Back to the Basics Laboratories

Back to the Basics Labs provides on-site oil analysis and fluid contamination screening for fleet vehicles, generators, farm equipment, and light-duty engines. Our mobile lab helps identify water, coolant, and fuel contamination early, supporting preventive maintenance and reducing costly downtime across Central Texas.

Engine Oil & Transmission Fluid Screening Services

Our on-site engine oil and transmission fluid screening services help fleet operators identify early signs of contamination and abnormal wear—before minor issues turn into costly failures or extended downtime.

What We Screen For

Our in-service fluid screening helps identify common conditions that impact equipment reliability and service life:

Water Contamination 

Water in engine oil or transmission fluid reduces lubrication, promotes corrosion, and can lead to overheating and internal damage—especially after flooding, heavy rain, or high-humidity exposure.

Fuel Dilution 

Fuel intrusion lowers oil viscosity and weakens lubrication, increasing wear on critical engine components and accelerating oil degradation.

Coolant Intrusion 

Coolant contamination can cause sludge formation, corrosion, bearing damage, and rapid component deterioration if not addressed early.

Soot Accumulation 

Excess soot thickens oil, increases abrasive wear, and may indicate combustion inefficiencies or developing engine issues.

Why Preventive Screening Matters

Basic fluid screening provides early insight that supports proactive maintenance and long-term cost control:

• Helps prevent catastrophic engine and transmission failures 
• Reduces emergency repairs and towing 
• Minimizes unexpected downtime and operational disruption 
• Extends component life and delays major replacements 
• Supports planned maintenance instead of reactive repairs 

Even avoiding a single major failure can offset the cost of screening across multiple vehicles - added value!

Especially Valuable After Severe Weather

Flooding, storm surge, and prolonged moisture exposure can compromise engine and transmission fluids without immediate visible symptoms. Post-event screening helps confirm equipment condition and identify hidden contamination before equipment is returned to service.

Designed for Fleet Operations

This service is a cost-effective preventive maintenance tool for high-use fleets operating under tight budgets and mission-critical demands. On-site screening delivers fast, actionable insight to help protect assets, control costs, and keep equipment in service.

Interested?

We can bring the mobile lab to your location to discuss your fleet, answer questions, and demonstrate the value of preventive fluid screening—at no cost.