Is it OK that my engine oil is "black" after only 500 miles?

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by bikejunk

why does my engine oil(5-20)in my 2002 F150 turn black after 1,000 miles with an oil filter? it has done this for the last 200,000 miles should I be concerned?

The carbon that blackens the oil and stays in suspension, mostly C60 & C72 buckyballs, is about 0.4 microns in diameter. A typical high-end automotive oil filter catches particles down to 20 microns. The stuff flies right through the filter, the openings are 50X as big as the carbon molecules. On the positive side, it has almost no effect on the lubricity of the oil itself until the oil reaches a visible non-transparent black stage, at which point it overwhelms whatever is remaining of the initial additive package.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I agree with you Jim.

But I'm going to add fuel to the fire. Oil (i.e; Rotella, Delo 400, etc.) formulated for a Diesel really shouldn't be used in a gasoline engine.

It has too much detergent and the wrong kind. It will scrub away the 'good stuff' (oil) from your cylinders causing premature ring and cylinder wear.

"Additive Levels

Diesel engine oil has more additives per volume. The most prevalent are overbase detergent additives. This additive has several jobs, but the main ones are to neutralize acids and clean. Diesel engines create a great deal more soot and combustion byproducts. Through blow-by, these find their way into the crankcase, forcing the oil to deal with them. When you put this extra additive load in a gasoline engine, the effects can be devastating to performance. The detergent will work as it is designed and try to clean the cylinder walls. This can have an adverse effect on the seal between the rings and liner, resulting in lost compression and efficiency."

Machinery Lubrication (10/2013)

Shell says that Rotella is good for old engines.

[Bob Bidonde]

I have been running synthetic oil in my Model A without a filter for many thousands of miles, and it is generally black by 500 miles. The engine is clean internally, bearing clearances are within spec and there is absolutely no deterioration of the bearings due to chemical attack.

Using antique straight weight motor oil is ridiculous when there are so many superior modern oils to choose from.

[Terry,NJ]

I change the oil in my VW, Jetta, TDI (diesel) and start it up and it's black. New oil and it's black! Diesels do that. It's been doing that for 140K miles and it still runs great. I don't worry about it.
Terry

[johnneilson]

Deleted

[Ruth]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by garslubricants

hydraulic oil suppliers

What is this an advertisement?

[Patrick L.]

An advertisement/website for hydraulic oil on the 6 year old thread ?

[burner31]

About $40

[burner31]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

An advertisement/website for hydraulic oil on the 6 year old thread ?

Holly molly...I didn't even notice

[ETAModel]

Me either, I was enjoying this thread, thinking I was having a Deja Vous moment...Have the Mods re-name the thread "Lazarus", cause its back from the dead.