Suspicious main dealer oil service

[dasherdiablo1]

I've got another thread going about a nightmare service I've had this week by my local dealer.
Problem is I've just checked the dipstick and found the oil is black. The car has done 6 miles since the service, it's a 120D, is this common with diesels or have they pulled a fast one? I know with petrol engines it would be lovely and honey coloured but I'm a bit of a novice with the oil burners.

Cheers in advance!

[jamoor]

It's common with diesels.

[E30M3SE]

jamoor said:

It's common with diesels.

Yes, but no after 6 miles on fresh oil, in my experience.

[Neil.D]

It only takes a small amount of old oil to discolour the new.

[E30M3SE]

Neil.D said:

It only takes a small amount of old oil to discolour the new.

Yes. Probably did not allow all of the old oil to drain out.

[jamoor]

E30M3SE said:

jamoor said:

It's common with diesels.

Yes, but no after 6 miles on fresh oil, in my experience.

IME it's black pretty much straight after.

[dasherdiablo1]

So the consensus is it is acceptable? I always thought it was good practice to drain thoroughly. I've never seen it before.
Also just went to Costco and saw exactly the same oil that they are supposed to gave used for 24.99 for 4 litres!

[jamoor]

dasherdiablo1 said:

So the consensus is it is acceptable? I always thought it was good practice to drain thoroughly. I've never seen it before.
Also just went to Costco and saw exactly the same oil that they are supposed to gave used for 24.99 for 4 litres!

Yes, I always buy my oil from Costco for £19.99+VAT for four litres, it's mobil1 0w40, and give it to my indy who services it.


I would say it's acceptable for it to be black already.

[markbmw]

Mark the sump plug and oil filter before it goes in next time so you can check they've been removed.

[eliot]

markbmw said:

Mark the sump plug and oil filter before it goes in next time so you can check they've been removed.

Assuming they remove the sump plug - it may get sucked out the dipstick.

[StuB]

They vacuum the oil out of the dipstick, which always leaves some old cr@p in the sump and you can provide your own oil for sercice at much less cost than they charge.

You might also ask then NOT to top up your screen wash as well if you're a tightass.

[Neil.D]

A couple of good points there. If you do not request the additional 'inspection' with your oil service they will only drain the oil via the dipstick tube. That of course would be done by the 16yo oik working there.
If you do have the inspection the car will get up on the ramps and you will have your brakes and tyres depths in MM's on a sheet of papaer. Great.

...and fill your windscreen washer fluid to MAX just before going in and they should leave the sealed bottle in the car.

[mrmr96]

Not being funny, but I feel like the OP is questioning whether or not his oil was changed.

How about next time the oil needs changind, do it yourself, or watch it being done, then drive 6 miles, then look at the dipstick. Compare that result with the one observed today.

I genuinely suspect that it's fine.

[8Tech]

Even the slightest amount of old oil in the engine will quickly turn the oil black, and starting it after changing the oil to check the level on the dipstick is often enough to contaminate the new oil, let alone drive it out the workshop into the car park.

[NickXX]

The oil on my 330d went black after 10 miles after an Inspection II. I did the oil myself between services and the same thing happened.