2 mths ago I had an oil change. I checked the oil level after 2K miles and noticed...read on please....?

Question

dark oil on the bottom of the stick and light oil above it? Does anyone know what is the cause of this? I did have my oil filter changed too.

My son thought the dealer might have NOT changed the oil filter and that the old oil has settled to the bottom of the sump. But I don't agree, just a thought of his.

Comments please....

Thank you.

Answer 1

most likely the dealer DID change ur oil and filter. the darker oil is probably sludge building up. if u have an aluminum engine block the oil can break down much faster. for example the lexus rx350 compact suv has a solid aluminum engine. my friend had his entire engine replaced twice in 30k mi, because the dealer said it shouldn't happen but it does with any block that transfers heat very well.  it happens a lot. get the oil changed again anyways. a flush wouldn't hurt either. if not sludge u might wanna do compression test to see if ur getting any burning around the piston rings or valves.  

Answer 2

One of the purposes of oil is to clean the engine.  Therefore, it is perfectly normal for the oil to become dirty over time as the filter won't be as effective after 2k miles, that's the reason you change the oil and the filter.  Heavier materials like metal dust in the oil will sink to the bottom.  Just make sure you check it often and do scheduled oil changes and you'll be fine.

Answer 3

if its white in the oil and on the oil cap its a headgasket leakin coolant if not just you have bad sludge buildup and run chevron oil in it and change every 3000 miles and this will clean it out, if it uses oil doin this its good and will soon stop leaks and using.

Answer 4

the oil filter woudn't leave enough old oil for it to show.

In my opinion, when they did the oil change they did not remove all the old oil.

Answer 5

Old oil and new oil dont separate. The old oil just mixes with the new within a few miles of driving. You may have a more serious problem. You may have a leak in your cooling system and anti-freeze is getting into your oil. Both are oily but will not mix. Have a reputable shop check this out rite away. If left to get worse, it could cost you your engine

Answer 6

What your son said sounds about right .. Take it back and demand they fix the problem before your car breaks down

Answer 7

You will not see old and new oil seperate.  They will just mix.  If the lighter color is a foamy light brown or biege color it sounds like a moisture problem.  It could be caused by a bad head gasket leaking coolant into the oil.  See if your coolant is low.  Keep checking it to see if it gradually goes down.  It may do it very slowly if it is not a bad leak.  You can have a shop pressure test the cooling system too to see if there is a problem.  Don't wait too long.  If it is a gasket it could get worse very fast.

Answer 8

You have nothing to worry about. If you truly are concerned, just have the oil changed again.  

Answer 9

HI

Well after 2,000 miles the oil well be getting a little dirty depending on how old the care is and how good the maintenance was. The oil is just thicker at the bottom of the stick and looks darker than the oil at the top of the mark. If you look at the oil on the stick you well see a film of oil at the top and a drip of oil at the bottom the drip is thicker and well look darker..  As new oil gets used up it cleans the particles in the motor and turns dark and at 2000, miles you almost ready for another change..

FYI if any old oil was left in the motor it would be mixed up with the new oil anyway and it would all be the same color. Just like if you left a little  black paint in a can and poured in some white and mixed it up it wouldn't be as white as it was but still white.

Hope this Helps

Tim