Engine oil color

Topic: Engine oil color (Read 523 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine oil color

May 22, 2021, 08:00:28 am

3,000 miles on my '98 U295 since engine oil and filters were changed when I bought it. Checked the oil level today and was surprised at the color. Black. Is it supposed to be the same color that went in? Just finished changing the hydraulic fluid and filters with the same Delo 15W-40, so I know what that looks like.

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #1 – May 22, 2021, 08:05:13 am

No problem. Diesels do turn the oil black.

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #2 – May 22, 2021, 08:19:31 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 22, 2021, 08:05:13 am

No problem. Diesels do turn the oil black.

Oh, thank you, thank you. My first diesel, and I was hoping that was the answer, but it had me concerned!

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #3 – May 22, 2021, 08:30:38 am

I'm willing to bet you are not the first new owners to be shocked by the rapid color change of the engine oil. Our coach was also our first diesel engine (8 years ago) and I had the exact same reaction.

On the bright side: makes it much easier to see the oil level on the dip stick!

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #4 – May 22, 2021, 08:37:14 am

Quote from: Dan & Annie – May 22, 2021, 08:19:31 am

Oh, thank you, thank you. My first diesel, and I was hoping that was the answer, but it had me concerned!

Diesels are veritable lamp black factories. The particles are too fine to be removed by the oil filter, i.e. too small to be harmful.

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #5 – May 22, 2021, 08:41:38 am

Dan & Annie,

If you guys are the inquisitive or scientific minded types, and wish to be more informed about what is happening inside your engine, you might consider getting the oil analyzed at your next change. There are several companies offering this service. Search "oil analysis" on the Forum for many opinions. See the thread below to get you started:

Oil Analysis, Many of You Do This?

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #6 – May 22, 2021, 10:04:27 am

Most of the black is just carbon. Not harmful.

Pierce

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #7 – May 22, 2021, 10:30:51 am

I change my Cat 3126 at 4K miles. It is just starting to get black.

I realize black is normal, but I believe my ring problem was do to extended oil changes. Carbon behind the rings on the 3126 Cat is deadly. Oil is cheap.

Chris

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #8 – May 22, 2021, 04:38:57 pm

A last thought to U. If it is gray or brown, "milky". U are getting coolant into it. Pray for something simple but get it to a shop familiar with diesels at once, not to be trifled with.

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #9 – May 22, 2021, 08:08:42 pm

Quote from: Billbag – May 22, 2021, 04:38:57 pm

A last thought to U. If it is gray or brown, "milky". U are getting coolant into it. Pray for something simple but get it to a shop familiar with diesels at once, not to be trifled with.

And vs verses. I got diesel in the coolant. Cracked injector sleeve. Forutantly, it didn't get coolant in the fuel.

Diesel in the coolant you can't see, you only notice your coolant level going up, then smell it.

Chris

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Engine oil color

May 22, 2021, 08:00:28 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #1 – May 22, 2021, 08:05:13 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #2 – May 22, 2021, 08:19:31 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #3 – May 22, 2021, 08:30:38 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #4 – May 22, 2021, 08:37:14 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #5 – May 22, 2021, 08:41:38 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #6 – May 22, 2021, 10:04:27 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #7 – May 22, 2021, 10:30:51 am

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #8 – May 22, 2021, 04:38:57 pm

Re: Engine oil color

Reply #9 – May 22, 2021, 08:08:42 pm

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