New truck, black oil!

[WRStrong]

I just bought a 2007 Mega Cab with the 6. 7L. Lovin it so far except I am very concerned at the color of the oil on the dipstick. It seems very black and a little thin. Anyone heard of a problem with fuel contaminating the oil?? Hopefully I am just worrying about nothing. My 2003 5. 9 oil was cleaner than this after 3000 miles.



Would like to hear from others who either know what's going on or have also experienced the ugly oil after a few hundred miles.



Thanks

 

[CSkal]

All the 3g trucks have black oil almost immediately after an oil change. IIRC, it has to do with the 3rd injection event. The black oil is completely normal. As long as the level is correct and you don't smell fuel when you sniff the oil, you're good to go.

 

[2broke2smoke]

all 325 trucks have black oil upon start up ...



the wifes '03 would be honey colored for one thousand miles

 

[WRStrong]

Thanks for the replies guys. I feel a little better now. Always get a little nervous after paying for a new truck. I sure like the honey colored oil better than what I'm seeing in my 07. 5

 

[WestTN]

Of course you do realize that honey colored oil could mean the oil isn't doing it's job of holding and carrying the soot out on the next oil change. Don't you?

 

[JFaulkner]

Of course you do realize that honey colored oil could mean the oil isn't doing it's job of holding and carrying the soot out on the next oil change. Don't you?

Exactially, engine oil has more than one function. I'd be more worried if it wasn't black. Also unless you remove the oil pan and completely flush the entire block\head the remaining "old" oil will discolor the new oil alot.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

All the 3g trucks have black oil almost immediately after an oil change. IIRC, it has to do with the 3rd injection event. The black oil is completely normal. As long as the level is correct and you don't smell fuel when you sniff the oil, you're good to go.

EB commented in one of his threads that the oil on his 6. 7 C&C stays clear for a long time, clearer than his '03

 

[WRStrong]

Well... That is confusing. Some say oil gets black immediately others say it doesn't. Sure I understand the cleaning function of motor oil. But with a motor with 300 miles on it, I just don't understand what could need cleaning so badly. In a good new clean engine one would expect the oil to stay clean for a while and then darken up evenly over time as it picks up soot, acids, dirt etc. I can't say for sure that the oil smells like fuel but it does smell different that new oil. I guess I will just keep an eye on the oil and not worry. In the meantime the urge to do an early oil change is very hard to resist!

 

[TAbbott]

"EB commented in one of his threads that the oil on his 6. 7 C&C stays clear for a long time, clearer than his '03"



EB must have found some 30 wt. non-detergent somewhere. I'd say it's EB's oil that needs changing!

 

[2broke2smoke]

well we use the same oil and filter in the '06 that we used in the '03 and the '01 ...



rotella synthetic and fleetguard filters and the '06 with 5 miles on it is blacker than our '01 and '03 with 5,000 ...



EVERY 325 motor owner i've spoke to has the same comment about instantly dirty oil ...

 

[sevans16]

black oil

I just chalked it up to old oil in the system. Oil cooler etc. . I thought maybe cummins changed something inside. Maybe a check valve that keep all the oil from draining??? Just a guess.

 

[JFaulkner]

Keep in mind that the 6. 7L has EGR. And if you look at the intake piping of other EGR diesels all that black sludge is being recycled and could tend to darken the oil sooner.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Here is the thread I was talking about: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/6-7l-engine-transmissions-2007-5/176224-still-happy.html

 

[opjohnny]

How does the third event cause the soot to get in the oil? I have always wondered this. Is it past the rings? Valve stem seals?



John

 

[WRStrong]

Keep in mind that the 6. 7L has EGR. And if you look at the intake piping of other EGR diesels all that black sludge is being recycled and could tend to darken the oil sooner.

This is a good point to remember. I forgot that EGR is a new thing for our engines. My buddy installed an oil trap on his Jeep Liberty diesel to keep some of the oil out of his intercooler.



Good discussion. I appreciate your interest and feedback. I'm liking my 6. 7 more every day, (fingers crossed)

 

[sean3073]

I just got a 6. 7 from Dave Smith Motors. Only 20 miles on it. Drove it home and 300 miles later, the oil was BLACK. This can not be a good sign at all. Regardless of the cleaning properties of oil, there is nothing in the world that should take gallons of oil in a six banger to solid black. I am very nervous. Hope some one has an answer. I am hoping it's a seating thing with the piston rings which will improve over time. Any ideas?

 

[DPKetchum]

Its a DIESEL. Most all DIESELS do this. Yes some not as quick (their really the rare ones not the other way around)

 

[sean3073]

How about a small survey. How many of us have the new 6. 7 and the oil went pure black within 300 miles or so from brand new. Also, how many people have good clean oil? Lets see if it's a engine by engine case, and narrow it from there. I am well aware than diesels turn oil black, but I have never, to include the big rig's seen any thing like it.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Its a DIESEL. Most all DIESELS do this. Yes some not as quick (their really the rare ones not the other way around)

I beg to differ. . . I've owned 5 CTDs: '98. 5, 2001 HO, 2003 HO, 96 5-speed and '98 12V and none of them turned the oil dark before 2000 miles. Had the '01 and the '03 turned up to ~350rwhp and they stayed clean the longest, usually honey colored after 3k miles.

 

[sean3073]

Vaughn, I am with you. I am saying that the oil turning black from a brand new engine is wrong. That is why I am hoping to find as many 6. 7 owners and see what there oil is doing.