Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my results?

Your results will be emailed out to you once testing and interpretation has been completed. You can also find your results online on our SOS web portal.

How do I know if my sample has arrived in the lab?

If you have access to the SOS web portal your sample will appear in the samples menu and the lab number will start with T210.

What is S3?

S3 Technology is our new way to pre-register your samples online. Using the QR code on the side of the bottle, you can enter your details into the CAT inspect app. To be set up for this service please contact the oil lab at oillab@terraanalytical.co.nz.

What is SOS web?

SOS Web is our web portal where you can manage your fleet, view your samples online and pre-register your samples. To be set up for this service please contact the oil lab at oillab@terraanalytical.co.nz.

Where can I get resources and training for SOS web and S3?

You can find our user guides for these platforms on the Resources page.

Where can I find a label to write out?

You can find a copy of our labels on the Resources page, or you can pre-register your labels via the CAT inspect app, or on SOS web.

Where can I buy a kit from?

Click Order Test Kits to buy a kit online.

How do I fill in my paperwork?

Click here to view an example of a completed label.

What is our standard turnaround time?

Our current turnaround is 48 hours upon arrival into the lab, please note some specialised testing may take longer. Please enquire if you need a sample urgently.

What does your alert level mean?

Your alert level is determined according to the evaluation codes provided in your results. The evaluation code will be one of four: No Action Required, Monitor Component, Action Required, or Urgent Action Required. For more information read about Your Results.

Where can I find more information on testing?

Click here to learn about our Testing Process.

What tests do you do?

The standard laboratory tests performed on Engine oil samples are:

• Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C – The Viscosity measured in Centistokes (cSt)
• PQ (Magnetic Particle) Index test - This is not Parts Per Million (PPM). The PQ index generally increases with an increasing content of ferrous metal.
• Oil conditioning testing by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared). This measures Soot, Water, Sulphation, Nitration, and Oxidation.
• Elemental Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). This covers 24 elements which are measured in Parts Per Million (Lead, (Pb), Iron, (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Copper (Cu), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Lithium (Li), Silver (Ag), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Titanium (Ti) and Vanadium (V)).
• Fuel Dilution by Gas Chromatography – If you suspect Fuel Dilution, please add this as a note on the sample ticket
• The oils are visually inspected for visible debris
• Samples are screened for water via FTIR – any positive water is confirmed via a Hotplate Crackle Test (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% & >1%)

For Hydraulics, Transmissions and Gearboxes, we complete the following:

• Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C – The Viscosity measured in Centistokes (cSt).
• PQ (Magnetic Particle) Index test - This is not displayed in Parts Per Million (PPM). The PQ index generally increases with an increasing content of ferrous metal.
• Oil conditioning testing by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared). This measures Soot, Water, Sulphation, Nitration, and Oxidation.
• Elemental Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). This covers 24 elements which are measured in Parts Per Million (Lead, (Pb), Iron, (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Copper (Cu), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Lithium (Li), Silver (Ag), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Titanium (Ti) and Vanadium (V)).
• The oils are visually inspected for visible debris
• Hydraulic and Transmission samples are screened for water via FTIR – any positive water is confirmed via a Hotplate Crackle Test (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% & >1%)
• Gearbox samples are screened for water via the hotplate crackle test (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% & >1%)
• ISO 4406 Particle Counts

For Gear samples, the following is completed:

• Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C – The Viscosity measured in Centistokes (cSt).
• PQ (Magnetic Particle) Index test - This is not displayed in Parts Per Million (PPM). The PQ index generally increases with an increasing content of ferrous metal.
• Oil conditioning testing by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared). This measures Soot, Water, Sulphation, Nitration, and Oxidation.
• Elemental Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). This covers 24 elements which are measured in Parts Per Million (Lead, (Pb), Iron, (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Copper (Cu), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Lithium (Li), Silver (Ag), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Titanium (Ti) and Vanadium (V)).
• The oils are visually inspected for visible debris.
• Gear samples are screened for water via the hotplate crackle test (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% & >1%) 

For Coolants, we complete the following analysis:

• Physical/Sensory including Appearance, Colour, Oil, Foam and Precipitate.
• PQ (Magnetic Particle) Index test - This is not displayed in Parts Per Million (PPM). The PQ index generally increases with an increasing content of ferrous metal.
• Colour
• pH
• Glycol Content
• Boiling Point
• Conductivity
• Nitrite Levels (Caterpillar Requirement for Cat Equipment
• Coming soon is the Elemental Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). This covers 24 elements which are measured in Parts Per Million (Lead, (Pb), Iron, (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Copper (Cu), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Lithium (Li), Silver (Ag), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Titanium (Ti) and Vanadium (V)).

Please enquire about other testing requirements.

Can you test Fuel?

We can test Diesel fuel. We cannot test Petrol fuels as this can be a risk to our lab equipment due to their flammability. Please enquire about any biofuels.

What compartments/samples do you test?

Our standard compartments are:

•  Final drive
•  Differentials
•  Engines – including Gas and TBN
•  Hydraulic systems – extra testing of TAN available
•  Transmissions
•  Gearboxes
•  Coolants

We also can test:

•  Aeroplanes compartments
•  Glycol – please indicate on the sample label if your sample is glycol
•  Diesel Fuel
•  DEF
•  Greases
•  Compressors – please advise if these are refrigerants or contain ammonia on the label

If your sample contains a risk to our lab equipment or staff, please advise the lab before sending your sample in. Some of these risks include unknown contaminants, unknown substances, and hazardous substances.

What contaminants are you looking for?

The usual contaminants are dirt, water (including salt water), wear metals, and coolants. If you have a specific contaminant you are looking for please enquire with the lab.

Evaluation Codes

eval check circle green

No action required

eval excl tri yellow

Monitor component

eval excl tri red

Action required

eval excl circle red

Urgent action required