Oil black, Oil brown - same miles dif cars - why?

[r0GuE]

I've got a 2003 Honda Oddessey (3.5l V-6) w/ 10,000 miles on it. With 2,000 miles on an oil change, the oil is caramel colored

I've got a 2004 Jeep Wrangler (4.0l I-6) w/ 15,000 miles on it With 2000 miles on an oil change it's oil is black as sin. I can't understand why. I used to think that oil just got black as you used it, but my Honda is barely dark when I'm changing it.

The Honda does shorter "Mommy" oriented trips. The Jeep does a 50 min run in the AM and a 50 min run in the PM.

Any thoughts? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Youare]

I'm no expert on oil but I would think it boils down to one, or a combination of two things. I would think the black color is coming from the combustion process. Maybe the two engines have a slightly different fuel efficiency or in one the fuel is burned creating less black soot.

Or, it could be the piston rings and cylinder walls on one engine do a better job keeping the oil and combustion black from mixing. Then again it could be one has a better oil filtration system than the other.

Be interesting to hear what the more knowledgeable have to say.

Randy

 

[gsxr1100]

also depends on the oil being used.

 

[Egon]

There may be colouring agents added to the oil as per recomendation of marketing division. They do serious studies on this.

Egon

 

[5030]

Here is some food for thought.

You didn't state whether you used the same brand or weight or API certification in both vehicles so...

Usually, motor oil getting dark (black) in a modern emission controlled engine has to do with just how much emission related by products are returned to the oil. It also has to do with how refined the engine is in the way it designed. The Diamler Chrysler engine, emission control wise and efficiency wise is probably a rock compared to the Honda. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[andrewimbrogno]

Don't forget those inline 6's are not anything new by todays standards. Wonder how long that block architecture goes back. I have a 2003 jeep liberty and my oil doesn't really change to black, and it sees some serious rpms....5 speed manual /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Is the 50 minute drive one with lots of traffic or most highway. because if u in a lot of stop and go it could break the oil down faster than normal

 

[GerardC]

The Honda is Japanese /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. G

 

[JimR]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Honda is Japanese /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. G )</font>

I'll agree on this one also. 2 Honda's and an Acura owner.

 

[johndeere2210]

Just a thought. The carmal colored oil in the Honda may be due to the short trips the car makes. Engines will condense water on the inside particularly when the engine is not run long enough to reach full operating temperature and is shut off. This moisture will mix with the oil and result in a slightly discolored oil. If there is any question about wheather the oil and/or engine is being damaged, you can get an Oil Scan and for $10-$15 have it analyzed.

 

[r0GuE]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just a thought. The carmal colored oil in the Honda may be due to the short trips the car makes. Engines will condense water on the inside particularly when the engine is not run long enough to reach full operating temperature and is shut off. This moisture will mix with the oil and result in a slightly discolored oil. If there is any question about wheather the oil and/or engine is being damaged, you can get an Oil Scan and for $10-$15 have it analyzed. )</font>

Its not water, it's just cleaner. I've had a car that condensed and it had a white frothy mix on the oil cap and the oil looked bad. I think they use Castrol on the Van (changed at the Honda Garage). I use Valvoline on the Jeep because it is available in 1 Gallon containers. I may switch to synth, but I've heard from 1 guy that had a Jeep and switched to synthetic only to be plauged by oil leaks.