Oil color coming out brown?

[THORROMIG]

Last 3 oil changes on my BIL 99 Ram 5.2L--the oil has come out brown running 4000 miles and changing. This last run was with Pennzoil Ultra 5-30 and a P1. Prior oil change was T5 semi synthetic with Purolator Classic filter & change before that was Valvoline 10w30 conventional with another Classic. Truck has 80,779 original miles as of today. He went with Pennzoil Semi Synthetic 5-30 & another P1. PCV was changed when he purchased the truck, when do you guys and gals think this is gonna clean up? He has no radiator or head gasket issues.

 

[RamFan]

Positive no coolant is getting in there?

 

[THORROMIG]

He says the oil starts getting brown around 2000 miles on the oil. The radiator or overflow never needs topped off. I never see no mist or strange color on the interior of his windshield that would lead me to believe his heater core was bad neither? Could it have been that sludged up at one time? We never took the valve covers off--wish we would have now!

 

[webfors]

Oil in my subaru turns dark on any brand. I'm not sure there's anything to worry about unless a used oil analysis says different.

 

[dparm]

Motor oil darkens over its service life. I wouldn't consider a visual inspection very useful unless there is blatant coolant contamination.

A common trick that oil change places use to upsell "flushes" and such is the old, "Look how dark your oil is getting."

 

[cmorr]

Thorromig,

So if I read this correctly this is truck is "new to him" (assume based on the comment that the PCV valve was replaced at purchase) and he has done (3) oil changes with oils that are well known for their cleaning capabilities

Am thinking it needed the cleaning cycles and the brown color is a good sign. Curious as to how the filter looked and felt (weight) and the reason for the PCV change (issue or just maintenance), If there was an issue that further explains the cleaning

 

[Oregoonian]

I would suggest a used oil analysis....just to dertermine if there are any issues.

Also, instead of changing to different brand name oils each OC, consider sticking with just one for awhile, and then do a used oil analysis.

Mobile 5000 would be my choice with 4k to 5K OCI's....and a Purolator Classic filter. You might consider cutting open the filter to see how it looks. All can be purchased a WalMart.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: cmorr
Thorromig,

So if I read this correctly this is truck is "new to him" (assume based on the comment that the PCV valve was replaced at purchase) and he has done (3) oil changes with oils that are well known for their cleaning capabilities

Am thinking it needed the cleaning cycles and the brown color is a good sign. Curious as to how the filter looked and felt (weight) and the reason for the PCV change (issue or just maintenance), If there was an issue that further explains the cleaning


Agreed; if this is "new to him" then he's likely cleaning up PO's lack of maintenance.

However also agree that a used oil analysis is a good idea to rule out any coolant.

 

[HellaBroke]

I am rather new to bitog, so maybe I should prepare and put a flame suit on now.
Why not run seafoam in the oil prior to the next oil change to break down the sludge that could be built up (that your current oil choice is cleaning for you now..) to aid in removing the possible build up.
Also what filter is being used? ( maybe it was already said and I just missed it ) wouldent running a higher quality filter if a lesser is being used and possibly a larger filter if allowed to aid in the clean up?

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/filters-and-by-pass-systems/oil/wix-oil-filter/?code=51085-EA
through amsoil i do not see a larger option however im sure someone more educated on the matter could help out with a larger filter that would work than the WIX I am recommending.

 

[DMZ]

Is the brownish oil translucent or opaque?

 

[THORROMIG]

Cmorr, he changed the PCV valve when he purchased the truck as a maintenance aspect. I personally think it is just cleaning up the previous owners oil changing patterns. When we changed it for the first time the filter felt like a dumbbell was added. I never felt a filter that heavy before. I wouldn't have believed him if I didn't feel it myself. He said hes gonna keep his OCI around 4000 miles for now.

 

[TFB1]

Oil is supposed to get some color to it with usage, in 47 years of vehicle ownership I'm yet to see any engine that oil wasn't brownish after 4k mi(unless it was black which indicates either sludge or it's a diesel)...

Worry about more important things...

 

[demarpaint]

That's pretty much the color I use to describe waste oil that comes out of my cars. It turns a brownish color. I've read here about oil turning black too, although I never experienced that. Describing a color is pretty tough, I'd say its normal in this instance. Some cars turn the oil colors faster than others, it depends on use, and the engine condition, etc. Now if it looks like a milk shake you've got problems.

 

[SuperDave456]

I see more Brown oil these days than Black oil.
Of course I have relatively mild oil change intervals.

If you are worried I'd pay the $30 for a used oil analysis.
It might be worth it for the piece of mind.

That being said.
I wouldn't be THAT worried about it. It is a relatively New vehicle and I'd expect that the previous owner went the typical 9,000 miles between oil changes, at last survey that I've seen from iffy Lube.
Keep going with the 4,000 mile OCI's and see if it cleans up in the next 2-3 OCI's.
If not then try a couple 3,000 mile OCI's.

If it doesn't clean itself up after what you have already done and a couple 3,000 mile OCI's then yeah, you may want to purchase an used oil analysis.