What makes the OIL get so black? I just went out and checked it b4 this morning's warm up start and damn man that **** looks black as hell, I just changed it not even 1500 miles ago, I did go a lil over last time but still why is my OIL always so black, cant be good can it? I got 78k on my Z and I use maxlife 10w30.... is it ok, part of how the oil is or what? Im really curious here, does the intake leak have something to do with it?

 

There are a few factors which turn an oil black. Sometimes when you switch brands, you end up with an oil that cleans better, so on the first interval or two you'll notice it blackens up quicker. It can also be due to more blowby getting into the oil, sometimes this shows up more in extreme cold weather.

I don't think the intake leak will affect it, as I have the intake leak on my car and my oil doesn't turn all that dark.

 

Dirt

 

so what can i do to get this oil to be more clean looking at least or is it ok as long as im changing it when im supposed to?

 

think of it this way, the dirt is trapped (in suspension) in your oil. that sure beats a lot of other places it could be. basically the oil is just doing its job.

 

I had the same question before. I have a 93 w/ 40K and I change the Mobile 1 5W30 every 2K at most. The first few times I thought that it was dirt but it continues to this day. I have even tried to change it out at 1K and it's still BLACK. I assume since it's black it is doing it's job until I learn otherwise.

 

Dark oil does not indicate the need for an oil change. The way modern detergent motor oil works is that minute particles of soot are suspended in the oil. These minute particles pose no danger to your engine, but they cause the oil to darken. A non-detergent oil would stay clearer than a detergent oil because all the soot would be left on the internal engine parts and would create sludge. If you never changed your oil, eventually the oil would no longer be able to suspend any more particles in the oil and sludge would form. Fortunately, by following the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval, you are changing your oil long before the oil has become saturated. Remember, a good oil should get dirty as it does it's work cleaning out the engine. The dispersant should stop all the gunk from depositing in the oil pan.

 

The black in oil is usually carbon from gas, especially when mixtures are too rich. This was really common on cars with carburetors. Generally they run better rich so that is how you notice, the oil turns black fast. I'd run a scan to see what the a/f ratios were.

 

maybe its running rich with the cut out open, im kinda dumb with cars, hands on, i can fix anything but talking terms u lose me....