Engine Oil

[phmezz]

I bought a '93 IDI F250 from my neighbor late last summer. This is my first diesel. When I bought it the guy said he had just changed the oil and he had the date written on the filter. I've put about 500 miles on it since then. I checked the oil this morning and it is dark black. This seems a bit unusual for so few miles. Is this typical for a diesel?

I guess I'll go ahead and change the oil and see how long it takes to turn black. Maybe the prior owner really didn't change the oil like he said.

 

[pickupman]

The oil pretty much goes black right away, it's nothing to worry about.

 

[FarmerFrank]

When I change the oil in my truck I start it, shut it off after a minute and recheck it. It will already be black when I pull the dipstick. Diesels are very dirty inside (most of them).

 

[phmezz]

Thanks. No big deal then. Seemed a little odd as my toyota 4runner with 200,000 miles still has pretty clean oil after 3000 miles.

 

[SkipBurney]

Big big big difference between gas and diesel

 

[theguruat12]

Yep mine takes around 50-100 miles or so but it too goes coal black.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Unless you give it the AutoRX treatment, it will always be like that. AutoRX really cleans out the engine, but slowly so that big chunks don't break off and mix up in the pan. I found out using that, a good cleaning will last about 10 - 15K miles.

 

[88fordidi]

My oils black even before I start it.. these trucks dirty oil very quick, and it doesn't really clean out. (and that's with an engine that was just rebuilt)

 

[chris142]

Yep normal and its nasty. It will stain anything it gets on.this is why we must use a diesel oil and not your regular gas engine oil. The gas engine oil would be too loaded with contaminants to lube properly.

 

[icanfixall]

Common issue with our 21 1.2 to 1 compression ratio. That black stuff is soot and dirt from combustion. Not a real issue.