Does "reddish" oil indicate heat?

[Gomer03]

2005 Volvo XC 70 Turbo, 6,000 miles

Left the Volvo factory fill in for 1,000 miles, then switched to Chevron dino until 3,000, then switched to Chevron synthetic. I know, I know, not a true synthetic, but you can see my logical progression. At 6,000, switched to Mobil 1, but could not help noticing a definite reddish hue to the old Chevron synthetic. Never seen this before.

This is my first turbo car, and I know they run hot. I'm amazed hw warm this engine stays long after shutting it off - I mean hours and hours.
But, I am a conservative driver and don't often engage the turbo.

Is the reddish color of the drained oil an indication of something I should worry about? Has anyone else experienced this aberation?

 

[Dave Hess]

Dont worry about the reddish color. Stick with synthetic oil for your XC 70.

And yes, turbo engines do tend to stay warm after shut down. My sister had a 300ZX Turbo and it seemed like an oven under the hood.

 

[Pablo]

Never seen that, but for sure run a used oil analysis.

 

[o2man98]

Our old Trailblazer would turn its oil orangish-red no matter waht oil I used. Pennz, Kendell Blend, M1, or AMSOIL. All came out "stained". You could see it almost immediately after changing when wiping oil from dipstick.

 

[oilyriser]

using lots of MMT additive might make the oil red, but I'm just guessing

 

[Strjock81]

Uh oh something is bleeding in there.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

The rusty-red is the moly additive in your Chevron. Some VOAs show more moly than others. You may have received an overdose.

If you think that is off-color, try using a full bottle of VSOT with Havoline, Delo or Chevron. The dark reddish tint becomes even more visually prominent.

 

[Hirev]

Strange, I just drain the Chevron 5w30 conventional oil in my Toyota this past weekend. Mine did not have any red tint to it. Might want to do a used oil analysis to see if somthing is getting in there like excess fuel.

 

[Volvohead]

Use a full synthetic in your turbo, and keep the change intervals no longer than 5k. M1 is a good oil. A 5w30 would not be my first choice. Also let the vehicle idle for a few seconds before shut down, especially immediately after a hard run. It's only a five banger, so you're engaging the turbo more than you think.

These engine compartments stay warm for a very long time after shut down. No doubt about that. It is an attractant to rodents in cooler regions.

I wouldn't worry too much about the coloration. The heat these turbos generate can cause this, which does not appear to impair the oil's qualities. Even M1 will considerably darken up from it.