Hello all! I'm surprised at how dark my oil gets after just a few thousand miles. I have 3K on it (normal driving) and it's black as night.

Is this normal, and if so, why does a CTD do this when a gasser doesn't? Thanks!

 

Yep, that's normal for a diesel. There is a lot of blow-by and soot in a diesel. Your oil is doing it's job by suspending the soot and dirt and not letting it settle to make sludge.

 

Normal.
It's that way after a couple hundred miles.
Use good filters and you'll have no problems.

 

My oil is black after 1 mile. ***?

 

Same here.

My 94 Suburban w/ the 6.5TD was the same way. At 250K miles, that engine was still going strong.

 

This is why regular oil changes are best IMHO. Don't do the 45K mile oil change to see how long you can go. Change the oil to remove the soot. Also, make sure you use an oil rated for diesel. It will have a soot control addative to suspend the particles until you change it.

 

It is black after a mile and I change it 3000 miles without fail. They state that they use Valvoline 15w30 (the dealership). Is there a Valvoline diesel oil?

 

It's been around 3k miles since my last oil change and still looks new. I do use Amsoil 15w40 and Donaldson oil filters. Oil gets changed every 8k miles, filters, every 4k miles.
Chip

 

I believe it's 15-40.
Valvoline Premium Blue.
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...sp?product=112

 

I think you are correct about the weight (can't remember). If they didn't use the premium blue, would this explain why it is almost instantly black (like tar)?

 

My oil turned black after 20 seconds of engine running on my 06 with 11,000 miles while two 1999 Dodge Diesels in excess of 200,000 miles have yellowish oil after 2500 miles. Anybody know why some diesels make the oil black instantly while others run for over 2000 miles before loosing the yellowish color?

 

Makes you wonder if a kitty is holding in more soot on the 3rd gens and not the older models without a cat? I don't know what im talking about but maybe? Most any diesel oil dipstick ive ever seen is black as crap all the time. Stays nice and golden while its goin down the funnel - thats about it. I just change mine regularly and don't worry about it.

 

I don't know what I am talking about either. But the 3rd injection event mite have something to do with it also.

 

The 2003 3rd Gen was much better if you're worrying about oil color. Heck, my '05 get's black by the time I back out of the garage !
Don't worry about it - the soot is a very fine suspension and these engines are designed for it.

 

I have a 305 555 04...oil stays "clean" for a long time....but 04.5 and up, oil turns black almost immediately....normal.