Oil Discoloration?

[ms33]

I did an oil change today, went out for a small run, about 20mls. Checked the oil when I got back and it's already quite black.

The cars always done this after a oil change (3000mls), no problems with the engine, runs really sweet.

Any of you guys get the same?

[Stock e-Tune]

It's fairly normal for the engine's piston rings and/or valve guides to show signs of wear this way.

The oil becomes contaminated by combustion fumes slipping past the rings..

If it's not consuming excessive amounts of oil it is probably not detrimental.

If the valves/valve stem seals are worn often a slight trail of black smoke can be seen when decelerating (down a hill or during down gearing).

If the rings are worn, a little more than normal oil consumption would be noticed. The engine will use a small amount of oil as per normal and even more when raced for long periods.

The higher the boost, often the faster the contamination due to higher cylinder pressures.

Sime

[mystery_kid]

you should be running more oil than 3 litres, just by the way

[zebra]

Oil is designed to turn black...has detergent in it to remove carbon deposits

[Victory]

It really comes down to what sort of oil you are using.

Some oils are very detergent in nature and go black almost straight away (oils in diesel engins for example) other oils like fully synthetic ones behave differently.

I have found that Motul Chrono comes out of my engines after 5,000km looking very clean and not much different to when it went in.

What type of oil are you using?

[ms33]

I've always used Mobil 1 15w/50, but struggled to get hold of it, so this time I used Gulf Competition 15w-50 racing engine (ester) oil.

I've owned the car for 3 yrs now and it never uses any oil between changes, or smokes at all.

[Dobz]

If your fuel mixtures are a bit on the rich side your oil will turn black a lot quicker. The excessive unburt fuel that get's past the rings under boost and the carbon that gets scrubbed off the cylinder walls is what does it.

[JonnoHR31]

you should be running more oil than 3 litres, just by the way

he means 3000 miles not 3 litres.

as said above, black oil just means its picking up carbon deposits, aslong as everything else is fine dont worry about it.

[ms33]

Thanks for the input guys, most appreciated .