So what color is oil supposed to be when you drain it?

[LordJezo]

Hmm?

 

[FoBoT]

black

 

[Heisenberg]

Flourescent orange.

 

[TheNinja]

I've heard people say that if you drain your oil and it is really black that you waited too long. However my true understanding is that even after 500 miles your oil is going to be pitch black and not look the same color as when you put it in.

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
black

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Staley8
I've heard people say that if you drain your oil and it is really black that you waited too long. However my true understanding is that even after 500 miles your oil is going to be pitch black and not look the same color as when you put it in.

yes, it will get fairly black fairly quickly

you can't tell the difference in color between 1000 mile oil and 3000 mile oil

maybe if you let it go 5k or 7.5k miles or something. it might start smelling different as it breaks down after too many miles

where are those car guys at?

 

[SilverTorch]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
black

easier to tell by tasting

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: SilverTorch

Originally posted by: FoBoT
black

easier to tell by tasting

:Q

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Flourescent orange.

Ha, I was gonna say green

Oil starts as a darkish brown and quickly goes fairly black. You can't really use its color to determine its condition, but I don't wait too long between my drains and the oil is always black. I find it takes maybe 2-3k (but I don't really keep a close eye on it) before it's pretty darn black in both cars, but I still change 4-5k dino on the sentra and 5-6k synthetic on the maxima. In both cases (especially the last) it's probably overkill but I err on the side of safety (3k IS overkill).

 

[5ayle]

Actually if you really wanna get technical. You don't really use oil you should use honey, better viscosity and taste. When you drain it you should flush it all out with hot water.

 

[Kadarin]

If it's the color and consistency of either a chocolate milkshake or diarrheia then you probably have a blown headgasket or a crack in the cylinder head or block (something that will allow coolant to mix with the oil). If this is the case, you have problems.

 

[RGN]

pink

 

[Eli]

The color of your oil is a very poor indicator of whether it is needs to be changed or not.

 

[BatmanNate]

If it is speckled silver you're fvcked.

 

[TechnoKid]

If its pink, then that was the auto tranny fluid. Heh...

The reason oil gets dark so quickly is because of the detergents in the oil that help keep the engine clean.

 

[squirrel dog]

dark , Not milky white.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
If it is speckled silver you're fvcked.

I use a ceramic block.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
If its pink, then that was the auto tranny fluid. Heh...

The reason oil gets dark so quickly is because of the detergents in the oil that help keep the engine clean.

:beer: