Black oil
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
If the oil turns dark then the detergents are doing their job. Could be there is a build up inside the engine from previous oils that were not as good at keeping contaminants in suspension.
that oil doesn’t look too bad to me. Next time it may be cleaner after the same amount of run time.
an engine that has a lot of blowby will also darken the oil quickly.
that oil doesn’t look too bad to me. Next time it may be cleaner after the same amount of run time.
an engine that has a lot of blowby will also darken the oil quickly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Ditto, dirty oil means it's doing part of it's job. On a new-to-me car, I'll change the oil several times early to help flush the gunk out from a previous owner.
Last edited by BOOT77; Jan 24, 2021 at 01:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Oil running in a cast iron engine block will almost always turn darker. Could be so imbedded carbon particles wearing loose; could be some 'blow by' putting a little soot in the oil; etc.
If you do not see bright metallic particles in the oil, just watch it and change oil & filter every 3000 miles.
If you do not see bright metallic particles in the oil, just watch it and change oil & filter every 3000 miles.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Can't tell much about oil in a bucket.
Put a good size drop on a white ceramic tile. That helps determine opacity and will give you a better idea of what it actually looks like.
I put a white plastic sticker on the core support of my trucks and use it to check color and help determine when it's time to change. It's amazing how much quicker some engines oil gets funky and dark than others.
If you really want to know, send a sample and have it analyzed.
Put a good size drop on a white ceramic tile. That helps determine opacity and will give you a better idea of what it actually looks like.
I put a white plastic sticker on the core support of my trucks and use it to check color and help determine when it's time to change. It's amazing how much quicker some engines oil gets funky and dark than others.
If you really want to know, send a sample and have it analyzed.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 642
Likes: 105
From: Miami florida
I hate to say I see TINY TINY specs of silver. I know this may mean metal rubbing on metal, maybe crank tensioner timing chain etc. but i did just change timing change. flushing this weekend and refilling. using vr1 and hp4 filter fyi.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Change your oil filter (not the oil), run it for 50 miles and check another oil sample while any particles are still in suspension in the oil. Put sample in a small clear glass jar (baby food, etc) so you can shine a bright light into and through the oil with a white background. You could also cut open the removed oil filter to see what particulate it has captured in the folds of the filter media.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I remember vr1 synthetic to be dark green out of the box and royal purple a dark you guessed it purple darker oil going in darker oil going out.
I had a 2011 ford edge sport at 500 miles I. Put in royal purple at 3000 miles I took it to an oil change place out of town and the resident moron said my oil was black and needed to be flushed. I wouldn't be concerned unless you see metal.
I had a 2011 ford edge sport at 500 miles I. Put in royal purple at 3000 miles I took it to an oil change place out of town and the resident moron said my oil was black and needed to be flushed. I wouldn't be concerned unless you see metal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
are you using a ZDDP additive for the flat tappet cam? Some have good luck without out it, others not so much. When I bought my 74 it had a couple bad lobes on the factory cam.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jan 27, 2021 at 06:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Vr1 has zinc in it. I started using Red Line 20 w 50 because I. Live in Florida . Red line makes it in a non racing formulas so it doesn't require frequent changes.