I am fairly new to the diesel scene and have a dumb question. I recently went on a 1300km trip and did check my oil occaisonaly, by the time I got home I noticed that my oil level had risen by ¼ to ½ a litre? I did change the oil before the trip and know for certain that the level was correct before the trip. The truck has approx 6200 km on it now. Is this semi-normal for a diesel or do I possibly have problem with a leaking or sticky injector(s). The other thing I noticed is that it didn't take long at all for the oil to become black again, again is this a normal characteristic of a diesel engine?

Any replies or info would be greatly appreciated,

Oh and yes I do love this truck!

 

I'm not an expert, but I'll give you my $0.02...

No, the oil level should not rise. I've noticed with mine, though, that the thing has to sit for a couple of hours before I get an accurate reading. Seems to take a long time for all the oil to get back into the pan.

Mine also turns oil dark, but it usually takes a while.

I would think if you had an injector leaking bad enough to raise the oil level in the pan, you would also have a noticable knock?

How's the coolant level?

Sending in an oil sample would tell the tale...

 

I have same thing happening to mine and have only 600 miles on it. Was about to post this question when I seen yours.

The oil looks like it has 5000 miles on it. My other 2 trucks never did this when they were new.

 

A rising oil level is not normal; and something to be looked at ASAP for sure. I'd take it to the dealer, but they'll probably say that you overfilled it.

If it was my truck, I'd take a sample and pay for the analysis myself; take and store another sample "just in case"; THEN take it to the dealer.

God only knows what they'll do about it (dealer attitudes vary greatly when it comes to warranty work), but they may change it themselves and ask you to drive it a while before bringing it back in so they can do an oil analysis.

In any event, since you're under warranty it'd be a good idea to document this issue soon.

 

I tried an experiment this weekend, I tried checking the oil within 5 min of shutoff warm. Oil level was ok at this time, I also tried checking it about 2-3 hours later. Like someone else said in this thread...the level was indeed ½L or more high at this point. Looks like maybe I did overfill it when I changed the oil. I did use just shy of 12L when I changed the oil (still some left in the last 4l jug). I have not noticed a noticeable knock (or any noise I would consider abnormal for a Diesel) and can only hear a little of what I would call diesel "rattle" at most speeds, nothing abnormal just slight noise. How long do people usually find that it takes before the oil gets the blackish look to it after an oil change. With a gasser I would normally expect 3000km or more before the oil would start looking kinda nasty again...having said that this thing is diesel and it doesn't totally surprise me but am just curious and looking to those with the experience with these things. At this point I am not quite as concerned about a possible injector leaking but will continue to monitor.

Thanks for everyone's imput!

 

CRXsi,

My oil looks darker than new oil even when it only has a couple thousand miles on it, but even after 7,000 it never gets really black. Without seeing what you are looking at, what you call "blackish" someone else may call normal, or alarming...

If I were you, I would send in a sample. If I were a betting man, I would put money down that it would come back normal, but the price of analysis could be well spent just for peace of mind.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

At least you already know that it isn't dumping .5 litre of fuel into the oil...

 

With my 01 HO if I was not towing, I could get 3000 miles on the oil and still see the writing on the dipstick. If towing I could go at least 2000 before the oil was too black to read the dipstick.

On the 600, at 600 miles too black to read dipstick.

 

At least it's not just mine that seems to get black a little early, also thanks for the link to Blackstone Labs. I have already requested my free sample kit and will likely do an analysis just to ease my mind ...or a least have a good defense when I go to the dealer.

 

you can check the oil for fuel by sending a sample in , or you can check it yourself for fuel by getting your dipstick and letting the oil drip on a clear piece of white paper , and viewing the drop, around the perimeter of the drop you will see clear fluid seperating the oil and fuel , if there was no fuel in the oil , it will have no clearing around the perimeter or seperation of fluids . do this all within a few mins. eventually the paper obsorbs the fuel and oil and you can't tell then.

 

My 02 2500 would keep the oil clean even at 3000 miles the new 600 I have turns the oil black real fast. Joel