Let's please stop talking about oil color!
- Thread starter PhoenixTL
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Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
What if your oil is purple?
I think there are other issues then...
What if your oil is purple?
I think there are other issues then...
Purple???
If its purple then everything must be ok!!!!!!!!!
If its purple then everything must be ok!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
If it's jet black it probably means it's cleaning your engine which is good.
Are you sure about that?
If it's jet black it probably means it's cleaning your engine which is good.
Are you sure about that?
Color can be helpful. Two colors off the top of my head that would concern me are jet black [gas engine], and a brownish milk shake color. I'm sure we can think of a few more that could indicate problems.
In my experience oil color can be helpful IF you consider all of the variables.
For instance, I've run the same brand/weight of oil in my truck for roughly same amount of miles for years now. I know what it looks like coming out of the pan... if it would come out "strange" I'd know something could be amiss, or if it came out smelling bad and so on.
But this is with all the variables kept as close to the same as possible... the average person wouldn't know (or care) enough to consider all of that- making the color a pretty unreliable indicator of engine health all things considered.
For instance, I've run the same brand/weight of oil in my truck for roughly same amount of miles for years now. I know what it looks like coming out of the pan... if it would come out "strange" I'd know something could be amiss, or if it came out smelling bad and so on.
But this is with all the variables kept as close to the same as possible... the average person wouldn't know (or care) enough to consider all of that- making the color a pretty unreliable indicator of engine health all things considered.
Originally Posted By: rclint
Pablo that depends on if you have been eating asparagus or not.. are we talking about oil or ?
Originally Posted By: thread subject
Let's please stop talking about oil color!
Pablo that depends on if you have been eating asparagus or not.. are we talking about oil or ?
Originally Posted By: thread subject
Let's please stop talking about oil color!
JHZR2
Staff member
Agree with the op 110%
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
You are off-topic ...we are not talking about contamination here....just the life of the oil asit relates to its color....
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
You are off-topic ...we are not talking about contamination here....just the life of the oil asit relates to its color....
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
IE Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
I am much more on topic than the color of my urine posts.
You are off-topic ...we are not talking about contamination here....just the life of the oil asit relates to its color....
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
IE Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
I am much more on topic than the color of my urine posts.
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..but we rate oils on sound..and have even had aroma being some standard of merit in evaluation.
To leave color out ..well, that would be UNFAIR.
..but we rate oils on sound..and have even had aroma being some standard of merit in evaluation.
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
You are off-topic ...we are not talking about contamination here....just the life of the oil asit relates to its color....
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
IE Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
I am much more on topic than the color of my urine posts.
I think KW is 100% correct on this one.
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
You are off-topic ...we are not talking about contamination here....just the life of the oil asit relates to its color....
Focus
Originally Posted By: KW
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
I am not aware that the visual color of an oil can indicate any type of "wear" on the oil...
My goodness... are you boss for the day?
Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
Milky oil and indicate water.
So visual color does have something to do with "wear".
IE Black oil can indicate fuel loading or over heating.
I am much more on topic than the color of my urine posts.
I think KW is 100% correct on this one.
Originally Posted By: PhoenixTL
yet we keep seeing post after post talking about how the oil could go x amount of more miles because of the way it looks????
Old habits die hard. It's similar to the 3k miles/3 month oil change myth that a lot of people still follow.
I agree with you completely though.
yet we keep seeing post after post talking about how the oil could go x amount of more miles because of the way it looks????
Old habits die hard. It's similar to the 3k miles/3 month oil change myth that a lot of people still follow.
I agree with you completely though.
As oil oxidation occurs oil turns darker. If you look at the color of the oil you pour into your engine in an OCI. Then look at the oil through out it's mileage life. Most oils will turn a dark golden brown. Of course as the oil life depletes, wear will go up a certain amount. Oil color and even smell is a good(check your dipstick) indicator. Nothing replaces used oil analysis, but not ONE person on this site checking the oil in their engine; won't regard color as an important indicator.
If you isolate your criteria down to just one oil fact, then color has no meaning.
But it sure can have meaning.
But it sure can have meaning.
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