Podcast

Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories

Automotive, Leisure

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.

Automotive chart
#181
Episodes
181
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
13 min
On air since
2019
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

181 episodes, newest first

  1. 181: Turbo vs Normal

    Show notes

    How differently do engines with turbos look compared to their naturally aspirated counterparts? Do they wear more? Need the oil changed more often? The answer lies, as always, 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

    15 min
  2. 180: Age is Just a Number, Redux

    Show notes

    It’s been a spooky season, and there's a familiar fright that our customers have been asking about, so this episode is a re-release addressing the very same: how calendar time does (or does not) affect the oil in your engine. Look forward to a piping hot, new episode dropping next Monday.

    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

    18 min
  3. 179: The Mechanic and the Analyst with Samir Kharbas

    Show notes

    Blackstone Joe sits down with senior analyst Samir Kharbas. Previously a professional mechanic, Samir shares how joining the Blackstone team has shaped his approach to maintenance.

    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: Samir Kharbas

    Producer: Arryn Dennard

    28 min
  4. 178: At First Glance with Suzi Hermann

    Show notes

    Looks can be very deceiving when it comes to oil, as we analysts learn day after day. Blackstone Joe sits down with fellow senior analyst Suzi Hermann to discuss some of the most common examples. When does dirty oil equal a problem? How concerning is a fuel smell? The answer lies 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

    Guest: Suzi Hermann

    Producer: Arryn Dennard

    21 min
  5. 177: Artificial Analysis with Samir Kharbas

    Show notes

    More people are turning to AI for answers, even when it comes to oil analysis. But how good are those answers? What does a machine know about oil analysis? Blackstone Joe sits down with one of our most senior analysts to find out.

    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: Samir Kharbas

    Producer: Arryn Dennard

    25 min
  6. 176: The Way Back

    Show notes

    Sequel to episode 172: "Trust the Process". Getting an engine back to its old self after a problem is a lot like recovering from a runner's injury: it's easier when you keep your care team informed.

    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

    12 min
  7. 175: New Oil or Nah?

    Show notes

    A customer sent in a sample, asking us to prove whether it was new oil, or if the shop was slacking. The answer isn't a simple 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

    9 min
  8. 174: No Stone Unturned

    Show notes

    You don't like hearing about trouble, and we don't like reporting it. But the data calls, and we'l 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

    11 min
  9. 173: CVT Suspicions

    Show notes

    The more info you give us, the better our analysis can be. That's never more true than when dealing with delicate machines like transmissions.

    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

    12 min
  10. 172: Trust the Process

    Show notes

    It doesn't matter if it's a coolant leak or tendonitis. You gotta trust the 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

    13 min
  11. 171: A Tailored Suit

    Show notes

    Unit/location averages are one of our most useful tools, though they can be a little difficult to wrap your head around at first. A customer emailed in for some clarification, and Blackstone Joe provides.

    On a related note: Rhea Seehorn, please come on our show!

    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

    9 min
  12. 170: Additives, Then and Now

    Show notes

    How are oil additives changing over the years? Blackstone Joe takes a look at Mobil 1 specifically, and how we answered a customer's question about how their additives levels varied in different samples of the same blend.

    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

    14 min
  13. 169: Prius Problem?

    Show notes

    A Slick Talk listener wanted to know about the Gen 3 Prius, noting concern about EGR issues that lead to a head gasket replacement being necessary, and if our samples could indicate if something needed to be done. If there's a problem with the head gasket, coolant contamination is a telltale sign in our testing. Blackstone Joe went to the data to see how many instances of coolant there are in the 2ZR-FXE samples we've tested, and the data might 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

    12 min
  14. 168: Filtration Forensics

    Show notes

    If you haven't checked your air filter in a while, this is your reminder to do so.

    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

    10 min
  15. 167: Blackstone Social

    Show notes

    This week, we're highlighting some of our new ventures, including our first foray into the reaction video genre. We also want to introduce some of the excellent content creators we've been honored to pair with lately.

    Double Clutch Auto Reviews: "How-To: Get a Used Oil Sample On Your Car: w/ Blackstone Laboratories"

    Eleven After Nine: "Bore Scoring is Overblown: Blackstone Labs Porsche Data Revealed"

    Rennthusiast Radio: "Bore Scoring: The Risk Isn’t What You Think | Blackstone Senior Oil Analyst"

    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

    17 min
  16. 166: Hot for Answers

    Show notes

    Typical turnaround for a report is a few weeks after you've shipped the sample to us, depending on factors like distance and weather. But sometimes you need answers ASAP, and that's where our "hot run" comes in.

    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

    15 min
  17. 165: Evan's Waterless, a Saga of Mixed Proportions

    Show notes

    This week on Slick Talk: no water, no problem. We say our testing is great at detecting coolant, but how true is that? Time for a science experiment.

    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

    14 min
  18. 164: Oil the World's a Stage

    Show notes

    How is theatre like oil analysis? This was a burning question that could only be answered by a couple of Fort Wayne's premiere talents: Blackstone Joe and fellow senior analyst Augustia Robinson.

    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: Augustia Robinson

    Producer: Arryn Dennard

    40 min
  19. 163: Youtube & You

    Show notes

    This one's a three-course meal. Starting with a light Q&A aperitif, we move on to the main course of addressing some AI shenanigans, then move on to a delicious dessert consisting of one customer's truly exceptional tutorial.

    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

    22 min
  20. 162: Instagram Inquiries

    Show notes

    Everyone is on social media these days, and that includes us. When email is too formal and phone calls are too unwieldy, know you can always send us a message on Facebook or Instagram. Today's episode is thanks to one such message.

    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

    12 min