color of oil mean anything after XXXX miles?

[RonMAIDEN]

I know the best way to know the condition of your oil is to send it to an oil analyzer but can you tell anything from the color of your oil at your regular oil changes.
My Eclipse was run hard and ran dirty and even running synthetic it was black at 4000 miles (it was modded and run very hard) using a Puralator PureOne filter but with my Runner using Mobile 1 and a PureOne filter and going around 7500-8000 miles between changes it's more of a light brown. Is that a good sign for just a quick analysis?

Here's a pic from the oil on a paper towel after 7600miles and a spot of new oil for comparison.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

As I understand it most of the time color (when talking engine oil) usually means very little. Oil analysis is the only way to know for sure what's going on. To me your 76xx mile oil looks great! Sometimes black oil can be ok too. The brown color of your tells me nothing about the oils health. It does tell me your rings have very little blow by, exhaust guides/seals are tight and there's nothing in your engine that seems to be getting too hot.arty:


I'll be thrilled if my oil stays that clean when my rig is approaching ten years old

 

[GMZ]

Oil color means close to nothing. Even a used oil analysis will only tell you the condition of the oil as it relates to a virgin sample, and a very narrow spectrum of particles. The majority of particles in used engine oil wont be picked up by a normal $20 UOA without a particle count, ISO test, etc.

 

[Jacobzky]

If color means close to nothing can someone explain what makes the oil color change after x amount of miles in the engine? why does it turn dark after, say 5k miles? does the color of the oil the same in a 500 miles, 1k and 5k miles?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If color means close to nothing can someone explain what makes the oil color change after x amount of miles in the engine? why does it turn dark after, say 5k miles? does the color of the oil the same in a 500 miles, 1k and 5k miles?

It's been a long time since I read about it. IIRC there's two factors: 1) combustion blow-by contributes to the darker color. 2) high heat can cause discoloration as well. Keep in mind a very hot spot will heat the oil that contacts it but the overall temp may be fine. Exhaust valves come to mind.


Anything you want to know about oil can be learned at this site and the forums contained within: Welcome


:cheers:

 

[MikesToy]

If my oil changes colors, it means to me that it's doing it's job. Kinda like washing your hands, if the water changes from clear to whatever, it means it cleanse my hands.