Why is my oil still midnight black??

[Simplicity]

I recently have been servicing my bus. I drained the oil pan and the HPOP reservoir. I added back in 4.25 gallons of clear beautiful oil.

I have driven it maybe 7 miles, mostly around my neighborhood, but once a good 5 miles including freeway.

I went to check the level and boom...black as a moonless night in the country.

I get it's not going to drain every bit, but considering how much I put back in, I was expecting a lot lighter color.

New spin on filter too.

What am I not understanding here?

Thanks.

[Ronnie]

You would have to change it a number of times to get it kind of clear, and then it would not stay that way for long. Soot turns it black.

[Mountain Gnome]

welcome to diesels.


My old pathfinder's 3.3L V6 stayed clearish after 3K-5K miles between oil changes. Diesels will be black instantly.

[cadillackid]

my 444E oil isnt jet black right after I change it. and I dont drain my HPOP.. I suspect it was quite neglected befoire you got it? or maybe you changed the oil when it was dead cold so a lot sticks to the sides of the pan? mine takes alnost gallons.. maybe a quart and a half less and I dont drain the HPOP..


I drive it before I change the oil.. let it sit about 30 minutes then start the process. . and I let the oil plug out while im changing the filter and usually leave it out for 10-15 minutes so the oil drizzles out..

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

my 444E oil isnt jet black right after I change it. and I dont drain my HPOP.. I suspect it was quite neglected befoire you got it? or maybe you changed the oil when it was dead cold so a lot sticks to the sides of the pan? mine takes alnost gallons.. maybe a quart and a half less and I dont drain the HPOP..


I drive it before I change the oil.. let it sit about 30 minutes then start the process. . and I let the oil plug out while im changing the filter and usually leave it out for 10-15 minutes so the oil drizzles out..

This is my first time servicing a diesel, so I guess my expectations were based on all the car oil changes I've done.

I did drive it and warm it up before I change the oil, so I'm not sure what to say about that. I also do not know when the last time the oil was changed, but it was owned by a private school and so maybe they didn't maintain his well as a should have.

I'm going to take a sample and send it off to get tested.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Mountain Gnome]

I was thinking of how I just dumped my "freshly" changed oil ( < 1000 miles, maybe < 500 miles) on my driveway and my shoe while manhandling my air compressor. For as black as it was, it didn't stain my shoe or driveway. Like it really wasn't that "sooty".