What does Oil Color Reveal?

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WayneandAnna

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2015 Camry, 4 Cyl, 14,985 miles. Using synthetic Oil, 0W20, as required by Toyota.

The oil has 2,100 miles on it and is very dirty looking. The dark color of the oil looks like the oil is ready to be changed, but the oil is not scheduled to be changed for another 7,900 miles.

This engine is an oil burner and the plug in cylinder 4 shows that it is burning oil.

I've sent a sample to Blackstone this morning, 11/5/2015.

Is this normal? What should the color tell me?
 
haven't you posted this before? Let the blackstone sample it and let them tell you what they find.
 
It sounds like you already know the answer since you stated it burns oil and the spark plug reveals that fact. I would voice your concerns to the manufacturer and see if they can provide some help. Personally I have never had a new car that burns excess oil, although it does sometimes happens. best of luck
 
I've noticed this on my dad's 2012 Camry. I think the Toyota oil filter is only 50% efficient but the flow rate for start up is very good. So I'm thinking using a Fram Ultra would be a better choice. The car is at 60k now with 10k oil changes. It has burned a little oil. Usually the dipstick shows three quarters mark after 10k miles. But this time it's at the half way mark. Which I thought was a 1/2 quart low. But from one of your other threads this may mean it's a full quart low.

I've noticed the same thing with the 05 Matrix when going to the toyo dealer for oil changes. I think it's the low efficiency(rock catcher) oil filter. It is well contructed from with I read. Now I use Motorcraft oil and filters. The color goes from a light to a medium honey color. THe car now has 8500 miles on MC synblend with a medium honey color. Which I think is better than the oil turning black after 2k miles. But who knows without testing.

I've noticed this before with the fram ocod and other cheap filters. Even while using decent quality oil. But use a high efficiency filter and oil stays a nice honey color.
 
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Answer is: you cannot be sure. Some vehicles darken oil in under 1000 miles while others barely darken it in 7500. Get a UOA to be sure.
 
Reads like you have poor cyl balance due to poor combustion. This will gum rings, then dirty the oil and kill the cat. Have dealer address? Good luck getting ANY response from a dealer on engine performance issues - I never have.
Any MIL/code set?
If not, you might bring to local hyper tuner for advice or a data log and check then bring to dealer for ammo.
May just be bad plug/coil. Has anyone fiddled with the ignition or plugs? You gotta put NEW back in, or use new crusg gaskets to prevent warping of area around valve seats due to overtorquing.
 
how much oil is it burning per 5000miles?

Color of oil doesn't mean much. Some oils darken faster than others.. Some engines darken oil.. more than other engines.
 
Both my Toyotas keep any oil looking barely used at 5000-6000 miles. Not sure i care either way.
 
Originally Posted By: WayneandAnna
2015 Camry, 4 Cyl, 14,985 miles. Using synthetic Oil, 0W20, as required by Toyota.

The oil has 2,100 miles on it and is very dirty looking. The dark color of the oil looks like the oil is ready to be changed, but the oil is not scheduled to be changed for another 7,900 miles.

This engine is an oil burner and the plug in cylinder 4 shows that it is burning oil.

I've sent a sample to Blackstone this morning, 11/5/2015.

Is this normal? What should the color tell me?


Is it black?
 
I changed out my FF on my new Outback at 781 miles because it was coal black and I had a bunch of clearance oil. The UOA showed it was fine. I'm still glad I changed it out. The black was suspended in the oil not the oil its self is that makes sense.
 
I have a 13 Camry, I4. I change oil every 5000 miles, not 10K. The engine burned a bit (noticeable amount) on the very 1st run of a long trip, has not noticed since then. Color change is rather gradual, at 5000 miles, the oil coming out is not very black. Car has mixed local and highway. What I usually do is to dump in 5 quarts at oil change, and at 5000 miles, it's still at full mark (or slightly above). I have been using TGMO 0w20 consistently, but wanted to change the OCI to twice a year regardless of the mileage. Currently, car gets driven 15000 miles a year.

I believe that oil color change is due to (1) oxidation; (2) suspense of combustion by products (particles); (3) wear metal and no-metal particles; (4) stuff from air intake.
 
The oil in my Corolla stays a pretty amber color for 5000 miles. The oil in my Rav4 gets very dark after 5000 miles. What does it mean? As long as they keep running, I don't care what color the oil is.
 
Originally Posted By: windeye
I have a 13 Camry, I4. I change oil every 5000 miles, not 10K. The engine burned a bit (noticeable amount) on the very 1st run of a long trip, has not noticed since then. Color change is rather gradual, at 5000 miles, the oil coming out is not very black. Car has mixed local and highway. What I usually do is to dump in 5 quarts at oil change, and at 5000 miles, it's still at full mark (or slightly above). I have been using TGMO 0w20 consistently, but wanted to change the OCI to twice a year regardless of the mileage. Currently, car gets driven 15000 miles a year.

I believe that oil color change is due to (1) oxidation; (2) suspense of combustion by products (particles); (3) wear metal and no-metal particles; (4) stuff from air intake.


also some additives to oil naturally darken with heat exposure.. doesnt mean its dirty or worn out.
 
"also some additives to oil naturally darken with heat exposure.. doesnt mean its dirty or worn out."

I'm not trying to do anything except learn. How do you know this? What is your source of information?
 
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Originally Posted By: zach1900
On that note why does cool oil as in car sitting for 12 hrs.+ always look dirtier?

Because it's thicker so is holding more oil contaminants..., Not really any difference than stacking a second set of sun glasses(lenses) on top of one another...


You guys can say nothing can be told but I strongly disagree... A almost new gas engine that darkens oil in just a couple thousand miles has a problem... Likely blowby is scorching the oil so it's darkening quickly...

None of my stuff darkens the oil significantly in 2K mi(5 or 6K yes), and that includes a well abused 1996 F-150 with 186K mi...
 
I'm quite positive that I can tell the oil colour from the colour of the oil...and that's about it.

Unless obviously contaminated with water etc.
 
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