You should sample at regular equipment operating hours (see your maintenance manual for recommendation) and with oil in circulation, alternatively within 30 minutes after equipment shutdown.

Metal Check test kits shipped via our new Shipping Program can be shipped via FedEx/Smart Post or USPS. Both have partnered to offer our customers the convenience of USPS many drop-point locations and the power and speed of FedEx's network. It is this powerful combination that enables Aviation Laboratories to ensure faster turnaround of your analysis results.

If shipping via USPS drop box or center, record the first tracking number beginning with 420 56950 91. Only the last 20 digits are required for tracking your shipment, as these digits are unique to your shipment. If shipping via FedEx drop box, pick up service or center, record the second tracking number beginning with 9611918 3106815. Only the last 15 digits are required for tracking your shipment, as these digits are unique to your shipment.

Oil and filter samples are analyzed and reported within 24-48 hours. Due to incubation time, fuel and hydraulic fluid samples are on a 48-72 hour turnaround. If there are problematic results which indicate that immediate action may be required, we will contact you by telephone to discuss these with you.

For speed of reporting and quality of reading we prefer to email results rather than fax or post. You can specify how you want to receive the results when sending us the sample. For your convenience, you may also go to AvResults 24/7 to retrieve your lab results.

Quite frequently the difficulty you are experiencing comes from a printer setting on the customer's printer. Many printers are set up to allow (or disallow) background printing. The purpose for this is to prevent unnecessary printing of background colors that may use a LOT of color ink.

Follow the following steps to print your results:
1) Go to Tools;
2) Click on Print;
3) Click on Page Setup;
4) Click on the check box that says "Print Background Colors and Images"

For other browsers, simply go to your printer properties and check (or uncheck) the box related to background colors.

A detailed analysis report is sent to you every time you send us a sample. Recommendations and previous oil data (if any) are included in the report. If you require more information our analysts will be happy to help you. If your sample is in alert you should contact your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

If draining oil through the drain plug hole, catch a 2 oz. sample at midstream within 30 min of engine shutdown. If using the tubing that comes with the kit, ideally go no deeper than the oil pump pick-up. A length of tube passed down through the dip stick hole or similar, usually works well with a plastic bottle or a pump connected to draw up the oil. We need about 50ml of fluid.

We do NOT test for Chlorinated Solvents. We can, however, test for total chlorine, but NOT chlorinated solvents. Because the chemical form of chlorine and its relation to harmful effects in the hydraulic fluid (i.e., chloride ions versus organic chloro-compounds versus total chlorine in all forms), it is generally agreed that total chlorine content should be measured and controlled.

Yes, your FTK Kit is a Hazmat item. Please refer to the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for the type of fuel you are returning for all regulated information on storage, transportation, etc. The fuel sample you are returning in the FTK kit is considered a "Dangerous Goods" shipment. Regulations require that your shipment be shipped by a certified dangerous goods shipper. A good source to locate a certified dangerous goods or hazmat shipper is either via your local yellow pages or via the internet to find locations nearest you. Your mechanic may be a resource as well. More importantly, it is the responsibility of the shipper of the FTK kit containing the jet fuel to make proper shipping arrangements and to seek and identify a local certified shipper to handle the shipment of "hazmat" fuel samples to our lab.

Certified Shippers of dangerous goods or hazmat items are professionally trained and certified to the latest revisions of the different modes of transport. These include the regulations of 49 CFR parts 100-185 for all domestic ground transport. When shipping via Air transport, please refer to the IATA regulations. When shipping via Ocean or Rail transport, please refer to the IMDG regulations. It is advised that you do not proceed with shipping “hazmat or dangerous goods” without the professional handling/services of a certified shipper. Governing agencies such as the DOT or the FAA can impose severe and hefty fines for nonconforming shippers.

Please ensure that you have tightened the lid of the sample bottle properly. Enclose the sample bottle in the plastic bag provided, and put the sample into the kit box, along with the Customer Information Form (CIF). We do a rigorous statistical analysis of your sample data, but to do that we need some information about the oil sample and the equipment it came out of. The Customer Information Form (CIF) included with each kit has space for all the information we need, so please fill out the Customer Information Form completely and include it with the sample when you send the kit back to us.

Place the return USPS label onto the outside of the kit box and ship via USPS.

DO NOT FORGET TO RECORD YOUR TRACKING NUMBER!!

We can supply you with Aviation Laboratories oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, filter, and debris kits, which include everything needed to take a sample.

Absolutely! If there are any results you do not understand, you may learn more by referencing Analysis Explanation or by visiting Technical Data/Docucuments in our KnowledgeBox for more analysis information. If you still require assistance, our technical advisers would be happy to assist you. They can be reached by email at lab@avlab.com or telephone, 713-864-6677 Mon – Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm CST.

It is our intention to try and accommodate our customers' needs. AOG and Rush analysis is provided for an additional cost.

Aviation Laboratories can monitor any fixed-wing piston, turboprop or turbofan engine and associated oil wetted equipment as well as any rotorcraft piston, turboshaft, main and tail rotor gearboxes.