I had an '03 (CTD but stock with no Cat converter) and now have an '05 (with Cat) with around 9000 miles on it. After breaking in the drivetrain, I've been running with a heavy camper for most of those miles cross country and in the mountains, so yeah, we've been working the Cummins. I've done 2 oil changes (Rotella dino) already and I've noticed that the engine oil gets real black after about 500 miles. The '03 didn't get black until much much later. Dealer says this is normal and after 20-thousand or so miles once the rings set up the black 'will go away some'.

What are you guys finding on your rigs? Should I be concerned?

 

Just did a change at 20,500 miles and it turned black right a way. I have payed attention to the other posts about oil color and no one has said anything about the oil being lighter (less black) after added miles. My truck has done it's fair share of towing and should be well on it's way to being broken in.

Anyone notice a change in oil color after many miles?

 

Well mine only has 25k on it and will get a fresh oil change this weekend. However mine has always turned black almost right away. I think that is just the nature of the 04.5 on up trucks.

 

Just got a little over 25k on my 04.5 now. My oil gets black pretty quick also. Probably half of these miles are towing also, so my truck works for a living. I'm not worried about the black oil; I change it every 5k, because I just got an oil analysis back and all is well according to Cummins!!!

 

I got a 98.5 with 113,000 on and oil has always turned black within 500 mi. Maybe its the oil . I'v always used 15-40 rotilla dino. change Q 5000 mi. Runs great.

 

"Black oil for how long?" Hopefully for a million miles!

I'm using Delo 400 changing every 5K with about 25k miles and she turns black before I can back out of the garage...well not quite that bad, but black does not scare me. Just means the oil is doing it's job by holding soot in suspension.