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Maintenance & Repair 350Z up keep and diagnosing/fixing problems

black engine oil

Old Mar 28, 2005 | 03:18 PM
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Default black engine oil

i change my oil every 2500 miles, and every time i've changed it was black. i use castrol 10/30 oil, it is somewhat clear. so when i change it and it comes out black, does that mean that it's burning it?...is that normal? i also change the oil filter every time i change the oil (i use puralator one).

i was wondering if this was a common problem, because i don't think it should be coming out black...i'm taking my car to the dealer soon for other problems and i was wondering about bringing this up.

should i also ask them to do an oil consumption test?


thanks

Last edited by papo470; Mar 28, 2005 at 03:21 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 05:30 AM
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Originally Posted by papo470
i change my oil every 2500 miles, and every time i've changed it was black. i use castrol 10/30 oil, it is somewhat clear. so when i change it and it comes out black, does that mean that it's burning it?...is that normal? i also change the oil filter every time i change the oil (i use puralator one).

i was wondering if this was a common problem, because i don't think it should be coming out black...i'm taking my car to the dealer soon for other problems and i was wondering about bringing this up.

should i also ask them to do an oil consumption test?


thanks
Hmm. I've only had 2 oil changes so far (one at 7K, the other at 12K). I didn't get to see the 1st oil change (Valvoline did it). A friend of mine helped do my 2nd oil change (using Mobil1). The valvoline was a little black, but it still had some golden-clear color to it. Are you sure it was pure black? That seems kind of odd for such low mileage oil changes.

Try swapping for a different oil & filter. I use the OEM longneck filter.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:12 AM
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How much do you drain out vs. how much used to fill? Since you are using dino oil, "consumption" would mean it burning off during the combustion process.
One of the main jobs of engine oil is suspension of contaminants that develop and that is likely what is visible, so the question might be whether the combustion process is set a bit rich.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Z'd, i haven't checked yet how much oil its consuming. i wait a good 20 mins. to let all the oil out, to a very light stream.

Faluzure, it is dirty, jet black oil. i have 10,000 miles on it ('03). my dealer did my first change. puralator one is supposed to be a very good filter.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 02:42 PM
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I would pull the spark plugs and see what condition they are in.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 05:43 PM
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There is nothing wrong with black engine oil. That means the motor oil is doing it's job at cleaning. If you are concerned, do an used oil analysis.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 05:00 PM
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I would say the filter is very small on these. Maybe theres another version thats longer?
Maybe thats why cause mines pretty dark already I just changed it last week.

I'm gonna try WIX 57356 filter next time

Last edited by Cartel; Jun 1, 2020 at 05:28 PM.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Cartel
I would say the filter is very small on these. Maybe theres another version thats longer?
Maybe thats why cause mines pretty dark already I just changed it last week.
15 year dead thread dude
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Old Jun 8, 2020 | 05:18 AM
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I'm told to search and not create new threads.
The information is still relevant and I hate dead-end threads. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Last edited by Cartel; Jun 8, 2020 at 05:20 AM.
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