchase. If you think engines can't improve their wear profile as they age, you might want to think again.

Plus! An announcement! The Slick Talk phone lines are open. Leave a message, question, or shoutout for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169 to be featured on an upcoming episode. 

Host: Joseph Adams 

Producer: Joshua Straley 

A customer recently emailed and had the question: is there a magic number somewhere on this report? They were asking if in any particular area, one number or result could tell them about the overall condition of their engine. Blackstone Joe thought this was an ideal time to break down the lack of an overall score/grade on our oil report, and why we instead opt for a much more comprehensive approach, breaking down the sample in its entirety and explaining why the results are high are low, and the reason why a high/low result may be indicative of a good result or a possible problem. 

A podcast listener wrote in with an interesting question: how do we ensure consistency in the results, no matter who the analyst is? At Blackstone, there is a multi-layered review process that starts with the login process and carries through to the final report. Blackstone Joe is here to break down that approach, as well as give a special s/o to an engine with results that he just couldn't help but share with listeners of the show.