Oil is going black really fast, how do I fix this?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,953
Likes: 25
From: 17 ft below sea level.
I have to drive another 700km to change it.
It will all happen on Friday 19th.
If I'll make it THAT far on the oil.
I've seen enough UOA's of Amsoil SSO on BITOG (in Honda's) to not be worried.
The stuff is pretty shear stable.
Also, I've added about 4 quarts during this OCI so the TBN can not be low.
SSO is the long OCI formula, no longer available I'm afraid.
Btw.. I know it's time to change because it is turning black now.
As everybody knows: oil color is the BEST oil status indication.
Fun Mode ON!
INDYMAC: you are aware of Google?
They have this neat feature called "Images"
Well.. I copy&pasted your '71 XKE into the search field and pressed enter.
The picture I posted (or better, linked to) was on the first page of results.
There were others but I just had to use the convertable, that's obvious.
Fun Mode OFF.. maybe.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,389
Likes: 1,842
From: Long Island, New York
In my experience, all good oils get dark rather quickly. Any S2k I've drained with a few k miles comes out dark.
Dark oil will not harm the car, nor will it affect the running condition of the engine in any way. If you are having issues with the car when the oil gets dark, it is pure coincidence.
Even on the most neglected s2k, I have never found any measurable sludge. What I have found is cars that use synthetic oil have engine internals that remain spotless. When they use regular oil, a THIN coating of the beginning stages of sludge form, but never form enough of it to affect the oil color.
Bottom line, dark oil is is completely normal.
Dark oil will not harm the car, nor will it affect the running condition of the engine in any way. If you are having issues with the car when the oil gets dark, it is pure coincidence.
Even on the most neglected s2k, I have never found any measurable sludge. What I have found is cars that use synthetic oil have engine internals that remain spotless. When they use regular oil, a THIN coating of the beginning stages of sludge form, but never form enough of it to affect the oil color.
Bottom line, dark oil is is completely normal.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Steve,
Have you removed your valve cover recently? Was there any evidence of sludge or reddish brown deposits forming?
Have you ever changed the PCV valve?
Do you notice a significant oil level difference on the dipstick when you check it after a recent shutdown versus a first thing in the morning check?
Have you done a UOA since noticing the blackening of the oil?
Spitfire,
Do you know where I can find an E-Type restoration project cheap?
Jack
Have you removed your valve cover recently? Was there any evidence of sludge or reddish brown deposits forming?
Have you ever changed the PCV valve?
Do you notice a significant oil level difference on the dipstick when you check it after a recent shutdown versus a first thing in the morning check?
Have you done a UOA since noticing the blackening of the oil?
Spitfire,
Do you know where I can find an E-Type restoration project cheap?
Jack
Yes I do notice an oil level difference when I check it after a recent shut down and a morning check, but that has to do with the temperature doesn't it?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 4
From: Magnolia, TX
When you replace your valve cover gasket, take some pics of the valve train to show us. Also, pick up a few extra spark plug tube gaskets, just in case you tear some while reinstalling.
If you haven't been servicing the PCV valve, that can cause deposit build-up if it's clogged.
Yes, heat will cause oil expansion. But that's not what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if the dipstick reads considerably low after a recent shutdown (10 minutes), but looks full after sitting all night.
If you haven't been servicing the PCV valve, that can cause deposit build-up if it's clogged.
Yes, heat will cause oil expansion. But that's not what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if the dipstick reads considerably low after a recent shutdown (10 minutes), but looks full after sitting all night.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
When you replace your valve cover gasket, take some pics of the valve train to show us. Also, pick up a few extra spark plug tube gaskets, just in case you tear some while reinstalling.
If you haven't been servicing the PCV valve, that can cause deposit build-up if it's clogged.
Yes, heat will cause oil expansion. But that's not what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if the dipstick reads considerably low after a recent shutdown (10 minutes), but looks full after sitting all night.
If you haven't been servicing the PCV valve, that can cause deposit build-up if it's clogged.
Yes, heat will cause oil expansion. But that's not what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if the dipstick reads considerably low after a recent shutdown (10 minutes), but looks full after sitting all night.
I will check tomorrow how it reads 10 minutes after a shut down.
This shouldn't be effecting my car too much should it? The crack in my Valve cover gasket is very small and leaking a few milileters of oil every 1000 k's.
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