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Good news. Mine is almost as dark.
It surprised the daylights out of me as well.
On all my other cars, none of which are DI, it takes thousands of miles to get oil that loaded.
I learned a big lesson thanks to you. Anyone who thinks that a DI engine behaves the same as any other engine is in for a lesson.
Wow....very interesting indeed! Thank you so much for taking the time to pull a sample. Yes, we both have learned something. Like you, this is my first engine with a DI system. I am going to try and find that Lubegard.
Regardless, I will change my current oil & filter and then pull another sample to share with the group. So more to come! I'll see if I can't step up my game from the old beer mug to something as elegant as your martini glass for my next presentation! Ha, ha
Have any of you noticed that the tailpipe is like diesel too. Never seen anything get so black so quickly.
My tail pipes don't get to black even after a 2 hr ride at highway speeds. Then again I usually wipe them after a drive so they are pretty clean. If you want to see black pipes my kids Audi A4 turned black after a 50 mile drive. Every time I see the car I can't stand to look at the pipes. Next time you are out an about just look at Audi's or BMW and their pipes are black.
Well, the new batch of Ravenol Oil arrived today. I just completed the oil and filter change. My oil level is spot on so I guess it's time to put another 200 miles or so on this Beauty and then pull another sample! So... Stay Tuned!
A couple of things to note:
After the oil change today - on initial start up; with the bonnet open and plastic engine cover removed, the valve lifters were noticeably quieter than the other oil change a few weeks back! It's not like they were wildly crazy loud last time....but noticeable quieter this time. I will take that as a possible good sign.
I pulled the service history on the car. Under the 1st owner the oil was changed 3 times at the dealership. The last oil change was @ 19,650 miles in May 2017. The 2nd owner never changed the oil from what I can tell. That means that the car went approximately 7,650 miles in 2 years (May 2017 - Mar 2019) before I changed the oil. Just a little bit of history and data, because I like data and benchmarks!
After performing an oil change for my 2nd time I can definitely say that you can change the oil out on these cars in less than 15 - 20 mins. It really is not complicated....sounds like it from the internet and whatnot, but really not rocket science at all. Just pay attention to what you are doing.
Get 3 bottles, you will be able to do 2 fluid changes. They have 10% off coupon for the next 2 day on diff oil.
Queen and Country - Thank you again! I just ordered up 3 bottles.
Looking into changing the Diff fluid was definitely on my list. Just hadn't gotten there yet. But, I look forward to the task. Again, much appreciated!
Well, I reached the 200 mile mark after the newest oil change and I pulled a new sample. The new sample was not as dark. I would say that it was about 45% lighter in color than the last oil change. It is a bit hard to make out in the pictures, but looking at it in different lighting it definitely has cleared up. So, I will take that as a positive. I also changed out the oil filter. I'll probably run this batch of oil till around 700 - 1K miles then change and pull a new sample. I'm also going to send this recent sample of oil out to get analysed. I am not calling it paranoia, more just curiosity...it's how my brain works!
Previous oil sample is on the left, current sample on the right.
Keep in mind, oil color is very rough and inaccurate estimate of oil condition. If you want any kind of meaningful metric send it out for analysis.
Trying to compare shades of oil as a metric for contaminants is out there with zodiac signs. Is your engine oil Aries and what does it mean?
Yep, all true statements for sure. I did send a sample out for analysis. Not really as a peace of mind, more so just for my own curiosity. I've never had an oil analysis done on any of my vehicles. So, we will see what it comes back with.
The oil analysis is a great way to get real peace of mind.
I get my oil Blackstone Lab tested every oil change. Its a good way to catch problems before they become costly. Also you will know how much of the oils additive package is still at work.
On other cars Ive had Ive sent tranny, diff and engine oil to blackstone and never had any red flags.
One I was surprised at was my old x100 which ran on lpg/propane, the oil stayed amber for at least the year, I think as the fuel burnt cleaner?
On that and many other cars my regime before an change was was:
1) Drop some auto-rx in 1000 miles before
2) drain oil and fill and run with any spec oil I had laying around for 20 mins adding an oil flush/cleaner to that.
3) Drain and add the correct spec oil.
Dunno if my 5.0 direct injection would benefit from the same treatment?
Bought it, had it serviced. With oil change. Tranny oil and Diff oil also changed. Sparks changed on my request. Battery changed on my request, too, was 5 years old.
Drove 3.000 km with it. Oil looks CLEAN and very light coloured. Nearly new!
Still, will let change engine oil and filter in spring. Itīs for insurance.
7 ltrs oil at letīs say, 8 / ltr is 56 and labour cost? Thatīs cheap insurance for long engine life.
I think, if a previous owner saved on oil changes, you should change oil more often. Things will clear up.
IMO on a newly bought car you should invest a little more in servicing. Who knows, what REALLY was done to the car by what butcher?
I do not think of my XK convertible as my money box. Itīs my anti depressivum!
04-24-2019, 12:49 PM
