Oil turns very black @ 500 miles: Normal or Not?

[fortunate1]

Anyone have a diesel truck that turns newly changed oil very dark that soon? BTW, it's not my Ram that I'm asking about; it's a friend's F-250. Should he change the oil more frequently? Is there something wrong going on here? Mileage is about 150K, but it's always done this. My oil stays clean enough to read all the dipstick markings all the way to the change (6000-7500 miles). The ford's oil is so dark at 500 miles that you can't read any markings on the dipstick. Any thoughts?

 

[Rosco]

The two powerstrokes I have at work seem to turn the oil black about 20 miles after the oil is changed. I assume they just produce a lot of soot.

 

[big jake 1]

as an owner of a couple of older 6. 9 idi Fords, yes it is normal for these to soot up the oil quickly. Mine usually takes about 1500 miles to do so , but it only has about 35k miles on a rebuild.



big jake

 

[bmoeller]

My 6. 9L does the same thing, only takes about 500 miles. The Dodge though, even at 3-4k, it still looks pretty clean as though it was a gasser.

 

[illflem]

I don't think the oil turning dark soon is due to fresh soot but rather to old black oil trapped in areas that don't drain well and sludge deposits mixing with the fresh oil when it circulates. I've always considered it pretty normal for a diesel engine.

 

[The patriot]

I've noticed that ever since I started running "off road" fuel, my truck's oil soots up faster than before.

It can be coincidence, but I dont think so.

Eric

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Mine has always turned black real early. I checked blow by and it doesnt seem to have made the engine wear any more than normal. In fact they said it was in great shape for its age.

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by The patriot

I've noticed that ever since I started running "off road" fuel, my truck's oil soots up faster than before.

It can be coincidence, but I dont think so.

Eric

not sure if it is related, but most off road diesel fuel has more sulfer in it. better for the injection pumps [lubes it] but worse for the enviroment. maybe the extra sulfer causes a bit more soot?

 

[illflem]

Off road fuel is allowed to have more sulfur but very rarely does, just creates a needless pipeline hassle running two grades though. Only difference is most often just the dye.

 

[The patriot]

Bill, I'm told that we have some pretty old refineries here, maybe theyre still making the sulfur stuff?

The truck was a little quieter, and got slightly better mileage... or so it seemed.

Like I said... . it seems like a conicidence, but I dont think so.

Eric

 

[fortunate1]

Sounds like it's a normal thing for the fords. The truck in question has a 7. 3 non-turbo under the hood. Would the lack of "extra air" cause a more sooty combustion? (assuming that the premature blackening is not caused by old, sludgy oil left in the pan or galleries, like illflem suggested)

 

[johnjackson]

What illflem said about the offroad. All the same except for the color..... unless your managing to obtain blue offroad. That is the good old high sulpher fuel. Used in ships, pumping stations, etc.



Also I have an old Isuzu diesel pickup, non turbo. It blacks its oil immediatly. Like India ink. I suspect there sootier without the turbo. Don't know why anyone would make a diesel engine without a turbo.



John