Black oil

wayne71 · 01-09-2012, 09:40 AM

Sorry for the daft question but I had an oil change at the dealers around a month ago, I've done around 600 miles since. Yesterday whilst doing my monthly basic check of fluid levels etc I noticed the oil was completley black.

Is this normal in a diesel car such a relatively short time after an oil change?

xenon · 01-09-2012, 09:42 AM

I'd say so.

craig2859 · 01-09-2012, 10:07 AM

As long as the viscosity of the oil is ok still I would presume its fine

creepy coupe · 01-09-2012, 10:18 AM

Engine oil in soot chuckers goes black almost immediately. I changed the oil in the wifes diesel recently and checking the level on the stick after the engine had run for a few minutes, it looked lik I'd not changed it.And th engine had only coverd 13k in total.

wayne71 · 01-09-2012, 12:12 PM

Cheers guys, it's my first diesel so was a little surprised.

EssexIan · 01-10-2012, 01:07 PM

Shocked me the first time I checked after an oil change too but it seems that black oil in diesels is perfectly normal!

I notice you have a 335d and don't appear to be doing many miles, worth checking regularly that you are not making oil! Mine does slowly and as far as I can make out it is because the DPF is not getting chance to regen fully doing short journeys and so so the sump ends up with some diesel in it. (Haven't figured out why but this was an explanation I was given, may be bollocks) This seems to be related to the engine running cold, hopefuly changing both thermostats soon will help however I have changied the oil in mine after 8k miles or so to be safe.

Ian

01-09-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
wayne71 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Black oil Sorry for the daft question but I had an oil change at the dealers around a month ago, I've done around 600 miles since. Yesterday whilst doing my monthly basic check of fluid levels etc I noticed the oil was completley black. Is this normal in a diesel car such a relatively short time after an oil change?
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01-09-2012, 09:42 AM	#2
xenon Major General 1422 Rep 8,114 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	I'd say so. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-09-2012, 10:07 AM	#3
craig2859 Black .... all the way !! 57 Rep 601 Posts Drives: [Previous]2006 330d M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK-Dorset iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 E90 330d M-Sport [0.00]	As long as the viscosity of the oil is ok still I would presume its fine
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01-09-2012, 10:18 AM	#4
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1870 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Engine oil in soot chuckers goes black almost immediately. I changed the oil in the wifes diesel recently and checking the level on the stick after the engine had run for a few minutes, it looked lik I'd not changed it.And th engine had only coverd 13k in total.
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01-09-2012, 12:12 PM	#5
wayne71 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Cheers guys, it's my first diesel so was a little surprised.
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01-10-2012, 01:07 PM	#6
EssexIan Private First Class 1 Rep 115 Posts Drives: E91 335d MSport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunny Essex iTrader: (0)	Shocked me the first time I checked after an oil change too but it seems that black oil in diesels is perfectly normal! I notice you have a 335d and don't appear to be doing many miles, worth checking regularly that you are not making oil! Mine does slowly and as far as I can make out it is because the DPF is not getting chance to regen fully doing short journeys and so so the sump ends up with some diesel in it. (Haven't figured out why but this was an explanation I was given, may be bollocks) This seems to be related to the engine running cold, hopefuly changing both thermostats soon will help however I have changied the oil in mine after 8k miles or so to be safe. Ian
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