Reading another thread it was stated that all Motor Oil has dye added to it. I know that some manufacturers add colors and transmission fluid is typically dyed red. I have always believed that most motor oil color is a combo of its base stock and add packs. i know synthetic bases can be crystal clear or light amber and some non-detergent 30 weights can be pretty dark amber. I have seen raw crude that is yellow, green, black and all ranges in between. So am I wrong? Are all motor oils dyed?
Dye in oils?
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When I started driving, I once used some sort of Kendall that was dyed green.
Do they really put dye in to achieve the amber color? That's news to me.
Only ones I used that I could ever tell had dye in them was GC Green that was all the rave back in the day (german Castrol 0w-30) and Valvoline VR1 Synthetic which was colored blue.
Only ones I used that I could ever tell had dye in them was GC Green that was all the rave back in the day (german Castrol 0w-30) and Valvoline VR1 Synthetic which was colored blue.
Some may have tracer molecules. IDK. I always thought the final colour came from the additives. The base oil should be near clear.
Except Valvoline Racing and you know, that BARNEY Juice.
- Oh, jeepers, I just made a bigger funny than I intended!
Except Valvoline Racing and you know, that BARNEY Juice.
- Oh, jeepers, I just made a bigger funny than I intended!
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Originally Posted by 92saturnsl2
Do they really put dye in to achieve the amber color? That's news to me.
Only ones I used that I could ever tell had dye in them was GC Green that was all the rave back in the day (german Castrol 0w-30) and Valvoline VR1 Synthetic which was colored blue.
Most Scotch whisky is dyed amber. Apparently it's because people think it should dark from aging.
I found one extended drain diesel oil (MONOLEC 8801) that claims to have no dyes. The company claims that it's inherently amber.
Do they really put dye in to achieve the amber color? That's news to me.
Only ones I used that I could ever tell had dye in them was GC Green that was all the rave back in the day (german Castrol 0w-30) and Valvoline VR1 Synthetic which was colored blue.
Most Scotch whisky is dyed amber. Apparently it's because people think it should dark from aging.
I found one extended drain diesel oil (MONOLEC 8801) that claims to have no dyes. The company claims that it's inherently amber.
Propflux01
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Didn't Pennzoil have a marketing thing for "purebase" which was almost colourless when poured out the bottle?
If the virgin color of motor oil is clear, I wouldn't mind that a bit. Surprised that they dye the color at all. I think it would help discern just how "used" or contaminated the oil is by being able to see the color darken with age / miles. Sure you can see that now with amber oil, but the difference would be more noticeable if the oil started out clear.
Only if the dye is already in the additive. I used to make hand blends of motor oil using additive and base oil.
Most Castrol industrial oils and lubricants have a green hue depending on
viewing angle.
My 2¢
viewing angle.
My 2¢
I believe all different fluids under the hood should be dyed different colors. Sure makes leak detection a heck of a lot easier.
ARCO Graphite was not dyed. They just drained it out of high mileage, late 60's Ford's with bad plugs. From there it went straight to the bottle!
Most oil is amber because of the additives and base oils in it. It varies a bit - some detergents are significantly darkert than others, groups II, III and IV base oil are usually colourless whereas group I are varying shades of amber/straw colour. Group I base oils can also impart an irridescent hue (UV fluorescence), which is often perceived as a greenish tint under daylight.
Some specialised oils use dyes - ATFs, industrial oils and the like - I once used an MTF that was a vivid blue colour.
VW 508 00/509 00 oils are deliberately dyed green, to help avoid misapplication.
Other oils have been dyed for marketing reasons - someone above mentioned Duckhams QXR which was famously green - some motorcycle oils are red.
I have also come across cultural differences in the perception of oil colour. Some places perceive a darker oil as being stronger, more fortified. Others see a pale oil as purer.
Some specialised oils use dyes - ATFs, industrial oils and the like - I once used an MTF that was a vivid blue colour.
VW 508 00/509 00 oils are deliberately dyed green, to help avoid misapplication.
Other oils have been dyed for marketing reasons - someone above mentioned Duckhams QXR which was famously green - some motorcycle oils are red.
I have also come across cultural differences in the perception of oil colour. Some places perceive a darker oil as being stronger, more fortified. Others see a pale oil as purer.
OVERKILL
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Supposedly this reads:
Group I, Group II, Group III, PAO Group V:
![[Linked Image]](https://5.imimg.com/data5/BX/BC/MY-1252137/base-oil-500x500.jpg "[Linked Image]")
Group I, Group II, Group III, PAO Group V:
4wd
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Mercury marine puts dye in gear oil to make sure the high output motors have the right stuff …
ATF makes it easy to know what's leaking …
Motor oil ? I'm just happy with enough color to read a dipstick …
ATF makes it easy to know what's leaking …
Motor oil ? I'm just happy with enough color to read a dipstick …
Originally Posted by billt460
ARCO Graphite was not dyed. They just drained it out of high mileage, late 60's Ford's with bad plugs. From there it went straight to the bottle!
Oh come on! I'm drained out of 3.5 hp Briggs & Stratton ODPE engines that never had an oil change.!
Fake news!
ARCO Graphite was not dyed. They just drained it out of high mileage, late 60's Ford's with bad plugs. From there it went straight to the bottle!
Oh come on! I'm drained out of 3.5 hp Briggs & Stratton ODPE engines that never had an oil change.!
Fake news!
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