Episode Guide:0-4:19 - Latest albums we've been listening to. Joe and Ben first bonded over music and as such they like catching each other up on the latest albums they've been jamming to in the office. 4:20-31:22 - Unit IDs defined and the IDs we loveBen defines what exactly a Unit ID is in the Blackstone Universe, and from there Joe and Ben talk favorite Unit IDs they've come across, and a little story about each particular unit the ID is given to.31:23-37:45 - On The MoneyJoe and Ben talk about a recent IO-550 sample and how the findings paired with symptoms the customer was noticing in operation helped to identify a particular issue.

A long-awaited guest finally joins the program: Ryan Stark, president of Blackstone Laboratories. This is a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from the early days of Blackstone, how the business has evolved over the years, and of course fun facts about the man himself. Enjoy!

Analyzing a filter can prove just as worthwhile as analyzing used oil. But there’s a big difference in exactly how this analysis is conducted and the information you can gather. If you’ve ever wondered what useful knowledge you can glean from your engine’s filter, look no further than this episode, hosted by Blackstone Joe.

Blackstone Joe sat down with fellow senior analyst, Raegan, to break down a variety of topics. Fresh off an appearance at the Oshkosh air show, Raegan unpacks what makes Oshkosh such a special experience for aircraft owners and enthusiasts. From there, our analysts delved into the hands-on vehicle maintenance that helped Raegan roll into Blackstone ready to talk all things petrol. Stay tuned till the end of the episode to hear Joe and Raegan break down data from a Lycoming O-360 as well as what problem the owner as able to solve thanks to the help of used oil analysis. Enjoy!

A sample arrived from a Volvo diesel, and it didn't look pretty. The engine was clearly wearing poorly, but why? Listen as Blackstone Joe unpacks the results, and how they pointed the customer in the right direction to make repairs and keep the engine running. Oil analysis for the win!Bonus cuts: a preview of what's to come on Slick Talk, and an important update to our shipping process.

What do a bullet in the Blazer, magnetic oil, and phone calls have in common? They're all part of episode 45, which finds our host Blackstone Joe breaking down an unfortunate event in his Blazer ownership, a sample in the lab that was too interesting not to share, and of course the main event: When Data Calls. Phone calls are important not just for checking an address or card number - they're a way for analysts to reach out and gather important background info, or in some cases, relay the good/bad news you were waiting on. Happy listening!

A customer recently inquired about which engines we've seen the most, and that got our host, Blackstone Joe, thinking. Sure he had some usual suspects in mind, but it took a deep dive into the database to find the Top 10, and it was a journey worth going on.Join Blackstone Joe as he breaks down not only the engines and systems we've seen customers sample the most, but also fun facts, common issues, and characteristics of the makes/models included.

When starting this podcast, our primary goal was to establish a connection with customers where we aren't just pulling the curtain back on Blackstone Laboratories and what sets us apart - we also wanted to learn more about our customers, what drives them to seek out oil analysis, how it aids in their maintenance plan, and what interests/jobs/hobbies they have that rely on the services we offer. This episode accomplished just that. Blackstone Joe and Kevin Jones (the latter is better known as Ultra4Jones on Instagram and elsewhere on social media) made a connection via the podcast and it didn't take long to find out there was plenty to discuss surrounding oil analysis and how it relates to vehicle maintenance, whether it be a daily driver or a vehicle asked to endure the demands of something much tougher, Ultra 4 Racing. If you're a novice to Ultra 4, don't worry - we break it down and delve into engine/vehicle builds, wrenching in the garage, and so much more.

If you're an aircraft owner, odds are good you know the word "inactivity" but have you ever wondered why we ask about it on our slips? Listen as Blackstone Joe delves into the word, what it means to us, and why it's so important to keep an engine active. If you aren't quite sure what the definition of inactivity even is, don't worry - we start with definitions and work our way from there.

Today's episode title is a burning question on the minds of many Blackstone customers. Today, Blackstone Joe unveils the identity of the mysterious Oscar, along with some fun facts and a breakdown of our example report.