I just had my oil changed today (about 3k miles usage). As the oil was pouring out of the oil pan drain both techs who were working on it were stunned by the blackness of the oil. They couldn't stop repeating over and over, "Wow, this stuff is sure black!". Now, these guys have changed oil on diesels before but perhaps not on the new 6.7's yet. One tech has a late model diesel (I believe it's a chevy) and he made the comment that his oil stays honey colored for thousands of miles.

Is it true that these new engines with all the emissions stuff on them will blacken the oil so rapidly? I'm thinking of changing my oil every 3k miles now instead of the suggested 7.5k. If it's this full of soot at 3k miles I imagine the oil will be almost a solid at 7.5k! (NOTE: the dealer had changed the oil at 1507 miles so this is the 2nd oil change in 4500 miles).

BTW, they also found a pretty substantial oil leak at the front of the engine (could be front seal).

Oh, let me add: I was at a Dodge dealer today to investigate a "check engine" light situation I've been facing recently and they've ordered a new EGR valve after discovering a code that pointed in that direction. Wow, there sure are a lot of issues with this new truck....hope Dodge gets 'em all resolved.

 

I am going to pick mine up at the dealership for the egr valve stuck as we speak. I never had any other issues with mine. I wouldn't have known it had the check engine light not come on. I drove it three more days waiting on parts

 

Anyone with a diesel that says their oil stays honey colored for "thousands" of miles, doesn't check there oil regularly. I,ve got an '02 5.9 and the oil is black on it after 500 miles. I wouldn't worry about the black oil. Just use a good quality filter. These engines hold enough oil to last 10,000 to 12,000 miles under normal conditions. My opinion anyway.

 

my grandpa must be rollin over in his grave right now... egr valves on a diesel?? progress or regress ?? anyway the oil sould be black even after a couple hundered miles in a new truck, don't let the grease monkeys fool you with their bantering...they probably don't know a diesel from a petro rig anyway....if they where that aw-struck by perfectly GOOD oil then I would think twice about having anything serviced there!!!! If you are really conserned about it send a oil sample into blackstone labs, for about 25 bucks they test the oil for wear metal, viscosity, coolant and fuel then give you a short paragraph about the status of your engine along with suggestions (like "don't waste good oil, extend your intervals 3-4000 miles!!!").

 

I hope they don't find air bubbles in the differential fluid. That's the kiss of death right there.

 

Diesel engines=Black oil on start up...no big deal

 

My 03 kept the oil very clean. It never turned black ,just a darker brown. The 06 turns black immediately.

 

The oil in my truck will remain clean in appearance up to 3000 miles. From that point on, it starts to turn a little darker. It has never been black but once and that was 250hrs of running time or 8800 miles. I use RoSmella because it's clear going in. If I find the oil is black in the first 1000 miles, I've got a problem. Blowbye. My truck has 178,500 on it now. I change oil at 150hrs.

A friend of mine use to run Delo and changed over to RoSmella for the same reason. His oil was turning black quick. Of couse Delo is darker to start with.

My 96 cummins never had black oil in it ever.

Dave

 

I changed the oil on my 07' 5.9 and noticed the same thing, blackest oil I'd ever seen! 3-4k miles on the old oil.
I then filled with 3 gallons of Rotella and fired it up for two seconds to curculate and recheck the level.
To my surprise the oil was instantly black!! And I don't mean just a little, it looked like old oil again.
I guess it's a case of TADTS (they all do that sir).

 

I think it was around the 05 model year where the oil turned black. Had more than a few customers who chewed us up one side and down the other that I hadn't done the service on thier truck.....no lie guys.

...and on the EGR code. One of them is covered by an ECM update. Code for EGR cooler. Can't remember the Pcode exactly. Have done quite a few updates on that one.

 

If soot in your oil is causing concern, install an oil bypass filter. They do work and will help keep the oil cleaner of foreign particles.

 

On my '98,the oil stayed fairly clear for several thousand miles, even with 100K on the clock. The '06 is black as midnight almost immediately. Since soot is carbon, and graphite (a lubricant) is carbon, I guess it wont hurt it.

Dan

 

Not so!!!! The soot that gets in diesel engines oil is very small "grit", and abrasive. It will cause additional wear.

 

i use royal purple. purple going in, and black after a few hunderd miles on her.

 

IIRC it was in 2004.5 when they started to do 3-injection events and that is what causes the oil to turn black faster on all 2004.5 and newer engines. BTW, I've used Delvac and Rotella in my engine and they both turned black with in 5 minutes after you start the engine when having the oil changed