Oil Color/ Oil Brand... Whats normal?

[roperteacher]

My 04. 5 600 was the same as everyone else's when it was new... . many were reporting that the oil turned BLACK very quickly. At about my 3rd oil change my oil stayed fairly clear, when it needed changing it was not black and I could easily see the marks on the dip stick. 3,000 miles ago I used Delo 400 and I noticed it was very BLACK at around 2500 miles. Smelled fine, truck running good etc... So after 3,000 I went to dealer and used one of my free coupon oil changes and so far still staying very clear. DO some oils / brands/ turn black quicker??? What would make the oil turn black all of a sudden??? I know diesels are known for this, but I just wondered why it would be pretty clear, then black, then clear again? Thanks! Oo.

 

[Alan Reagan]

You can't really use oil color as a criteria for how well the oil is working or if one oil is better than another. In some cases with a diesel, the oil can turn black immediately. Sometimes it will remain clear longer. It depends alot with the quality of fuel being burned. Also, it depends on the additives in the oil and how well they suspend the soot and other contaminants. Color is also not a criteria for lubricity of the oil nor can you tell when it's time to change based on the color. Oil additives are what break down over time and that's what determines when the recommended oil change should occur. I don't know who packages oil for DC to use at the dealers, but I know it doesn't have the additive that makes it smell like burned oil when you come to a stop during the first 500 miles after a change. When I used Valvoline PB2000, it smelled terrible at a stop with the engine running. Valvoline Extreme doesn't.



My dad used to swear that his engine was perfect because the oil stayed clear. The mechanic that used to work on our tractor trailers said that the only thing signified by that was that the oil didn't hold the particles in suspension. Diesels will normally turn oil black quickly. Again, it has to do with fuel quality, air temp, amount of fuel being put to the engine and other factors such as turbocharger efficiency. All of these point to soot in the engine due to the type of fuel burn in a diesel (combustion).

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Roperteacher it's possible your dealer used the wrong oil (not diesel rated) and it's not holding the soot in suspension like Alan mentioned, causing it to stay clear longer.



I have been curious why the 600s turn oil black quickly and the 555s do not. My '03 would take 2000-3000 miles to start to turn the Delo 400 honey colored.



Vaughn

 

[yogibear]

Vaughn, thats because you drove it like a little old Lady!! :-laf

 

[roperteacher]

Thanks guys!! I knew you would know... . I change my oil every 3,000 regardless so my oil never stays in long enough to really worry about it. THere was another thread on DC oil. . thats what got me to thinking. I was however thinking seriously about getting the Stratopore filters and having the dealer just add the oil for longevity of the engine, I actually want to keep this ol gal for a long time. I have never known life W/O a truck payment... I would like to think that in 4 years I'll know the feeling, but by then there will be some big something all fancy that Iw ill have to have! Like a cummins in Ford or Chevy truck..... But I'm totally happy with dodges, It's all I have ever known except for the ONE "PowerPuke" I had briefly... . Beautiful ford truck, smoking interior, comforts galore... all it was good for was to be comfortable while waiting for the tow truck!!

 

[nickleinonen]

I have been curious why the 600s turn oil black quickly and the 555s do not.

in-cylinder combustion and diesel oxidation catalyst solution requires no exhaust gas circulation components.

that's got to be it...

 

[jimnance]

My 04. 5 600 was the same as everyone else's when it was new... . many were reporting that the oil turned BLACK very quickly. At about my 3rd oil change my oil stayed fairly clear, when it needed changing it was not black and I could easily see the marks on the dip stick. 3,000 miles ago I used Delo 400 and I noticed it was very BLACK at around 2500 miles. Smelled fine, truck running good etc... So after 3,000 I went to dealer and used one of my free coupon oil changes and so far still staying very clear. DO some oils / brands/ turn black quicker??? What would make the oil turn black all of a sudden??? I know diesels are known for this, but I just wondered why it would be pretty clear, then black, then clear again? Thanks! Oo.

The first few thousand miles you will see more soot in the oil as the rings need time to break in. Meantime, blow-by will load the oil with soot.



Different oils have different detergent packages. Some are more effective than others. One possible explaination of what you observe is that Delo may have a more effective detergent package and is cleaning up stuff that the other oil left behind. To know for sure you will need to get a another oil change or two with Delo. Don't be surprised if the oil in future changes shows less early colration.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Vaughn, thats because you drove it like a little old Lady!! :-laf

Who me? Sure, like the blue hair from Pasadena, driving a truck with a Bully Box~!