i had my car serviced about 6 weeks (castrol magnatech used) and already the oil is black as night. i only do about 15000k a year so have probably only 1000k or so since the service.

my old car was still reasonably clean by the next service, so is it normal to be this black already? what does it mean?

should i run an oil flush thing through before the next service to clean the engine or something?

I'm assuming you've got a car thats at least 10 years old?
Old cars mate, you can't expect them to run perfectly. That said, as long as you're changing the oil regularly you're still sweet. Mine goes black within about 1000k of servicing, big deal.
Run some oil flush stuff through if you want, but i wouldn't worry.

it's a 1998, done 44000km but i dont have service history and it's the first oil change i've done since i bought it. i change oil every 6 months so hopefully no worries :)

thanks for the advice

with my elante i think when i bought it, it hadnt been serviced... since new? The car ran well, no ticks or anything, but when i changed the oil it instantly went crap, then i engine flushed it and same again, ticking when idling etc, black crap all over the inside of the engine.

In the 50,000ish k's ive owned it, its probably had about.... 10 oil changes? And now its at a spot where its sweet. Oil still black as night, but no longer has the consistency of water.

hahahah mate your engine's done 440,000 kms.. What were you expecting lol
Dw about it at least the engine's still running!!!!

He said 44,000 kms. That's hardly anything.
Black oil is fine, as long as it doesn't turn into sludge you've got nothing to worry about.

So its a GDI and its running on Crapola Aussie petrol - I'd say get a Fitch fitted to it - I don't say it'll do much for you fuel consumption but they sure do keep the oil clean between changes. I've had one on mine for about 40,000 klms now and I don't regret the outlay (about $450 fitted for the canister type). You can read up on it here:

http://www.fitchcatalyst.com.au/

change the oil filter more often and go to 5000 km oil changes :nuts:

While we are on the subject of oil, I had a look at a 2nd gen yesterday and the oil was creamy colored, the tappets were noisy and it blew smoke :doubt:

Creamy oil means theres possibly a leaking head gasket.

He said 44,000 kms. That's hardly anything.
My bad!!
Nah that's sweet then man dont worry about it, as suggested change every 5000k :D

While we are on the subject of oil, I had a look at a 2nd gen yesterday and the oil was creamy colored, the tappets were noisy and it blew smoke :doubt:

Head gasket, Welcome to my crappy world

Try Using a oil filter called Pure One avail from supercheap for about 15 bucks if avail for your model I found they prevent my oil going black for longer. Made in USA thre supposed to be the most fine filteration oil filters u can get. Worth a try.

Try Using a oil filter called Pure One avail from supercheap for about 15 bucks if avail for your model I found they prevent my oil going black for longer. Made in USA thre supposed to be the most fine filteration oil filters u can get. Worth a try.

Yeah i got one of these, was waiting for a review from someone.
When oil actually stays *in* the engine ill put it on, most of it ends up on the floor atm.
thanks for that:)

']Head gasket, Welcome to my crappy world

Only if i bought it :P

So its a GDI and its running on Crapola Aussie petrol - I'd say get a Fitch fitted to it - I don't say it'll do much for you fuel consumption but they sure do keep the oil clean between changes. I've had one on mine for about 40,000 klms now and I don't regret the outlay (about $450 fitted for the canister type). You can read up on it here:

http://www.fitchcatalyst.com.au/


This guy owns a GDI DIAMANTE, not a magna, and his profile says "international member" so I am guessing he's not running aussie petrol...

This have been discussed.

I see someone here says change oil at 5000K => :nuts: ?

Well I do it if is normal oil, if is semi syn I go 8K mark.

My reasons is I Know the car feels lighter and definately fuel consumptions is better. And for the sake of the Engine its good to do it since I do it myself it doesnt cost much.

Now for those who wait until 15K mark, I dont think your Engine will be very happy. But Hey is all up to you.

Try Using a oil filter called Pure One avail from supercheap for about 15 bucks if avail for your model I found they prevent my oil going black for longer. Made in USA thre supposed to be the most fine filteration oil filters u can get. Worth a try.

finer filter doesn't necessarily mean better, could be making too much back pressure
for the pump & oil grid. And when the filter clogs up, the oil just goes bypass anyway
and none gets filtered.

if your engine is healthy the black stuff in your oil is usually liquid, not solid particles.
Filters will only remove solid particles... to test, just leave black oil standing for a while.
If its particles it'll sink to the bottom.


If you want your oil to stay 'honey' for longer, you've gotta get as much of the
dirty old oil OUT as you can - at every oil change.

The only way that works for me is, after draining oil, to replace plug &
put about 1-2L NEW oil into engine and turn it over a few times (don't start!).
Then dump the oil, swap the filter & full fill.

In 3.5L... oil stays golden for about 3000km, darkens only after 3500.
I change every 5000.