Black oil

[drew300]

I've been surprised at the blackness of my used engine oil, but put it down to an all aluminum engine. Aluminum oxide is black I figured.
I've read several articles about oil filters here. When I upgraded from the standard Fram, I found the oil wasn't as dark.
Last oil change, I bought a filter for "high milage" engines. I think it was a Purolator filter, it cost $10.00.
At half way though the oil change, (2500 Km), I'm amazed at how clean this oil is.
Definately, the cheap Fram wasn't doing it's job.

[PlayStation3]

u wouldn't use fram just becuase walmart heavly stocks it.

[Cat Fuzz]

Fram oil filters are garbage. Although, the "blackness" of used motor oil shouldn't be a gauge for how well an oil filter works. It is normal for oil to turn black in gasoline fueled engines. The oil in propane fueled engines, however, is usually golden at every oil change but it still needs to be changed.

[PlayStation3]

and isn't black a sign that your oil is starting to break down

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

and isn't black a sign that your oil is starting to break down

No. Dark oil is normal for gasoline engines. If that were the case, we would never have to change the oil in any of the propane fueled forklifts we service at work because it usually doesn't turn black.

[sierrap615]

the main need of oil changes are not because the oil breaks down, its to remove dirt and contaminents from the engine that is carried in the oil(the filter can only clean so much)

here is something interesting - go to a parts store and grab a FRAM and a different brand filter that is for the same applcation. feel the wieght difference. guess which one has the better filter media inside.

[Mines69Olds]

I picked up a job at walmart as an automotive tech and I don't even use fram. I use a Pure One on my SOHC saturn and it works so much better than a fram. There is also a guy that comes in with a 98 Chevy Express van which has 320,000 miles and still run beautifully and he uses nothing but Mobil 1 with a Pure One oil filter. If anyone can recommend a better filter please do. I am open to suggestions.

[corning_d3]

I know a GM technician who changes his filter every 2,000 miles, and tops it off with 1 quart, which was the size of the filter.. He's got a lot of miles on that truck.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

I know a GM technician who changes his filter every 2,000 miles, and tops it off with 1 quart, which was the size of the filter.. He's got a lot of miles on that truck.

i have heard of people doing that. but think about this, you have one quart of clean oil, 4 quarts of dirty oil, and a new filter. don't you think that new filter will become dirtier and clogged faster then if you you would have changed out all ~5 quarts? and for what? 4 quarts of oil only cost about 8 bucks - well worth it to me. and thats also why i'm not a fan of extented service interval. new synthedic oil may be able to go 10,000 or 15,000 miles, but can the filter with the same specs and size from before go that long?

[corning_d3]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

don't you think that new filter will become dirtier and clogged faster then if you you would have changed out all ~5 quarts?

Well, if the previous filter was doing it's job the oil would be clean, but the additives would be nearly depleted. The fresh quart of oil renews the additives to continue keeping the old oil clean. BUT, I still change religiously with all 5 quarts and a new filter every 3000. I'm experimenting with different synthetics..

[drew300]

For what it's worth, "Amsoil" has a special filter that includes something to absorb moisture. I believe they claim it's good for 40,000 km.