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VeryTangled · 08-24-2017, 08:03 AM

I'm with Frank here, modern detergent oils suspend contaminants so they do not settle on engine parts and form sludge. So in a way black means it's doing it's job. I'm not touching the viscosity topic though.

This is from the Valvoline page Frank references...

Myth: You can tell the condition of an oil by its look, smell and color. If it turns dark or goes black quickly, it’s not good.

Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth. If an oil is doing its job cleaning the engine, then it will be dirty when it is drained. In the case of diesel engines, the oil may look dirty within a few hours of operation. This indicates that the motor oil is keeping soot, dirt and other combustion contaminants in suspension. These will then be carried to the filter or removed from the crankcase when the oil and filter are changed. Good quality motor oils are formulated to hold these contaminants in suspension until the oil is drained when the oil and filter are changed.

This page has interesting thoughts about modern vehicles... Motor oil myths and facts.
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Introduction

THE way to know what is going on is to do an oil analysis. Here's a place I found with google that will do one for $28... https://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

08-24-2017, 08:03 AM	#9
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,395	Re: Black oil quick I'm with Frank here, modern detergent oils suspend contaminants so they do not settle on engine parts and form sludge. So in a way black means it's doing it's job. I'm not touching the viscosity topic though. This is from the Valvoline page Frank references... Myth: You can tell the condition of an oil by its look, smell and color. If it turns dark or goes black quickly, it’s not good. Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth. If an oil is doing its job cleaning the engine, then it will be dirty when it is drained. In the case of diesel engines, the oil may look dirty within a few hours of operation. This indicates that the motor oil is keeping soot, dirt and other combustion contaminants in suspension. These will then be carried to the filter or removed from the crankcase when the oil and filter are changed. Good quality motor oils are formulated to hold these contaminants in suspension until the oil is drained when the oil and filter are changed. This page has interesting thoughts about modern vehicles... Motor oil myths and facts. http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Introduction THE way to know what is going on is to do an oil analysis. Here's a place I found with google that will do one for $28... https://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum? Last edited by VeryTangled; 08-24-2017 at 08:09 AM.