Such a dumb question

This really is a dumb question. :5bblush5: I checked my oil level today and the oil on the dipstick was black which is why I am having to say 'should it be black ?
I am sure every time I have checked engine oil previously the oil is varying shades of light brownish. I had a full service, including oil change, around 1200 miles ago. So I'm sure it shouldn't be black.
Am I just having a senior moment or is the fact it is so dark an indicator of something not right?

its black coz its workin' proppa.

The Mad Hat Man said:

its black coz its workin' proppa.

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careful your get banned for that remark

The Mad Hat Man said:

its black coz its workin' proppa.

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Seriously? I always was led to believe black means overdue for a change

robint said:

careful your get banned for that remark

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and there was me taking his comment in pure innocence

if it is diesel, the oil goes black very quickly in diesels.

Unless the engine is flushed at service there will always be some black there, or if the oil filter hasn't been changed this would make it go black and tbh if you change the oil without changing you might aswell not bother

Changing the filter *

I thought the same mr OP, had oil and filter change done on my TD6 last year, and about 500 miles later it was black already, I panicked, spent few hrs online them slept easy after the replies I got

rodntod said:

if it is diesel, the oil goes black very quickly in diesels.

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Ah ok. This is my first 'own' diesel, only had work ones previously and been a long time since I had to check oil on one. I've had petrol engines privately, so that might be the reason I was expecting a lighter shade, this soon after the service. 1200 miles didn't seem much for it to be jet black.

200tdi ayre said:

Unless the engine is flushed at service there will always be some black there, or if the oil filter hasn't been changed this would make it go black and tbh if you change the oil without changing you might aswell not bother

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Everything was changed including the filter.

mrblonde said:

I thought the same mr OP, had oil and filter change done on my TD6 last year, and about 500 miles later it was black already, I panicked, spent few hrs online them slept easy after the replies I got

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Thanks. Glad I'm not the only one who wondered about it.

Come on ! Honestly!
It's Xmas. Not April fools.
Of course it's Black.

Thats Bollocks said:

Come on ! Honestly!
It's Xmas. Not April fools.
Of course it's Black.

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Yep seems like the others, who replied, thought that too. Thanks though.

gold rover said:

Ah ok. This is my first 'own' diesel, only had work ones previously and been a long time since I had to check oil on one. I've had petrol engines privately, so that might be the reason I was expecting a lighter shade, this soon after the service. 1200 miles didn't seem much for it to be jet black.




Everything was changed including the filter.

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Gurd yeah diesels do black up a lot quicker than petrols as more carbon is produced which finds its way into the oil

If you want an easy ball-park test of the quality of your oil try pinching a dribble from the dipstick between your fingers and thumb then try the old oil you took out. I think you'll find it quite different!

200tdi ayre said:

Gurd yeah diesels do black up a lot quicker than petrols as more carbon is produced which finds its way into the oil

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Is that some foreign English word 'gurd'? Thanks for the info ref carbon. I did feel a bit dumb asking but don't feel so bad now that I know that there is a definite difference between them.

Grrrrrr said:

If you want an easy ball-park test of the quality of your oil try pinching a dribble from the dipstick between your fingers and thumb then try the old oil you took out. I think you'll find it quite different!

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Thanks for the tip. I don't have the old stuff but I take it you mean the dipstick stuff at the moment will be silky , whereas when due for a change it'll have a thicker/coarser texture?

Good oil is so slippy you cannot feel your fingertips. When it is knackered it is almost like water and you can feel your fingertips easily.

gold rover said:

Is that some foreign English word 'gurd'? Thanks for the info ref carbon. I did feel a bit dumb asking but don't feel so bad now that I know that there is a definite difference between them.



Thanks for the tip. I don't have the old stuff but I take it you mean the dipstick stuff at the moment will be silky , whereas when due for a change it'll have a thicker/coarser texture?

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The carbon is why diesels smoke black and the exhausts are black on the inside where as petrols burn more cleanly and so less solid carbon

Thanks guys. Every day is a school day

gold rover said:

Thanks guys. Every day is a school day

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And LPG'd engines are clean as a whislte and the oil remains fairly straw coloured due to LPG burning very cleanly.