tack

I use Mobil 1 5w30 and I always change the filter. Anyone notice that their oil is darker almost black to some degree?

Maybe I am just being a little OCD. I just don't want there to be something wrong.

racingguy13

iTrader: (2)

Unless you change your oil every 1000 miles or month, it will be darker colored and progressively darker the longer you go. It's not a bad sign, it's doing what it was designed to do. It may not be as bad when the car is newer, but it is normal. Unless you see tiny shiny particles or chunks coming out, or coolant you should be okay.

Yoo Shin

iTrader: (2)

How often do you go between changes and how do you drive?

tack

This was my third oil change. I don't see or feel any shavings. I don't Auto X it (yet) but I do enjoy the car when I drive it. I just compare it to my S2000 that will keep golden colored oil for 1000+ miles and even after the tint barely changes. I wondered if it was because of the oil or if other people driving EVO Xs experience the same dark oil.

tack

I change the oil every 3000 miles. Even if I don't hit 3000 miles I still try to change it every 6 months. I don't drag race it or really beat it up. My commute is pretty short (8 miles round trip).

racingguy13

iTrader: (2)

You have to remember that the Evo is turbocharged as well which will have more blow by gases getting into the crankcase. This will cause the oil to blacken faster due to the carbon. It's completely normal, just keep doing what you are doing and changing the oil in a timely manner. For extra measure you might want to change it right after you get done autoxing or even do an oil change strictly for the race. I plan on running Dominator racing oil from Amsoil in mine. Good for extended high rpm. But the dark color is normal, if you see it shine that's when you worry because it can be bearing material.

NewEvolutionIX

iTrader: (23)

Just so you know turbo cars will make that oil dirty faster compared to your s2000 or NA cars. I usually change mine every 3k

4doorstreetbike

Mobil 1 tends to do that if I was you either use royal purple or ams oil..Mobil is not a true synthetic oil and had to any detergents in it you want to use either a non detergent full synthetic oil or bradd pen the green oil whick is half but a very good oil too but a bit harder to find.O and it is really green like the rp is purple.

spdracerut

iTrader: (2)

Yup, the oil gets significantly darker in the Evo than the S2000, and faster also. The main thing I can think of is the significantly richer A/F ratio turbo cars run. Stock the Evo drops below 10.0. A S2000 runs about 12.0 at WOT stock, and that's only on the top end. With the Evo, every time it dips into the boost hard, the A/F gets super rich.

Another factor to it turning dark quickly is the oil cooler; it holds some of the old oil during an oil change.

tack

Good looking out guys. Thanks for the responses!

ugakirk

iTrader: (14)

not this.

racingguy13

iTrader: (2)

Mobil 1 is a very good oil, don't get me wrong. If it wasn't I'm sure Porsche wouldn't have it as the oil which is practically required in their vehicles. And if it's good for a 620 hp twin turbo flat six, or a 600+ hp high revving V10, it's a decent oil. But I agree with the others (except the Royal Purple) about Amsoil. Amsoil is on top as far as I'm concerned. Their normal synthetic for everyday spirited driving and their Dominator racing oil line up for track use or autoxing due to it's high rpm application. It's really not that much more than Mobil 1 either depending where you get each from.

skiracer

iTrader: (1)

I believe Mobil 1 oil gets darker faster comapred to a traditional non-synthetic oil

skyblas

turboed car engine oil darken easily

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

Color of oil means nothing, it is of no indication to it's remaining life.