Engine Oil Colour Forums

voyager

I took delivery of my first motorhome three months ago, a Fiat Ducato based CI Carioca 5, and it is now the greatest love in my life (the wife doesn't count anymore, she filed for divorce this week!).

It is the first diesel powered vehicle I have owned, and it was given (or was it??) an after-sales service that included an engine oil change. However after only 1000miles of driving, the oil colour is very black, whereas at this stage after a service with a petrol engine, the oil is still usually the greeny-blue colour.

Can anyone advise if the black oil is normal for a diesel, or should I suspect that it wasn't changed by the dealer?

Voyager

Mat7

Yes it is quite normal for a diesel, and even more normal if they used a synthetic oil. (as they ofter do in modern diesel engines.)

cheers for now
Matt Very Happy

MandyandDave · Moderator

Hi Voyager, agree with Matt, In general, the colour of an oil will not have any affect on its lubrication ability or whether or not the oil is suitable for continued use. Most oil and especially diesel engine oil will turn black in the first few hours of operation due to contaminates generated by the combustion process and soot particles.

Regards M&D Smile

jabber

Hello Voyager,

Agree with everything said, I used to change my own oil on previous diesel cars and Land Rover, so i know it was done and more frequently than the book.

But the oil was black in no time at all due to combustion contaminants, do not worry about it.

I still recommend for infrequent usage or only short runs changing the oil more frequently.

Worth looking at this site

Paulway

Hi Jabber
I endorse Millars XFE as well, seems a very good oil.
Tell me have you changed your gearbox oil at all as ours is due for change and I was considering using Millars TRX gearbox oil, but was concerned about the change from what is in there (I do not know but presumably what came from Peugaot and probably Hypoid) to Millars semi synthetic that they list for use in the Boxer in their litrature.
It looks like it does not fully drain the box and diff and I wondered if it will be aproblem if any mixed.
Thanks in advance.

jabber

Hello Paulway,

Worth ringing Millers if you want to get a definitive answer about their product, but if that is what they recommend I would have no concern about using it.

Some of the oil companies really do go to a great deal of trouble to get the right additives, with gearbox oils, there are a number of important parameters, not just the oils but additives which keep the seals supple for example.

Peter Smith on the

voyager

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. I can now sleep more easily at night.

Voyager