Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories
By: Blackstone Laboratories
Language: en-us
Categories: Leisure, Automotive
Every oil has a story, especially oil that comes from engines, transmissions, and industrial machinery. Blackstone Laboratories tests it all, and in Slick Talk, Blackstone Joe brings you an exclusive look behind the curtain of the oil analysis industry.
Episodes
158: Let's Talk Triage
Dec 15, 2025Bad news: we found coolant in your engine, and parts are wearing heavily. What now?
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:10:07157: High Alts and Low TBNs
Dec 01, 2025The 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 to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:10:59156: Filtering Concerns
Nov 17, 2025We talk often about whether you can keep a fill of oil in use longer. But what about an oil filter? And when is installing a bypass system a good idea?
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:09:13155: Coolant Testing and Turkey Temps
Nov 03, 2025There's a lot we can tell you about your coolant, and there's a lot we can't. Blackstone Joe demonstrates our limits, and sprinkles in a little culinary advice ahead of the coming holidays.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:07:31154: The Recipe
Oct 20, 2025"Extended Oil Interval" isn't your typical Thanksgiving staple, but we've got a good recipe to share regardless. No actual food-based recipes included in this one; some people got a bit touchy about that last time.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:12:14153: Oil in a Day's Work Vol. 2
Oct 06, 2025We get samples from a lot of different unit types. Trucks, boats, planes -- if it uses oil, chances are we've seen it at least once. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down three reports from three different systems, detailing how we approach analysis for each one.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:11:38152: The Flush
Sep 22, 2025Engine flushes! What do they do and how do they show up in oil analysis? Blackstone Joe has the answers.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:12:04151: Stump the Analyst
Sep 08, 2025Some samples leave us with more questions than answers, such as: How does an air-cooled engine develop a coolant leak? Blackstone Joe invites you to send us your answers to that, and other questions raised by today's doozy of a report.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:11:12150: Running 70s Oil in a 20s Engine
Aug 25, 2025What happens when you put tractor oil from 1975 into a modern lawnmower engine? That's just what analyst Chris Tulley was wondering -- so then he went and did it!
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Guest: Chris Tulley
Duration: 00:15:25149: Q&A with the Analyst
Aug 11, 2025You had questions, and Blackstone Joe has answers. Topics include: can you sample even if you've added fresh oil over an oil interval? Is fuel dilution or oil consumption factored into the universal averages? What constitutes a "known problem" anyhow?
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:14:50148: All About Averages
Jul 28, 2025Universal averages! Unit/location averages! Those are included with every oil report, but what do they mean?
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
147: Too School for Cool(ant)
Jul 14, 2025We're often asked by potential customers what good oil analysis can serve for someone who's just a regular person trying to take care of their normal old car. To that, we have an answer: early detection of a problem. In this episode, Blackstone Joe relates a case of oil analysis catching a Range Rover's coolant problem before it became an expensive nightmare.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:07:31146: Oil Contaminating Oil
Jun 30, 2025A customer had a question for us: can we find evidence of automotive oil in their aviation engine's used oil? Fortunately, Blackstone Joe has the answer.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:08:24145: Fill in the Blank
Jun 16, 2025Blackstone Labs aren't the only oil analyzers out there, and sometimes customers come to us with reports from other labs (which we will always accept and add to your file, for free)! In this episode, Joe goes through how we handle those reports, what we can do with the info, and what Blackstone offers that other labs don't.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:08:55144: The Blood Test
Jun 02, 2025Having your blood tested is a lot like having your oil tested. How do we know? Because Blackstone Joe went and did it!
Want to read about Ryan's cholesterol? Click here.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:10:56143: The Unspoken Question
May 19, 2025We get asked a lot of questions, but just as often, we don't get asked anything at all. When we receive a sample with little to no information, how do we figure out what the customer might want to know? Blackstone Joe has the answers.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:11:27142: Retrospective - No Time to Change
May 05, 2025Is it time to change your oil? We addressed that question back in episode 105: No Time To Change. Blackstone Joe revisits that episode, and examines how our perspective has shifted since then.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producers: Joshua Straley and Arryn Dennard
141: Meet the Analyst with Augustia Robinson
Apr 21, 2025Meet Augustia! Another of our new bright stars, Augustia shares how her love of writing and knack for science brought her into the Blackstone fold. She and Blackstone Joe discuss what it's like to be a new writer, how they find the creativity necessary to crank out report after report, and share a few tidbits of advice for any potential new analysts.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Guest: Augustia Robinson
Duration: 00:23:00140: Coaching Up
Apr 07, 2025Oil analysis is a complicated topic, and no one knows that better than a freshly hired Blackstone writer. Helping new analysts master the nuances of the various engines, industrial applications, fuels, and other samples we see on a daily basis is one of the most important responsibilities senior analysts have. Teaching new writers how to communicate that info is a whole other beast. This episode explores how we at Blackstone go about training the analysts that go on to provide you vital info with every sample.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shouto
Duration: 00:13:08139: Meet the Analyst with Chris Tulley
Mar 24, 2025Meet Chris! One of our brightest up-and-coming junior analysts, Chris has also recently taken responsibility for the newsletters we send out quarterly. He joins Blackstone Joe in studio to talk about how his history as a journalist informs his report writing style, and how the writers around him inspire his current work.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Guest: Chris Tulley
Duration: 00:14:41138: Moving from the TBN with Ryan Stark
Mar 10, 2025You might have noticed a change to our gas/diesel engine oil info slips: we no longer include the question, "Would you like a TBN?" President Ryan Stark joins Blackstone Joe in studio to discuss where that change comes from.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:21:46137: Sneak Peek
Feb 24, 2025What's more stressful than buying a used vehicle? Not much, especially when you don't have a lot of info about the vehicle (car, boat, plane, etc.) in question. Fortunately, oil analysis can shed some light.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:12:16136: Redline Rarity
Feb 10, 2025What kind of vehicle, fresh off the assembly line, would see the sort of use that results in frequent redlining? The answer may surprise you!
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:45135: Marriage Material
Jan 27, 2025You might be, but your oil isn't! Every system could use an oil change once in a while, and here's why.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:11:24134: What to Expect When You're Extending
Jan 13, 2025What happens when you run longer between oil changes? What changes to the data do we anticipate, and what should stay the same? Blackstone Joe explores that this episode, and also responds to some interesting YouTube comments left for the previous pod.
Correction: We mistakenly refer to this episode as number 135, and the previous one as 134.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:14:45133: They Said, We Said
Dec 30, 2024We take a lot of things into consideration when determining whether to recommend a longer oil interval or not. More than just the quality of the oil can influence our decision. As Blackstone Joe can attest this episode, metal content is among those deciding factors.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
132: Beyond the Report Page
Dec 16, 2024Communication is the name of the game here at Blackstone Labs. Oil analysis is a complicated topic, and it's natural for customers to have questions or misunderstandings about what's expected in an oil report. In this instance, a question regarding a sample's viscosity becomes a valuable teaching moment.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:14:37131: Aftermarket Additives and Analysis
Dec 02, 2024There are plenty of products besides just oil that you can put in your engine. Motor Honey, Lucas Oil Stabilizer, Engine Restore, the list is as packed as the shelves at an auto care center. How they show up in analysis is just as varied. As Blackstone Joe can attest, some make a big splash in analysis, while others are a little more mysterious...
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:17:01130: When to Change?
Nov 18, 2024Answer: It depends!
(But here are some tips to help you find your way.)
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:16:09129: Age is Just a Number
Nov 04, 2024There's an expiration date on just about everything, so what about engine oil? It's not uncommon for us to receive samples that have been in the sump for a few years, and a lot of customers wonder how that calendar time affects the oil. The answers, as always, lie in the data.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:17:34128: Method to the Madness
Oct 21, 2024We have a few guidelines for how to properly sample your oil. Crazy as it seems, there's a reason for that.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:10:54127: Synthetic Intelligence vs. Conventional
Oct 07, 2024With A.I. technology becoming more popular as a source for information and advice, you may be wondering what info it can provide you about your engine and the oil it's running. We were wondering that as well, which is why we decided to ask ChatGPT some of the most common questions we receive.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:16:43126: Oil of Anarchy
Sep 23, 2024Riding hell for leather asks a lot of a motorcycle's engine, but some are up to the challenge. Is yours? There's only one way to find out.
JKMoto's Oil Analysis with Slick Talk's Joe Adams
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:47125: Lost in Translation
Sep 09, 2024The world is full of mysteries. A listener reached out to let us know about an interesting discrepancy between Japanese and American manuals for the FA24F engine. To get some answers, there's only one option. We have to go back... to the data.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:10:58124: Dirty Data
Aug 26, 2024We test a lot of petroleum products, so we're used to dealing with gunk. You might call us experts in grime. Whether it's fuel, metal, dirt, or something worse, figuring out what's contaminating your sample - and what that means for the unit it came from - is a critical part of the Blackstone process.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:16:03123: Diesel, Data, and More with Justin Mellinger
Aug 12, 2024What goes into obtaining the data we analyze? No one knows the answer to that better than Justin, the Head of Lab Operations. He joins Blackstone Joe in studio to discuss how samples are tested, including some notable insights regarding diesel fuel.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Justin Mellinger
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:26:30122: The Blackstone Approach
Jul 29, 2024This episode was recorded during Oshkosh week, so what better time break down how we analyze aircraft samples? We always want to provide you with the most useful report we can, and that sometimes involves digging a little deeper. Depending on the context, what looks like a problem could actually be completely normal.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:30121: Shifts in the Data
Jul 15, 2024It's common to see some variation from one sample to the next. But when is this fluctuation concerning, and when is it actually normal?
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:15:37120: Forum Fictions
Jul 01, 2024There are a lot of forums out there dedicated to engines and oils, and sometimes our name gets pulled into the discussion. Blackstone Joe is here to set the record straight.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:17:01119: TBNs & TANs Revisited feat. Suzi Herman
Jun 17, 2024Senior Analyst Suzi Herman is back, with a follow-up to her popular "TBN/TAN: Do You Need One?" newsletter. She had a simple question: how does heat affect the TBN/TAN of an oil? The answer wasn’t quite what she or Blackstone Joe expected.
Read Part 1 of Suzi’s TBN/TAN Newsletter here.
Out now! Read Part 2 of Suzi’s TBN/TAN Newsletter here.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Suzi Herman
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:22:42118: Ghosts of Problems Past
Jun 03, 2024What does Matthew McConaughey have in common with your engine? As it turns out, a lot.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:12:03117: The Twenty-Thousand Mile Oil Change
May 20, 2024Is synthetic oil still good after twenty thousand miles? Is sludge an issue? A listener had these questions and more about Volkswagen and Audi engines. Blackstone Joe provides some answers.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:26:21116: The More You Know
May 06, 2024Knowledge is power, and that’s as true in oil analysis as anywhere. The more information you send in with your sample, the better our analysis will be. A seasoned analyst may be able to arrive at certain conclusions even with little to no context, but as Blackstone Joe attests, the devil is in the details.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:12115: The Missing Ingredient
Apr 22, 2024Trusting your gut is a good start to vehicle maintenance, but it can only get you so far. Whether it's a coolant leak you're suspicious of, or there's been a recall that may affect your engine, oil analysis can help you confirm those suspicions or lay them to rest. Blackstone Joe explores how in this episode.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:34114: Unit IDs We Love with Brett Jenkins
Apr 08, 2024Blackstone Joe sits down with fellow analyst Brett Jenkins to talk about what unit IDs are, and to share some of their favorites.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Brett Jenkins
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:27:18113: Down Goes the OLM
Mar 25, 2024Oil life monitors. Chances are, your car has one on board to let you know when it’s time to change your oil out. But what if you want to run longer than what the OLM suggests? In this episode, Blackstone Joe explores how his own engine oil looked after months of the monitor reporting zero oil life.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:13:26112: The Wear-Ins and Outs of New Engines
Mar 11, 2024Oil samples from engines that are fresh out of the factory, or from recently rebuilt engines, often contain a lot of wear metal and silicon. But why is that? And why do certain parts seem to produce more metal during the wear-in process than others? These were the questions a customer asked us, and in this episode, Blackstone Joe seeks to provide some answers.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Arryn Dennard
Duration: 00:14:11111: Process of Elimination for a Lycoming
Feb 26, 2024Oil analysis is one way to gauge your engine's health. But it isn't the only way. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down what to do when oil analysis can't provide all the answers for a customer with high copper readings in their Lycoming.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Josh Straley
Duration: 00:07:56110: Sabotage with Brett Jenkins
Feb 12, 2024Brett Jenkins, senior analyst, hasn't been at Blackstone long, but she's already had a major impact on the world of oil analysis. Blackstone Joe sat down to talk with Brett to talk about the forms of sabotage that oil analysis can and can't spot in testing.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Brett Jenkins
Producer: Josh Straley
Duration: 00:19:50109: Maintaining The Stone with Erik DeMarco
Jan 29, 2024Blackstone Laboratories helps you keep your engines, transmissions, and other equipment running smoothly. But what does it take to keep Blackstone Labs going strong? Blackstone Joe talked with Erik DeMarco aka "The Guy"about the maintenance needs of an oil lab (2:25), how working at Blackstone changed his maintenance routines (21:50), and past test results in a new segment, Explain That Sample (25:50).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Erik DeMarco
Producer: Josh Straley
108: This Ain't Your Daddy's ATF
Jan 15, 2024This week Slick Talk is time traveling with a reading of This Ain't Your Daddy's ATF by Ryan Stark where ATF, CVTs, and the idea of "lifetime fluids" are all put under the spotlight.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Josh Straley
Duration: 00:12:19107: Lab Updates, Q&A, and Landslide by Jim Stark
Jan 02, 2024To begin the new year, Blackstone Joe has updates on the lab, what we're doing to improve turnaround time, and a Q&A segment regarding sampling technique, and what to do if we send you more than one sample kit.
The main event is a reading of "Landslide," a newsletter from '04 written by the founder of Blackstone Labs, Jim Stark. This is a one-of-a-kind illustration of used oil analysis and why it matters. Not only is this informative but it's a way to introduce you to our late founder, and his approach to explaining the data...
Duration: 00:16:05106: Q&A With The Analyst IV
Dec 18, 2023Blackstone Joe is ready to wrap up 2023 with another round of q&a with the analyst. Joe answers questions about changing oil change intervals when switching oil brands, pinpointing aluminum bearing wear in analysis, and why it makes sense to send older oil samples in for testing. Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit. Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169. Host: Joe Adams Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:18:54105: No Time To Change
Dec 04, 2023Is it time to change your oil? It's nowhere close to being time for the oil and engines in this week's episode. Inspired by a stray bottle of Mobil 1 5W/30 and less than satisfying answers from the Mobil Help Desk, Blackstone Joe digs into a few different examples of oil holding up well over months, years, and even decades.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit.
Have a question or shoutout? Leave a message for Blackstone Joe at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:27:12104: Feast of Clues
Nov 20, 2023From a spectral analysis covering 20 different elements, to a stable of physical tests that help determine everything from viscosity to how effective oil filtration was working, oil analysis truly is a feast of clues. As we're just a few days away from carving the turkey, Blackstone Joe thought it would be a great time to breakdown how we can use the clues in a used oil analysis to help determine the ideal oil change interval, whether you need to change the oil based on calendar time, and how we're able to detect everything from harmless flux washing off a...
Duration: 00:17:11103: Unpacked with Eric Sanchez
Nov 06, 2023To test a sample we must first unpack it, and it takes a trusted pair of hands to transfer your oil to the lab and the sample details to our system - enter Eric. He's a data clerk by title, but that doesn't quite do his work justice as he's part of the talented team in our receiving area, the front lines as it were, of Blackstone Laboratories. Eric joined Blackstone Joe to answer questions how to properly send a sample, Blackstone's work load, and some of the more interesting samples he's run into during his time at the...
Duration: 00:26:35102: The State of The Stone with Ryan Stark
Oct 23, 2023President Ryan Stark returns to talk to Joe about summer flying and leaded fuel (3:40), company growth and new lab setup (11:50) before answering customer questions about magnetic drain plugs, coolant analysis, flashpoint testing, and how analysts determine an engine's true wear profile (23:50). Last but least, a response to misconceptions about our averages (39:00).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Ryan Stark
Producer: Josh Straley
Duration: 00:44:30101: Report Writing 101 with Kristin Huff
Oct 09, 2023Kristin Huff, Vice President of Blackstone Laboratories, began her oil analysis journey in 2002. In the years since, Kristin has been a focal point of the operation - her one-of-a-kind wit and humor have been essential ingredients to the comments we craft, even going as so far to create the world-famous Blackstone FAQs on our website. As such, it was long overdue for Blackstone Joe to invite Kristin on the show to help break down our approach to report writing. If you ever wanted to learn what the key ingredients are in a well-written comment, the origins of the comment...
Duration: 00:33:44The 100th Episode
Sep 25, 2023Blackstone Joe sat down with the producer of Slick Talk, Josh, to celebrate Slick Talk's 100th episode! Listen for a look back at memorable guest appearances, hot takes, and the journey that was starting and maintaining Slick Talk over 100 episodes of content.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 01:45:0099: TBNs and TANs feat. Suzi
Sep 11, 2023Senior Analyst Suzi Herman joins Blackstone Joe for a discussion about her study of TBNs and TANs (04:10), maintaining her Corolla, Fit, and Chevy S10 (12:10), and her background before joining Blackstone Laboratories (20:00).
Read Part 1 of Suzi's TBN and TAN Newsletter.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Suzi Herman
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:25:1098: Meet the Analyst with Samir Kharbas
Aug 28, 2023Slick Talk & Blackstone Joe are back before Labor Day Weekend with another Meet the Analyst episode with Samir - senior analyst. He tells Joe how Fast & Furious planted the seeds of him being a gearhead and brought him to the Marine Corps (3:35), the journey of his '98 Silvia to the race car it is today (10:38), how working in oil analysis has changed this maintenance routines (15:00), and how customers should approach oil analysis for insurance purposes (20:30).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-61...
Duration: 00:29:1097: Raegan's Return feat. the Prius and the Chevy
Aug 14, 2023Senior Analyst Raegan Byers is back from California and joins Blackstone Joe with two stories about oil analysis. One about her Toyota Prius (2:30). The other about her husband's Chevy S10 that could be developing its own bearing problem (8:00). Then, Blackstone Joe digs more into Raegan's biology background, how she relates it to oil analysis (10:40), and how's she's maintaining the Prius today (17:20).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Guest: Raegan Byers
Producer...
Duration: 00:26:5096: Watch & Wait
Jul 31, 2023What does oil analysis and the Dennis Quad action movie Vantage Point have in common? Things can look different from where you're standing. Blackstone Joe breaks down a couple instances where problems in oil analysis don't always make themselves known right away, how you can eliminate variables to find the source of the problem, and why it pays to watch and wait.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:19:0095: In Search of Soot
Jul 17, 2023Soot. The byproduct of combustion. Every engine is going to have a little of it, but it's a very big deal for diesel engines. So. How much soot is too much? Blackstone Joe breaks everything you need to know about soot, how it will affect an engine, and what Blackstone Laboratories can tell you about the soot levels in your latest sample.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with our free test kit!
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Str
Duration: 00:13:1794: As The Stone Rolls
Jul 03, 2023Blackstone Joe breaks down questions and concerns ranging from the impact of poor air quality (2:30), responding to skepticism about sampling without changing the oil, (5:25), a customer outside the US wonders how they can get in on Blackstone oil analysis (13:50), and the latest sample from a WRX breaks a nice trend (15:40).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with our free test kit!
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:23:1493: Justin and the Million-Mile Accord
Jun 19, 2023Everyone wants their car, pick-up truck, or mini-van's engine to run for a long time. But few people would ever envision an engine lasting over 1,000,000 miles. Justin Kilmer did just that with his Honda Accord's V6. Blackstone Joe talks with Justin Kilmer about his record-setting million miles on his Honda Accord's V-6, the maintenance it took to reach that mark, and how the engine looked in its Blackstone Laboratories samples.
Follow Justin on Instagram and YouTube.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get started with our free test kit!
Host: Joe Adams <...
Duration: 00:31:4992: In Focus
Jun 05, 2023After years of looking at oil reports, especially the reports that don't look so good due to poor wear or contamination, it's important to single out and appreciate the engines that are producing truly exceptional results. This episode takes aim at a 2.0L Turbo EcoBoost sample that just looked too good for our host, Blackstone Joe, to pass up. Listen as he breaks down what made the report so impressive, and how oil analysis is the only way to find out just how well an engine is performing in circumstances like this Focus ST found itself in after a...
Duration: 00:15:3691: Sample First, Ask Questions Later
May 22, 2023You should never read the comments, but Blackstone Joe braved them for this pod. Blackstone Joe addresses the questions and concerns quite a few commenters had about him sampling his Chevy Blazer without changing its oil.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joseph Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:13:3990: A Honda Civic Comeback with Brian Despain
May 08, 2023Senior Analyst Brian Despain is back on Slick Talk to talk in-depth with Blackstone Joe about an 17,000-mile oil change interval on his Honda Civic, why the results didn't look great, and how Brian got the numbers back on track.
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joseph Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:13:1289: Dial "D" for Data
Apr 24, 2023Your latest dose of oil analysis podcasting is here. This week Blackstone Joe answers a listener question about fuel dilution and water contamination in Yamaha outboard engines (1:20) then discusses three samples (reclaimed fuel oil, industrial hydraulic oil, and one from a Subaru Outback) that required dialing up the customer for more information (5:30).
Ready to start your oil analysis journey? Get your free test kit here.
Have a question or shoutout? Call Slick Talk at 614-407-6169.
Host: Joseph Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
88: Meet the Analyst with Brian Despain
Apr 10, 2023Meet Brian! His voice may be familiar to you already if you've called in to discuss one of your reports, but today we go beyond the report page and meet the man behind the keys. Blackstone Joe sat down with Brian to learn what brought Brian to the 'stone - it's a winding road that includes a stint with the Marines, narrowly escaping an arranged marriage, and talents beyond report writing. But before calling it a day, Brian presents Joe with a few instances where oil analysis saved the day for Blackstone Labs customers (34:00). Brian is a cool guy...
Duration: 00:49:3587: How To Make Do
Mar 27, 2023The pandemic, inflation, and shortages haven't made maintenance easy over the past three years. Customers can't find their usual oil or their usual choice of filter in some cases. This week Blackstone Joe digs into a few situations where oil analysis can help customers sleep easier at night when trying to make do with their engines. Plus, Joe answers a question from friend of the pod, Crazy Dave, about Unit IDs on Blackstone Labs reports.
Bonus: Blackstone Joe's recipe for the Greatest Chicken Salad In the World - recipe below
4-6 chicken thighs, boneless/skinless...
Duration: 00:22:2686: Meet The Analyst with Miranda Beck
Mar 13, 2023We know our customers are interested in learning all they can about the data, but what about the analyst themselves? Hard-hitting questions like, "Are you a cat or dog person," "coffee or tea," "what superpowers did you acquire during quarantine," the list goes on. Blackstone Joe sat down with senior analyst Miranda Beck to break down these very same questions, and much, much more. After getting to know Miranda, we wrap things up with a breakdown of an aircraft sample where the oil held crucial evidence of a cylinder-area problem, and we also break down a sample where the...
Duration: 00:44:2685: Oil in a Day's Work
Feb 27, 2023Every oil has a story, and that's not only the tagline for the best petroleum-based podcast. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down an application for used oil analysis that was new to him, as well as a look behind the scenes of how Blackstone connects with customers beyond the data. We wrap things up with a tale of an interesting sampling technique that had a noticeable impact on the results. It's oil in a day's work, folks.
Host: Joseph Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:15:3784: Whose Oil is This Anyway?
Feb 13, 2023The eye test for oil is good for many things, but determining the exact viscosity, additive package, and severity of contamination is a bridge too far even for the far-sighted among us. The Blackstone Labs standard analysis will break down the viscosity range the oil falls in, additive elements, and the presence of contaminants such as fuel or coolant. Episode 84 is all about how you'll be better equipped in finding out -- whose oil is this anyway?
Host: Joe Adams
Producer: Joshua Straley
Duration: 00:17:0783: BMWs & Bearings Revisited
Jan 30, 2023Blackstone 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
Duration: 00:23:5482: Flux it up!
Jan 16, 2023The 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
Duration: 00:20:5481: Ode to 2022
Jan 02, 2023What 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 a...
Duration: 00:20:2880: High-mileage engines, when to sample a new Lycoming, and an MB makes a comeback
Dec 19, 2022'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 y...
Duration: 00:21:2079: Magic Number
Dec 05, 2022A 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...
Duration: 00:19:4678: Consistency
Nov 21, 2022A 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.
Duration: 00:13:5377: No oil, no problem?
Nov 08, 2022It's a common scenario in our line of work: engine runs dangerously low on oil and the owner is left to wonder what's the damage. Are repairs, replacement, or a rebuild inevitable? Or, did the engine escape without any obvious issues showing up in the used oil? Blackstone Joe is here to break down two scenarios with very different outcomes, detailing why it's important to not to jump to conclusions and go straight to the data.
Duration: 00:20:0776: They Said, We Said
Oct 24, 2022The oil you buy probably has a recommended amount of mileage on it, "Good for xxx miles!" the text will usually read. When sending in a sample of the used oil, though, we often find ourselves recommending an interval that contradicts whatever is promised on the label, and some owners (rightfully so) want to know, "What gives?" In episode 76, Blackstone Joe is here to break down one of those very same instances, where the results, one in particular, really, called for a careful approach before extending the interval. The oil you run can certainly make a difference in some results...
Duration: 00:15:0475: Where To Begin Vol. 2
Oct 10, 2022Should I sample the first oil change?The short answer: yes. But you'll want to listen as Blackstone Joe breaks down the reason why sampling the first oil change is valuable, even if there is likely to be excess metal and silicon from wear-in and sealer washing outShould I wait to sample until I suspect a problem?It's always a good idea to check on your engine when you think something is wrong, but starting with oil analysis before you suspect a problem is even more valuable. Blackstone Joe digs into the benefits of sampling from the get-go and how...
Duration: 00:20:0474: Do's and Don'ts
Sep 26, 2022Picture this: the engine you own is facing either certain contamination or the possibility thereof, and you're now faced with deciding how to proceed with the maintenance plan. You might be wondering whether you should use an additive, if recent work might have impacted the results, or how you can go about looking for symptoms of a problem on your end. In this episode, Blackstone Joe is here to break down the do's and don'ts when it comes to addressing coolant, fuel, or excess dirt in the engine oil.
Duration: 00:22:1873: Q&A With the Analyst
Sep 12, 2022Today's questions include:What's the difference between gas/diesel and aircraft engine oils?Does it matter if I'm using a filter magnet?Will residual additive skew results?How much oil do I need to sample?What information slip to use?Is oil analysis worthwhile before buying?
Duration: 00:16:1072: When Do I Check Back?
Aug 29, 2022No matter the reason for a customer's initial sample, there tends to be a familiar follow-up question: When do I check back? Listen as Blackstone Joe unpacks the question, and how it's important to send in a follow-up sample, especially when harder use is part of the equation.Bonus segments:Used oil analysis - not just for engines!Blackstone Joe responds to internet maintenance tips
Duration: 00:21:0271: Mixed Signals
Aug 15, 2022It's never a good idea to jump to conclusions, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance. In this episode, Blackstone Joe breaks down an example where an owner noticed low oil pressure, which can be evidence of a bearing problem, but not always. Enter the value of used oil analysis, where the owner was able to find out if the bearings were in fact wearing poorly, or if there might have been another explanation for the engine suddenly having low oil pressure.
Duration: 00:14:0070: To change or not to change?
Aug 01, 2022It's the age old question. "Do I need to change my oil?"Blackstone Joe is back in Episode 70 to answer this very question by breaking down a sample from his own 2021 Chevy Blazer.With a trip to Louisville looming, will the oil have what it takes to go the distance or is it time for a change?
Duration: 00:21:1069: A change in the trend
Jul 18, 2022This episode is comprised of four acts. Act 1: Open: An update on the Paul Blart Saga at Blackstone Laboratories.Act 2: A Lycoming owner switches to 15W/50 and we find a noticeable change in the trends, one element in particular. Was it a problem or not? Listen and you'll hear Blackstone Joe unpack the outcome.Act 3: Seawater can reach the engine oil, but will it always show up the same way? It's all about how severe the situation is. Blackstone Joe explains why there may or may not be water left in the oil, and how we can find evidence of...
Duration: 00:16:4668: To Catch A Problem/Paul Blart Blues
Jul 04, 2022An O-300 had a problem and it wasn't obvious on the operator's end, but luckily they sent an oil sample along. The problem was clear as day in the used oil, helping the owner keep the engine up in the air and keeping the repairs far less costly than they would be otherwise. You can reference the report data on our Insta, FB, and Twitter pages. The drama doesn't end there, though. Listen as Blackstone Joe details a series of mysterious packages being sent to his office, the contents, and where the situation currently stands.
Duration: 00:14:3067: Making Oil
Jun 20, 2022You want an engine to make good power, but making oil? Not so much. If you notice a rising oil level on the dipstick or that you drain more oil than you put in, there's a couple of contaminants that could be in play. Listen as Blackstone Joe details what sort of contaminants are likely to cause an increase in the oil level, how we find them in testing, and what to do next if you have a problem.
Duration: 00:19:0766: Making the call, shearing, and extended oil use
Jun 06, 2022In this episode, Blackstone Joe takes you through a few scenarios that analysts around Blackstone Laboratories find themselves in on a daily basis -- making sense of sudden changes in an aircraft engine's wear profile, evaluating low viscosity readings in a motorcycle engine, and suggesting longer oil change intervals.
Duration: 00:11:06Episode 65: Breaking Character
May 23, 2022Whether it's an actor onstage or an engine, a break in character can speak to a problem, but not always do increases in wear or indicators of contamination result in a problem. Instead, a break in character (or trends) can be the result of wear-in from repairs, or a newly-installed part. In this episode, Blackstone Joe unpacks exactly this type of shift where an engine that had built a reputation for wearing well and not struggling with contaminants suddenly took a turn in another direction, with high levels that had more than one possible explanation. Listen as Blackstone Joe details...
Duration: 00:14:12Episode 64: Sleuthing
May 09, 2022A sample where nothing was as it seems? That's exactly what happened to Blackstone Joe when he pulled up an aircraft sample that looked anything but right. Unusual additives, physical properties, and spikes in wear metals and silicon meant something had to be wrong. Want to learn more? Just press play on this episode. Thanks for listening!
Duration: 00:16:43Episode 63: Rules to live by
Apr 25, 2022A/C owners, folks wondering if that sample they took a while ago is still good for testing, and even those wondering how worried (if at all) they should be about an out-of-spec result will benefit from hearing this episode of Slick Talk, wherein Blackstone Joe breaks down helpful rules to live by that will make the process of sending in a sample and understanding the results afterward that much easier. After the main event, stay tuned for the bonus segment: Unit ID of the week!
Duration: 00:19:31Episode 62: Coolin' Down
Apr 11, 2022Oil is what you know us for, but it's by no means the entire scope of our analysis. Coolant and understanding whether it's serviceable is another crucial element to what makes a liquid-cooled engine stay on the road. Listen as Blackstone Joe unpacks the components of our analysis, bringing with him a few samples that illustrate what makes for a serviceable sample, and what can call for a flush/inspection. Bonus points: answers to survey questions regarding race oil and oil change intervals for race engines.
Duration: 00:17:34Episode 61: A Mirror Image
Mar 28, 2022Switching from one oil type to another can invite a lot of concern, but that doesn't have to be the case. In this episode, you'll learn how an owner that went from years of running one grade changed to another and wound up with results that were strikingly similar. Our host, Blackstone Joe, wasn't surprised and tells you exactly why he more or less expected the results post-switch to be a mirror-image of what we had seen from this particular engine before.
Duration: 00:16:34Episode 60: Fuel Forum Noir
Mar 14, 2022From the declassified files of Blackstone Joe: Fuel Forum Noir - a harrowing tale of concern on the keyboards, and an owner looking for answers.
Duration: 00:12:44Slick Talk - Episode 59: Behind the Wheel w/ @garage_engineer
Feb 28, 2022Automotive engineer by day, and all around good guy Matt B, a.k.a. @garage_engineer joins Blackstone Joe on Episode 59 of Slick Talk! Learn all about Matt's beloved 1987 Camaro, finding and fixing a coolant leak, and much, much more!
Duration: 00:30:08