I always like to check the oil level after driving home from a service - I'm used to the golden colour oil on the dipstick of a petrol car. Now I've got a diesel I realise the new oil colour will look a bit blacker after an oil change ... but how black? Dipstick residue after today's 24k change doesn't look *that* different from the residue before the service. Is this just how it is, or should I be paranoid that a garage in a hurry might not drain the old stuff properly? The filter looks new so I suppose most of the old stuff must have come out. Thanks for any views. Paul
Oil colour after service - Diesel Engine
Jan 10, 2005
7 Replies
It's perfectly normal for new oil in a diesel engine to look black even after one short drive.
Kev
The filter looks new so I suppose most of
True, shows it's doing it's stuff-keeping the mucky stuff in suspension. Why it's so important to use top grade oil and service as per the book (or even more so) with a diesel. DaveK.
ditto, quite normal.
Regards. Mark.(AKA, Mr.Nice.)
diesels get dirty oil from the off, so it's not as if it's not been round the system it's the same for engine oil in a petrol car change the oil as many times as you like and it'll still be dirty as soon as it's been round a few times because it picks up the old oily crap that's been sitting in the galleries and stuff
Think mine is black again as soon as it's started.....
(well almost) After forty miles - ie work and back it's like midnight in a mineshaft.
Quite normal and garages are perfectly accustomed to receiving enquiries, if not complaints, about this on a regular basis from new diesel car owners. Colour is not an indication of much at all.
Huw
Thanks a lot for that - I'm reassured and enlightened! Paul
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