Engine Oil- should it be black when fresh?

mistry_2

Hi,

Just got my car back after a service, it's a lubrication service which includes changing the oil. I checked the dipstick today and found the oil to be black and quite thin.

Before I go and rant at the garage about the oil not being changed. does fresh oil come in black? I always thought it to be clear.

I got a little suspicous after they tried to tell me I needed a cambelt change even though the log book showed one being changed 6 months/5k miles ago, and marked my log book for needing another service in 6 months.

Thanks in advance, and I hope this is posted in the right place.

navig8r

mistry wrote: »

Hi,

Just got my car back after a service, it's a lubrication service which includes changing the oil. I checked the dipstick today and found the oil to be black and quite thin.

Before I go and rant at the garage about the oil not being changed. does fresh oil come in black? I always thought it to be clear.

I got a little suspicous after they tried to tell me I needed a cambelt change even though the log book showed one being changed 6 months/5k miles ago, and marked my log book for needing another service in 6 months.

Thanks in advance, and I hope this is posted in the right place.

Petrol or Diesel?

Not all oil is drained during an oil change as a certain amount hangs around the galleries etc,this then discolours the new to a certain extent when the engine is started..this is more noticable in a diesel so they may have changed it.have a look around the sump drain plug for signs of being disturbed and oil around it indicating that it had been undone.One test is to wipe the dipstick with a tissue and see how much it stains it but this is down to experience.

Dave

mistry_2

it is a diesel.

I did rub a little between my fingers to see if was gritty and to be fair, it felt pretty smooth.

I'm not sure what I'd be looking for with a tissue, but I'll give it a go.

onejontwo

If it's had a lube service the best indication is to have a look at the oil filter, which if it has been serviced by any reputable garage would have been replaced and should appear brand new!

greyteam1959

If the oil has been changed it should be fairly light in colour not jet black.
Like the OP says get a tissue and dip the oil if it on the dark side I might be a bit suspicious.
Also have a look at the oil filter does it look new ??
Is there any evidence of oil on the engine where they have spilt it taking off the old filter ???
Re the cam belt change....perhaps it was changed early by the previous owner if there was one ??
Thing is tho you will have a big problem proving something like this
If you think you have been conned go to another garage next time.

greyteam1959

onejontwo beat me to the filter bit !!!!!!!

onejontwo

It's ok Merv, you can have the next one!!

olly300

Servicing intervals depend on car model and mileage/months.

Some manufacturers change their servicing intervals when a potentially serious fault occurs at a particular mileage i.e. instead of 12K/year they make a service every 7k/6 months. This also applies to the cambelt i.e. breaks start occurring at 40,000 instead of 60,000 as original stated.

Seriously find another garage if you think they are telling you rubbish.

Nile

Hello mistry

I'll move your thread to the 'Motoring & Public Transport' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

northern_munky

You have nothing to worry about, that's perfectly normal in diesel engines. In some diesels the new oil will turn black almost as soon as the key is turned.

anewman

Next time you get the oil changed you can go somewhere that will add a flushing agent. What this does is suspends all the sludge in the oil and supposedly helps clean the inside of the engine. Then more of the black stuff will go out of the sump. Other option is to have the sump plate removed (during an oil change) and cleaned out but unless you're diy'ing it chances are a garage would charge alot for doing this. You would also most likely need to replace the sump gasket.