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 incite 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)