discoloured oil already
Discussion
Hi all, I changed my oil last week (7007 335i) and for one reason or another I needed to take the oil filter cap off and noticed the oil was looking pretty grubby already, I used an Elf oil 5w 30 LL04 recommended on here as it happens. I've probably not even done 100 miles in the car since. I did notice when I changed it it was pretty black and that change was done less than 4000 miles ago. The car is uprated a bit so realise more frequent change is necessary. I used Castrol edge last time. Is there a fault with the engine or is this normal? I just remember with other cars the oil stays quite clean looking for a while. And before anyone asks engine was warmed and oil drained thoroughly.. Any ideas?? cheers
ok, but seemingly strange that other, BM's I've had with decent power, higher mileage and much older has stayed clean for many more miles than this, however if there is no common issue that could cause this, then no problem. I got 20 litres of oil now in the garage, so I'll change it every few months. Thinking about it I changed the oil on my old e46 M3 with 101k on the clock and it wasn't this dark after 50 miles and i had the luxury of a dipstick to check it back then
[quote=gizlaroc]Any soot on the tailpipes?
How much oil does it use between services?
Is the idle super smooth?
What sort of MPG are you getting? [/quo
Ahh, now we are getting somewhere, thinking about it I'm running a JB4 box that came with the car, I've never liked it, in fact I don't like generic maps as from previous experience and from what others tell me, they can run rich as all engines are different. Yes!! the car does have soot at the tail pipes which could suggest that, so of course running rich means running hotter?? It does use a tiny bit of oil between services but there is a very small common BMW leak around the oil filter housing I haven't got round to sorting yet.
Just a bit more info, I do around 30+ miles a week, so short journeys, so really the car is generally barely getting up to temp by the time i get home. I work 2.6 miles from home and the car is on 87k. I bought it 2 years ago at 84k ish and like I said, I changed the oil straight away with Castrol edge... The idle is not super smooth, I assume I may have an injector that may need looking at, as I have had it walnut blasted when I got the car and I think they cleaned out the oil breather hose while the manifold was off as part of the service. So other than the JB4, it should be reasonably clean. I do add fuel system cleaners from time to time and was looking at a terraclean before I got a custom remap done. (I had a terraclean service carried out on a 330i i had and made all the differnace in every way)
How much oil does it use between services?
Is the idle super smooth?
What sort of MPG are you getting? [/quo
Ahh, now we are getting somewhere, thinking about it I'm running a JB4 box that came with the car, I've never liked it, in fact I don't like generic maps as from previous experience and from what others tell me, they can run rich as all engines are different. Yes!! the car does have soot at the tail pipes which could suggest that, so of course running rich means running hotter?? It does use a tiny bit of oil between services but there is a very small common BMW leak around the oil filter housing I haven't got round to sorting yet.
Just a bit more info, I do around 30+ miles a week, so short journeys, so really the car is generally barely getting up to temp by the time i get home. I work 2.6 miles from home and the car is on 87k. I bought it 2 years ago at 84k ish and like I said, I changed the oil straight away with Castrol edge... The idle is not super smooth, I assume I may have an injector that may need looking at, as I have had it walnut blasted when I got the car and I think they cleaned out the oil breather hose while the manifold was off as part of the service. So other than the JB4, it should be reasonably clean. I do add fuel system cleaners from time to time and was looking at a terraclean before I got a custom remap done. (I had a terraclean service carried out on a 330i i had and made all the differnace in every way)
Andy70 said:
Ahh, now we are getting somewhere, thinking about it I'm running a JB4 box that came with the car, I've never liked it, in fact I don't like generic maps as from previous experience and from what others tell me, they can run rich as all engines are different. Yes!! the car does have soot at the tail pipes which could suggest that, so of course running rich means running hotter?? It does use a tiny bit of oil between services but there is a very small common BMW leak around the oil filter housing I haven't got round to sorting yet
Running rich means running cooler, it can also mean more oil contamination with fuel.I wouldn't worry about it though.
You might want to do some more frequent oil changes - but the residual oil left in the system can turn fresh oil quite dark quickly. You may also like to run an engine oil flush prior to the next oil change.
If the engine is running richer and generating more "sooty" compbustion biproducts (as a result of being in a higher state of tune as you suggest) then this will darken oil too.
How many miles are on the car?
Has the valve cover ever been off? And the sump? Inspection of these areas (especially the sump) can indicate if there is sludge hanging about and other nasty oil deposits.
If you are worried, then some frequent oil changes (maybe just a couple of hundred miles between them, new filter each time) might help.
Else the colour of oil doesnt neccesarily indicate the ability of the oil to lubricate; indeed, the oil is doing its job of suspending dirt so that is a positive. I work in synthetic chemistry - a little coloured impurity goes a long way to making a sample to material look "dirty".
If the engine is running richer and generating more "sooty" compbustion biproducts (as a result of being in a higher state of tune as you suggest) then this will darken oil too.
How many miles are on the car?
Has the valve cover ever been off? And the sump? Inspection of these areas (especially the sump) can indicate if there is sludge hanging about and other nasty oil deposits.
If you are worried, then some frequent oil changes (maybe just a couple of hundred miles between them, new filter each time) might help.
Else the colour of oil doesnt neccesarily indicate the ability of the oil to lubricate; indeed, the oil is doing its job of suspending dirt so that is a positive. I work in synthetic chemistry - a little coloured impurity goes a long way to making a sample to material look "dirty".
SAS Tom said:
Have you actually checked the oil on the dipstick?
Usually the oil where the filler cap is has been sat there for a while, especially if the rocker cover has baffles in it. Nothing to worry about.
oooh, you hit a nerve there, don't get me on the dipstick.... or lack of. That has to be the stupidest idea just for an excuse to make something electronical for no b*****d reason. I cant check the level of my oil until the engine is warm... so you have to DRIVE it forever until the readout works, no good if you got a low level is it, f*****g dumb idea!!.... But no there is no dipstick! the only time you are sure there is the correct oil in there is when you change it, from then on, its guess work. I have no idea really how much oil I have lot out of the filter housing, so I just chucked a load in as it seems to register the oil level in sections.... But it mechanical dipstick, you know how much exactly is in there, what a great idea, why change it??Usually the oil where the filler cap is has been sat there for a while, especially if the rocker cover has baffles in it. Nothing to worry about.
I'd love the luxury of a dipstick so I could check the quality now and then, but every time I undo the filter cap, loads gush out so not a good idea to do that
gizlaroc said:
I would consider getting rid of the JB4, try running some Archoil in it for a few tanks too.
And definitely don't put any 95ron in it!
It may be an ideas to pull the spark plugs out and check they are not wet, if they are smell if it is oil or fuel.
Yes i intend to ditch the box when I'm ready for my custom map and I use nothing but, always have in my cars. I live half a mile away from a tesco, so it's momentum every time. I'll look at that Archoil. I do use a good injector cleaner now and then but will do a Terraclean before I get it on the rolling road.And definitely don't put any 95ron in it!
It may be an ideas to pull the spark plugs out and check they are not wet, if they are smell if it is oil or fuel.
Glad to know it's nothing serious though as it seems. Thanks
You could send a sample of engine oil away for analysis (https://www.millersoils.co.uk/oil-analysis/) - it'd be useful if you know the exact oil you used (and perhaps could provide a sample of clean, unused oil as a reference item to compare your used oil against).
This will give you plenty of information on contamination, viscosity etc etc.
This will give you plenty of information on contamination, viscosity etc etc.
thatdude said:
You could send a sample of engine oil away for analysis (https://www.millersoils.co.uk/oil-analysis/) - it'd be useful if you know the exact oil you used (and perhaps could provide a sample of clean, unused oil as a reference item to compare your used oil against).
This will give you plenty of information on contamination, viscosity etc etc.
Good call that could be interestingThis will give you plenty of information on contamination, viscosity etc etc.
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