change in oil color vs time

5:12

5:12

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hello peeps,

not sure if anyone has actually paid attention to this, or perhaps some members have some info regarding my question.

most fresh oil i've seen are pretty much in goldish color. some are darker gold, some are lighter, all in all goldish. used oil are generally dark brown to blackish color. my question, how fast does the oil actually change color after an oil change? i understand it undergoes some chemical change due to the heat and all, but does it actually become dark brown right away as soon as you start the engine to cycle the oil after an oil change? or does this depend on the oil?

any info, thoughts, experience on this?!


5:12
 
5:12 said:
hello peeps,

not sure if anyone has actually paid attention to this, or perhaps some members have some info regarding my question.

most fresh oil i've seen are pretty much in goldish color. some are darker gold, some are lighter, all in all goldish. used oil are generally dark brown to blackish color. my question, how fast does the oil actually change color after an oil change? i understand it undergoes some chemical change due to the heat and all, but does it actually become dark brown right away as soon as you start the engine to cycle the oil after an oil change? or does this depend on the oil?

any info, thoughts, experience on this?!


5:12
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Really?
 
The colour change is pretty much entirely due to carbon contamination, i.e. byproduct of the fuel that is constantly being burned in the motor. How fast this change in colour happens depends on how well your rings are sealing and how much carbon your motor is producing.
 
Mostly from by-products of gasoline and diesel fuel combustion. Carbon is the main one but acids and oxidation plays a part.

I've changed oil on LPG and NG gensets and it still looks like new after 1000 hours, very clean burning fuels.
 
TwistedKestrel said:
The colour change is pretty much entirely due to carbon contamination, i.e. byproduct of the fuel that is constantly being burned in the motor. How fast this change in colour happens depends on how well your rings are sealing and how much carbon your motor is producing.
Click to expand...

dricked said:
After roughly 1000km my oil starts to turn colour.
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These are all correct.

To add it also depends on the previous oil that was in the motor. Its impossible to drain a motor 100% so this can also be from contamination from previous oil. Colour of oil has nothing to do with condition of the oil.

Another point, good oil will never undergo chemical changes. Its viscosity will change
 
thanks for the reply peeps. i actually did an oil change this past weekend and noticed this. which got me thinking and hence the post.

after i drained the oil, i put in fresh oil and watched it come of of the drain the same color as it came in. i poured in about 1 cup just to see. anyhow, put the drain plug back and poured the oil in. oil still looks the same on the sight glass (goldish). i started the engine to cycle the oil, checked the oil level and noticed that the oil got a little bit darker. i poured in a little more to get the level 'right' > started the engine > checked level > did two laps in the parking lot > did a final check on the sight glass and noticed that the oil color went significantly darker.

i didn't think it was normal for the oil color to change that quickly, but then again, i don't think i've paid that much attention to it after an oil change. there might be something abnormal going on. engine really really dirty?! hmmmm.. i'll prolly change the oil again this weekend or something and see.

contamination from previous oil and other factors like mileage, byproduct etc would explain the quick color change. anyhow, was wondering what others thought about this.


5:12
 
5:12 said:
thanks for the reply peeps. i actually did an oil change this past weekend and noticed this. which got me thinking and hence the post.

after i drained the oil, i put in fresh oil and watched it come of of the drain the same color as it came in. i poured in about 1 cup just to see. anyhow, put the drain plug back and poured the oil in. oil still looks the same on the sight glass (goldish). i started the engine to cycle the oil, checked the oil level and noticed that the oil got a little bit darker. i poured in a little more to get the level 'right' > started the engine > checked level > did two laps in the parking lot > did a final check on the sight glass and noticed that the oil color went significantly darker.

i didn't think it was normal for the oil color to change that quickly, but then again, i don't think i've paid that much attention to it after an oil change. there might be something abnormal going on. engine really really dirty?! hmmmm.. i'll prolly change the oil again this weekend or something and see.

contamination from previous oil and other factors like mileage, byproduct etc would explain the quick color change. anyhow, was wondering what others thought about this.


5:12
Click to expand...

If your oil changed colour so fast, its probably because the previous owner did not stick to the schedule for oil changes. Is the bike levelled when you drain the oil? Change oil from a warm motor.

Just change the oil after 2-3k kms. Use Rotella oil.
Diesel oils have a large detergent package to neutralize the combustion material from a dirty burning diesel engine. They're a good way to get rid of sludge.
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