Why is my engine oil so dirty???

[Kit99bar]

Everytime I change my engine oil
(3000 miles)

the oil engine oil is pitch black.

I've heard somepeople saying their engine oil is still golden when they change it.

is this odd or normal?

[BillWS6Formula]

Don't worry, it's normal for an oil that's spent 3000 miles in an engine. Remember one of the main jobs of an oil besides lubrication is to keep the internals clean. That's why it gets so dark - it traps and holds the by products of combustion in suspension unti you change it out. Oil that's dark at oil change time is just showing that's it's done it's job.

[CarbonB2000GT]

Mines a little dirty but not completly golden.

--Josh

[kpsilverman]

so what if u change your oil more frequently,
I checked my oil after 1500 miles and my oil in the dipstick is golden and it's been 4months. Do you recommend it's time to change it?

[yakkosmurf]

Changing oil every 3k miles is best whether conventional or synthetic. As for how the oil looks, it will vary depending on the kind of driving you're doing and the kind of oil you are using. Synthetic oils do a better job of trapping particles and contaminants, and as a result, "look" dirty more quickly. Also, Mobil 1 is more golden out of the bottle than Castrol Syntec. They use different amounts of additives, so one just has a darker color from the beginning. Also, how is your air filter doing? If it's allowing more dirt into the intake, it can show up as very dirty oil.

Just thought that might give you some possibilities to consider.

[mickey513]

Originally posted by Kit99bar
Everytime I change my engine oil
(3000 miles)

the oil engine oil is pitch black.

I've heard somepeople saying their engine oil is still golden when they change it.

is this odd or normal?

I change my oil every 3k miles and it is still yellow when I change it. I have 18k on my Celica too...........what kind of oil&filter are you using? Cheap no brand name oil/filter do make the oil dark MUCH QUICKER. That is why I use only Toyota OEM filter and higher quality oil like Castrol or Pennzoil.

[Kit99bar]

mickey: I'm using OEM GT-S filter and CastrolGTX oil (I just switched to Mobil 1 last weekend)

Yakko: I think that perhaps the Intake is letting dirt in. That is the only thing I can think of. Interesting theory