drained engine oil is red.

[OVERKILL]

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.

Are you the original owner of the vehicle? Do you see any red varnish when you look in the fill hole of the engine?

 

[Astro14]

Won’t find very many Citroens over here.

 

[Ursatdx]

My experience is that synthetics, when drained, can have a reddish color.
I've noticed it on many occasions at my center.
Golden color as new, then red, brown and then black.
M1 seemed to have this trait most often.
I'd bet a UOA would show a lot of life left in that oil.

 

[ripcord]

Just be happy knowing that you're changing it before the engine had time to more fully contaminate and oxidize the oil into a black color.

 

[bruce381]

email with photos and lot number the total people see if you get a answer. But yes some Antioxidants can turn reddish in use and is normal for them

 

[JavierH19]

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.

Nope. From what I've seen in other threads talking about this it's not a concern. Some additive packs will turn red but it doesn't mean the oil is bad.

 

[cptbarkey]

I've done an OCI of that exact oil, it wasnt tinted red when I poured it virgin, nor drained.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

I've been running that particular flavor of oil and other TQ varieties in multiple engines (Advance Auto clearance stock). I do get that weird red tint from at least some flavors and they all definitely look different from my former go-to Mobil 1, but I've always had good Blackstone results. An analysis by the lab of your choice should clarify things.

 

[Legs4Arms]

When I had an injector leaking down, the Mobil 1 5W-30 that only had about 2500kms on it at the time was so fuel soaked it was essentially engine cleaner and no longer an engine lubricant.

I quickly had the injector replaced and dropped that oil. It was so thin from the fuel, and for the first time with this car, drained out with a very red tinge to it. I think.it was varnish that the gasoline cleaned out.

My guess is the OP's car has a bad fuel dilution issue.