I've had my 05 for 9 years now and always after an oil change the oil only stays clean or clear for a short few miles. It turns dark very quickly and when I check the oil it must be washed off my skin
. I've never thought this was a problem since it is diesel. However my brother in law has a 7.3 Ford and he says his oil stays clear for a long time after a change. What's up?? Both of us use Rotella.

 

Yours has been molested by the EPA, his hasn't. I want to say pre-2004 stays clean a while, but I don't remember exactly when the EPA started introducing the smog abatement onto the Diesels.

 

His being a 7.3 makes it pre 2003 so I suppose since mine is 2005 there would be a difference in EPA molestation. Does anyone else notice the oil turning really black shortly after an oil change?? If so what model year do you have?

 

Common rail; Cummins oil,............ spooked me when i changed the oil the 1st time; i was sure it was WAY past due!
EPA, high psi common rail injection, In-cylinder EGR, are reasons i have heard... I dont think it hurts the engine, but it looks bad

 

Despite the appearance of the oil in my '07,the Blackstone results are nearly identical to the 98.5 I had. I retained the printouts for awhile.

 

do they check soot levels?

It looks diff!! [i also had a 98.5]

 

So may I assume everyone who owns a Cummins observes the oil turning black very quickly after an oil change???????

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...-black-233247/

 

Immediately black oil - it's normal. Welcome to the club, sign in and grab a donut from the snack table.

If you're curious about soot levels, have an UOA done to see the #s (Yes, Blackstone includes that reading). Chances are the level is fine in respect to the mileage on that oil interval. Mine is.

 

Mine turns black as soon as I crank it and let it sit to check oil after change.

 

Yep Black immediately after oil change. Everyone I know with a 5.9 says same thing. No worries, just record all maintenance in your book and the mileage because you cant tell by looking.

 

Not only the oil but when I use the shop parts cleaner it turns the cleaner black really fast. Soot or hydrocarbons is the reason. The oil holds the soot particles in suspension. That's why diesel oil is different then oil used in gasoline vehicles, the ability to hold the soot particles in the oil without causing engine wear or damage. 7000 miles seems to be the limit on diesel oils, most diesels engines should not exceed that mileage before oil change.

 

Soot.. all new Diesels are going this way, and new CJ-4 Oils are designed to hold this soot into suspension..