Was the oil changed during a service?

smjxm09

2 year old Mondeo diesel with 16,000 miles on the clock. Car serviced yesterday but I didn’t check the dipstick until this morning after an 8 mile journey home. I was expecting the synthetic oil to still be clear but it was already black. Is this normal or was it not changed?

rev_henry

Diesel oil is always black. Except on PSA HDi engines I believe. Which yours isn't.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

new oil doesnt turn black instantly! and it doesnt come out the tin black either.

have a look around the sump plug for diturbance.

forgotmyname

Diesels oil does get black quickly. I had to change the oil on my sisters focus 3 times before it cleared.

Not had a diesel from new so not sure how many miles it takes to get black.

I know after a change you dont see much difference.

rev_henry

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

new oil doesnt turn black instantly! and it doesnt come out the tin black either.

have a look around the sump plug for diturbance.

Sorry yes I realise that just know black oil in a diesel doesn't necessarily mean its ancient.

neilmcl

Sounds like an obvious question, but was it due to have an oil service, did the dealer/garage say that it had an oil service?

Strider590

Look for the oil filter, that HAS to be changed with the oil and you can't change it without changing the oil. See if it's new/clean..... If it's covered in grime, take a photo, then take the car back and give em hell.

colino

With the price of good synth and semi synth there's some chancers out there who will easily spin on a new (relatively cheap) filter and just make sure the oil is topped up.
Just remember though a lot of engine oils, especially diesels nowadays, have a high detergent level and the pristine new stuff, especially on high mileage schedules, will change colour remarkably quickly.

SteveJW

Strider590 wrote: »

Look for the oil filter, that HAS to be changed with the oil and you can't change it without changing the oil. See if it's new/clean..... If it's covered in grime, take a photo, then take the car back and give em hell.

Never come across an oil filter that couldn't be changed without having to change the oil, I'm sure someone will point out a couple of instances where it is impossible. Might need a small amount of oil to top up what is lost when changing the filter

gilbert_and_sullivan

Some Diesel engines, not all, turn their oil filthy in minutes, my Toyota 3 litre Diesel took around 1500miles before it started to get slightly dirty, a family BMW 320d and a 1.6 HDi turned new oil black in seconds.

There is not sure way to tell whether its been changed if you have an engine of poor design with too many traps where old oil pools, no good looking at the sump plug, some garages along with many DIYers seem to prefer using a Pela or similar suction tool and leave the grit and lumps of crud rolling around the bottom of the sump.

I think asking this question probably means you need to find another service garage as you must have bad vibes.

rxbren

depends on the service did you pay for an oil change?
as for "new filter = definate oil change" alot of cars have the oil filter higher than the sump so removing the filter will only result in a few ml of oil being lost