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Hmm fresh engine oil ?

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Hmm fresh engine oil ? #1
pjones Paul Jones Staffordshire, UK Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 12, 2024 11:09 AM Top Contributor Joined 11 years ago 300 Posts

Hi. New driving season here in the UK. As usual a springtime oil change was to be done. This time prior to draining the oil I took out the dipstick to check if any oil had been used up during the last 12 months. Strangely the oil on the dipstick looked like clean fresh new oil, no discolouration.The oil drained from the sump was black. Has anyone else noticed the same ? Does anyone know why this would be the case ? Thanks Paul
Forget to say, it's a 1972 roadster usa import.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-12 11:10 AM by pjones.

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Re: Hmm fresh engine oil ? #2
ghnl Eric Russell Mebane, NC, USA Sign in to contact 1961 MG MGA "Calvin"	Apr 12, 2024 11:24 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 12,798 Posts

The layer of oil on the dipstick is thin so it'll appear nearly clear. The oil in the drain bucket is deep so it'll appear black.

Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

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Re: Hmm fresh engine oil ? #3
Arizona Shorty Greg McC Prescott, AZ, USA Sign in to contact 1968 Jeep CJ-5 1975 Yamaha MC RD350 1977 MG MGB 1985 Jeep CJ-7	Apr 12, 2024 12:59 PM Top Contributor Joined 8 months ago 776 Posts

Wipe your dipstick with a white cloth or paper towel. That will give you a better idea of the condition of the oil than just looking at the dip stick.

Oil is supposed to turn dark. It is detergent oil. The gunk byproducts of the engine are suspended in the oil so you can remove them. Non-detergent oil tends to let the gunk settle in the pan where is it a bugger to clean out.

So be glad your oil shows use, change it, and have a safe season in the Kingdom.

GMc

Wait for me at the gate Tuffy, because without you they're never gonna let me in.

SDCH WTCH-X Twin Oaks Tuff Nutt
2008 - 2022

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Re: Hmm fresh engine oil ? #4
pjones Paul Jones Staffordshire, UK Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 13, 2024 01:03 AM Top Contributor Joined 11 years ago 300 Posts

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