drained engine oil is red.

[martse]

I have a question, has anyone encountered this before?

TU5JP (NFU) engine, I change the oil regularly every 10,000 km including the filter. I use Total Quartz 9000 5W-40.

It has happened to me several times that the drained oil is not the classic black, but has a distinct reddish-brown to reddish color (see photo). When I drained the oil and a little of it got on my hand, it almost looked like I had blood on my hands.

I wondered if someone before me had used some kind of oil additive (some are red) and since a small amount of old oil always remains in the sump, it could also color the new one. But I'm not sure.

What surprised me the most - after the change, I poured new oil, started the engine only for a moment to check the level and after this short run, the new oil on the dipstick was clearly reddish.

On other cars I've serviced, new oil usually stays light amber for a long time after starting, so I'm surprised.

Has anyone experienced this with a TU5JP/NFU engine? Is this color normal, or could it indicate an additive, oil reaction, or other problem?
Something always remains in the oil pan, can it cause contamination?


Thanks for all the experiences.

 

[Delta]

While not Euro's, I have a couple turbocharged direct injected vehicles that turn the used oil slightly red while draining. Not this red, but it's definitely noticeable.

 

[EvoMan]

What color is the new oil?

 

[CANADADIY]

When I recently drained the oil from our 2026 XC40 it had a noticeable red hue. It was oil I put in myself a few thousand kms before. Castrol Euro Pro V 0W20 I got from the dealer. I don’t remember it having a red tinge when I poured it in.

 

[crashz]

The very first photo looks really red! I thought it might have been a mistaken drain of transmission fluid. But the other two photos look pretty familiar. I often see that color on my gas engine oils changes.

 

[kschachn]

The very first photo looks really red! I thought it might have been a mistaken drain of transmission fluid. But the other two photos look pretty familiar. I often see that color on my gas engine oils changes.

Yeah not much of an assurance that this is in fact motor oil.

 

[kschachn]

Those are your pictures?

How many forums have you posted this to?

 

[JavierH19]

This gets discussed every now and then. Some additive packs make the oil turn red. I think the last was a ford owner running mobil 1.

 

[sunroof]

I had a 3800 buick with a bad vacuum modulator that would dump transmission fluid into the crankcase.

Used VRP can also have a red hue.

 

[demarpaint]

It looks to me like someone drained the transmission, or the sump might have been filled mistakenly with ATF. I'd get a UOA, which might give some insight as to what might have gone on.

 

[Kira]

TU5JP (NFU) engine? what vehicle ?

 

[ka9mnx]

M1 comes out of my vehicles red. Except the 4Runner if I've left it in too long.

 

[AZjeff]

TU5JP (NFU) engine? what vehicle ?

Exactly. Shouldn't have to Google to learn what a guy is asking for help on. (Peugeot NFT-TU5JP Engine 1996-2003)

 

[Trav]

Excessive varnish can do that, I have seen it at times with some oils like Mobil 1 0w40.

 

[charbaby]

My 2015 Altima 2.5 SV was RED like yours.

 

[Bailes1992]

My Wife had a 2014 Polo with a 1.2 3 cylinder petrol engine that always turned the oil red.

 

[demarpaint]

Excessive varnish can do that, I have seen it at times with some oils like Mobil 1 0w40.

Now I remember hearing that. That's good news for me, I guess I don't have much varnish. That second picture looks just like ATF.

 

[Mainia]

I had that tinge of red when I was running Amsoil SS for 2-3 oil changes. The Amsoil was one of the first I used after break-in so technically there should of been no varnish at that point,in the new engines early life. Then I switched brands and never saw it again on any other oil I have ran. Every oil dump on my car at 3,000 miles is black, with the exception of the reddish Amsoil SS and Valvoline Restore and Protect that comes out transparent brown, with no hint of reddish in the brown.

 

[martse]

Yes, these are my photos.

It is definitely the engine oil drained from my engine, not ATF or any other fluid.

Vehicle: Citroën Berlingo 1.6 16V TU5JP (NFU), 2006.
Oil: Total Quartz 9000 5W-40.

Fresh oil is the normal light amber color, exactly as you would expect. After about 8,000 km it develops this distinct red tint. This has happened over several consecutive oil changes with the same engine.

I'm not claiming that the red color automatically means something is wrong. My concern is simply whether this color change is completely normal or whether it could indicate contamination, varnish deposits, oxidation, or some other issue that could affect lubrication over the long term.

Has anyone seen this specifically with the TU5JP (NFU) engine or with Total Quartz 9000? I'd really appreciate any technical explanation or oil analysis experience.

Thank you.

 

[KCJeep]

I've had Valvoline EP and Castrol Magnatec both drain with a reddish hue. Reading this thread leads me to believe it's not an issue as most of the oils mentioned are top tier lubes.