Oil is black after 500 miles

106pete · Post by **106pete** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:17 pm

I did a sumo gasket change and new oil, after around 5k the oil still looked like new. Much worth it in my opinion, also magnetic sump plug.

rrobis · Post by **rrobis** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:50 pm

running Motul 10W40 and also oils seems to be gold-ish after a couple k of km.
however previosuly put a mobil1 (premium something... can't recall exact name) and it turned black pretty fast, and was smoking more in VTEC. so I'd say just try a different oil if this makes you concerned and you cannot feel that there's anything wrong with the engine or how it works on daily basis.

as for flush - the best things i've heard are about LiquiMolly or GAT products, but not for the fuel additive, but for the thing you add to oil just before change, drive around or idle for about 30min and then change the oil and add additive.
this should be one time process if never done and improve overall lubrication of the engine and should restore the compression if it's faded over years.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:22 pm

Vtecmec wrote:Be mindful that a flush may dislodge crap that causes blockages or other issues

That was always my concern and why I stayed away from it for a long long time. However I did a lot more reading up and canvasing of views and am not so worried now. It depends on the actual engine itself. If it's very sludgy or has a big build up of crap in the sump, then it isn't a good idea. If it's just dirty, then it's fine/good to go.

K30DPC · Post by **K30DPC** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:40 pm

I'm changing my oil every 6 months. Using Motul 5W40. Oil is black every time I do this. Never bothered to check how quick is getting black, but there is always something left when you drain it and then this leftover is mixing with fresh oil making it looking burnt. I've read that if oil looks like first day then it is no good for the engine as is not cleaning it and all gunk instead of being flushed is staying inside.

And I've done around 4500 miles between last two MOTs

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 11:06 am

Thread resurrection - After a recent chat with Matt at Red R he mentioned the black oil could be due to worn piston rings?

Has anyone ever experience the oil going black very quickly due to worn piston rings? If they are worn how can you tell from normal daily driving besides a compression test.

Ranj

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 12:06 pm

It could easily be piston rings as the soot (black) is a product of combustion, and if the combustion chamber is leaking then more soot will escape into the engine. A compression test will tell point towards if you have leaky cylinders.

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 12:46 pm

Is it relatively cheap to get one done?

One the compression test is done and if everything comes back fine, then I will look into an engine flush and an oil change.

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 12:58 pm

A compression test is a 10 min job that is very easy to perform.

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 4:11 pm

Wicked...that's the starting point.

So assuming the compression is fine, then is it a matter of engine flush and an oil change?

preludemanh22 · Post by **preludemanh22** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 4:20 pm

font panic mate ive got a nice low mile engine here