Black Diesel Oil

[bongodave]

Diesels run at twice the compression of petrol in order to explode the fuel through pressure. The diesel engine oil has a far greater job to do.

When you say black, I take it you mean dark, but no visible particles?

You got no worries mate. Your running a good quality oil and don'tbe scared into thinking otherwise. Quicker darkening of diesel oil is normal. For example, I run LPG and my oil stays golden. Makes no odds, just different fuel, cleaner burning and different compression.

May be worth giving your EGR valve a clean as a good maintenance thing.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by bongodave

Diesels run at twice the compression of petrol in order to explode the fuel through pressure. The diesel engine oil has a far greater job to do.

When you say black, I take it you mean dark, but no visible particles?

You got no worries mate. Your running a good quality oil and don'tbe scared into thinking otherwise. Quicker darkening of diesel oil is normal. For example, I run LPG and my oil stays golden. Makes no odds, just different fuel, cleaner burning and different compression.

May be worth giving your EGR valve a clean as a good maintenance thing.

Oil in a D5 engine changes colour very little if changed every service. It always is always clear and should only leave a slight grey deposit on a white cloth.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Shadeyman

Some useful info here: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

The comments on winter tyres at the side is interesting. That has to be some kind of record for the most crashes on a road junction.

As a matter of interest Castrol don't make a synthetic oil. All their "synthetic" oils are type 3 synthetics. So just more highly refined mineral oils. Good oils and what Volvo test with nevertheless.

[bongodave]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

Oil in a D5 engine changes colour very little if changed every service. It always is always clear and should only leave a slight grey deposit on a white cloth.

So what's causing it? Marmite Pixies?

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by bongodave

So what's causing it? Marmite Pixies?

The clue is "if changed at every service"

This query about black oil has come up several times before with new buyers. There are even some pictures of a properly serviced D5 oil stick showing how the oil should look in one of the threads.

[poisondart]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

The clue is "if changed at every service"

This query about black oil has come up several times before with new buyers. There are even some pictures of a properly serviced D5 oil stick showing how the oil should look in one of the threads.

Ok, so I have a 2009 XC90, full Volvo service history, just had it serviced in October, Castrol Edge Professional used each time, engine oil was black by the time I made the 60 mile journey home. You're saying it hasn't been serviced correctly / oil hasn't been changed if the engine oil is black?

[enscjb]

Originally Posted by poisondart

Ok, so I have a 2009 XC90, full Volvo service history, just had it serviced in October, Castrol Edge Professional used each time, engine oil was black by the time I made the 60 mile journey home. You're saying it hasn't been serviced correctly / oil hasn't been changed if the engine oil is black?

Roy, have you disabled EGR? I've never seen any less than black oil in a diesel, mainly ford and vw admittedly. Unless they use a centrifugal filter the soot is very tricky to remove. Interesting.

[enscjb]

It's certainly more involved than just getting a good price. BP (Castrol) and Shell work very closely with engine makers to do research to get good performance, economy, emissions and durability. They often produce a new blend specifically for a new engine.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by poisondart

Ok, so I have a 2009 XC90, full Volvo service history, just had it serviced in October, Castrol Edge Professional used each time, engine oil was black by the time I made the 60 mile journey home. You're saying it hasn't been serviced correctly / oil hasn't been changed if the engine oil is black?

From my experience with my car and from what others have posted on the forum there is something wrong somewhere. Everyone who posted previously said their oil was as I've described it. (except for the first post asking if we thought his oil had been changed)

Is the oil filter being changed as per the service schedule? Is the oil clear before the start of the journey home? How was the oil removed? Was the oil really changed?

Only the old Audi TD engines oil went black straight away.

I've searched for the post with photos but can't remember what the thread was called so I'll go and take some of my oil dip stick tomorrow and post them. I've been to Scotland on holiday since it was serviced, so should give a good indication.

Here is the Volvo official list of recommended oils. Please note the subtle difference in oil names. They still have different additive packages despite the very slight name difference. http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showpo...&postcount=370

The part no for XC90 2003 Euro3 D5 oil is V01161831. Ask FRF for the part no if you have a different engine model. Don't forget to quote C3 for the discount if you buy some.

[AleXc90]

Full Volvo Service History for mine and mileage has just turned 47,000.
The consistency and the look of the oil is definitely clean and crisp, but it is dark grey when you wipe on a white cloth, no other horrible bits on that cloth.
Very strange concept.