Three million diagnoses – and counting

WearCheck, a leader in condition monitoring, has reached an impressive milestone: diagnostic manager John Evans recently analysed his three-millionth used oil sample at the company’s Durban laboratory.

WearCheck specialises in evaluating used oils and other machinery fluids such as coolants, greases, and fuels. Using cutting-edge laboratory techniques, its experts assess the health of engines and machinery components, predicting potential mechanical issues before they occur.

Evans, who joined WearCheck in Durban in 1989, has dedicated over four decades to the tribology sector. He began his career in oil analysis with Caterpillar in Botswana in 1983 and holds a BSc in Chemistry from Southampton University.

At WearCheck, Evans wears many hats. He oversees diagnostics, provides customer support, conducts training, and manages remote diagnostic operations for companies with in-house oil analysis labs. He is also the co-author of The Oil Analysis Handbook. His expertise guides a team of nine diagnosticians, who together have analysed 12.5 million samples. Remarkably, four of these diagnosticians have each personally diagnosed over one million samples.

The diagnostic team boasts an impressive array of qualifications, including degrees and diplomas in engineering and scientific disciplines. This diverse expertise provides a wealth of knowledge, amounting to a combined 200 years of diagnostic experience. As Evans notes, “I’ve learned so much from incredible mentors over the years. What’s fascinating about oil diagnostics is that there’s always something new to learn, even after decades. Analysing three million samples is like checking the health of an entire city with three million residents!”

Beyond oil analysis, WearCheck offers a wide range of condition monitoring services. These include water analysis, transformer oil analysis, asset reliability care (ARC), lubricant-enabled reliability, and advanced field services such as non-destructive testing, rope testing, and technical compliance.