Oil color

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

I run the oil for 3k miles, I use penzzoil 10w-40 and some times I add lucas engine conditioner. At 3k miles the oil is always a dark reddish brown, I've never seen a gasoline engine turn oil like this. The liberty is a 3.7l with 140k miles on the engine, I put new plugs 10k miles ago and I keep up with the maintenance, is this normal? If not, what should I do?

Also, the engine is not leaking any oil and this last period I had to add 1qt of oil before the 3k miles term.

Thanks.

kingjeep · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:43 pm

i have not had this problem with my kj i use moble 1. but my dad has a 99 durango and it burns threw oil he and he has to adds oil between oile changes he dose not use synthetic.

I would sugest trying moble 1 see if u still have the same problem i fined my kj just runs better on it.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

I used to run Mobile and switch to pennzoil with hopes it would be better. The oil consuming does not worry Me as much as the oil color at 3k miles I mentioned before, I think it might be related.
Is there something that can cause this? Something emissions related?

Thanks.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 2:40 pm

Is your coolant level the same through out oil changes? And have you always used such a heavy weight oil I mean I am a diesel and use 5w-40 if you want better mileage a 5w-30 would be the ticket. Also the Lucas oil conditioner have you always used it in every oil change?

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

I thought about the coolant mixing with the oil but it is the same level all the time and the exhaust doesn't smell like it either. I get 23.7 mpg on the highway with this oil, but if 5w is better then that is what it will get next time. I don't put lucas in the oil all the time, usually I do it every other oil change I put about 3k miles in it every two months or less.
I thought maybe something emissions related is causing this but I really don't know that much about gasoline engines.

Thanks.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:53 pm

I am pretty sure there aren't any emission systems on the KJ that could possibly do that. And next oil change I would leave the Lucas out and see if it makes a difference. If you are really worried you could have it tested but if it doesn't smell or feel any different that would be my last resort. I would just eliminate one variable at a time as long as it doesn't use any oil or coolant. But the first sign of a major issue I would have it tested thoroughly by a lab.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:57 pm

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Testing is only $25 and they will ship you the kit for free. Oil testing saved the 4.0 in my 2000 XJ from internal damage because of coolant mixing with the oil.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Thank You guys, I send them some samples from My diesel engines some times, it makes sense what You say I should send them one sample from the jeep and get a good idea of what is happening. Btw this engine has always turned the oil this color even before I started using lucas.
I will post back with some results.

kjon · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:16 am

I'm wondering why you use 10w40, as I'm pretty sure the owners manual calls for 5w30. I don't know if that would be the cause the of the problem, but I'd start there and see if you notice a difference.

Jeepin'WNC · **Joined:** Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:48 am **Posts:** 191

After looking at Blackstone Lab's site I couldn't help but laugh... From their F.A.Q. : "You know, I thought the post office looked kind of suspicious when I took the sample in. Since you don't have it yet, maybe it's lost. Should I yell at the post office?
Feel free, but it probably won't get you anywhere. If you didn't pay for tracking, they probably won't be able to tell you where it is any more than we can."
The reason I couldn't help but laugh is, I work for a US Postal Service processing facility! We process ALL the mail coming into and going out of 108 Post Offices. I spend most of my work days in the area of the facility that processes packages. I see LOTS of these oil samples going to a testing lab, from trucking companies. The ones I see are not going specifically Blackstone, but another testing lab that is more local to my area.
I can't speak from personal experience about Blackstone Labs, but I do know that a lot of over the road trucking companies have their engine oil tested on a regular basis.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:06 pm

I have blackstone test the oil from my CRD about every year. I think its a good idea to test it on engines that are costly to replace. but then that could be any vehicle you don't want to get rid of or keep running good. If I thought my oil looked or smelled funny I would be sending it in for a test. even if its good having a baseline test is good too.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Well I sent a sample from the jeep engine oil to blackstone specifying all about it and got an email a couple days ago, everything looks fine. I switched to 5w-30 mobil oil this time, the oil will still turn the same color I'm sure but at least I'm running the proper weight.

Thanks.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:24 pm

Your welcome and now you should see some improvements in fuel economy. It might now be much but still should be some slight improvement especially with winter on the way.

Oil color

Who is online