The Sample
Two to three ounces of warm oil pulled mid-drain — not the first flow (which carries settled sediment) and not the last. Mid-drain is representative of what was circulating. The engine must be at operating temperature. On the 916 iS, pull the sample after the turbocharger cool-down run.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch
The oil sample is injected into a plasma torch running at ~6,000°C — hotter than the surface of the sun. The extreme heat vaporizes the oil completely and excites every atom present to a high-energy state, ready to emit light.
Spectrometric Analysis
As excited atoms return to ground state, they emit light at characteristic wavelengths. Iron, nickel, aluminum, copper, lead, silicon — each element has a unique spectral signature. The spectrometer reads all of them simultaneously, separating the light into individual emission lines.
Parts Per Million
Wavelength intensities translate to elemental concentrations. Illustrative first-sample values for a Rotax 916 iS at 50 hours on 100LL, based on iRMT community data:
The Written Report
Every Blackstone report is written by a technician, not software — plain-English commentary that contextualizes the numbers against engine type and history. For Savvy subscribers, the PDF attaches to the client ticket for A&P review alongside G3X engine monitor data. The oil analysis is one input in a broader picture, not a standalone verdict.
Iron — gearbox, rings, cams
Nickel — Nikasil cylinders
Aluminum — pistons, bearings
Lead — 100LL combustion byproduct
Silicon — dirt / sealants