puzzled by engine oil colour

[macafee2]

Very loosely car related

About a year ago I bought a ride on mower.
As we are in the new season I thought I'd do an oil change.
The oil is still golden, it is like new. I am quite surprised by this.
Is it lack of use that has not turned the oil black?
I'll still do the oil change as oil is the blood of an engine.

Just curious as to why it is not black.

thanks


macafee2

[Ed3]

I thought one reason modern engine oil goes black is the detergent as an ingredient in the modern engine oil that cleans and so the oil gets dirty. Could it be the oil in the mower does not have detergent?

[Ducati750cc]

Originally Posted by macafee2

Very loosely car related

About a year ago I bought a ride on mower.
As we are in the new season I thought I'd do an oil change.
The oil is still golden, it is like new. I am quite surprised by this.
Is it lack of use that has not turned the oil black?
I'll still do the oil change as oil is the blood of an engine.

Just curious as to why it is not black.

thanks


macafee2

Is it fairly new and petrol? what make is the engine ?


Oil turning black is mainly caused by combustion products soot etc entering the crankcase due to piston blow-by, which occurs even with a brand new engine.


Is it a pressured oil system or splash lubrication ?


Water cooled or air cooled ?



Modern engines are machined to finer tolerances, are cleaner burning and have efficient crankcase ventilation systems, which all help to reduce oil degradation.



When you think of the low mileage, hours run, the mower engine does in a year compared to a car, it's minimal,unless you've got a vast acreage to mow, even though it possibly amounts to the equivalent of a few days out in the car. 😉


It would possibly be OK changing it next year, but nothings ever lost by changing oil.

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by Ducati750cc

Is it fairly new and petrol? what make is the engine ?


Oil turning black is mainly caused by combustion products soot etc entering the crankcase due to piston blow-by, which occurs even with a brand new engine.


Is it a pressured oil system or splash lubrication ?


Water cooled or air cooled ?



Modern engines are machined to finer tolerances, are cleaner burning and have efficient crankcase ventilation systems, which all help to reduce oil degradation.



When you think of the low mileage, hours run, the mower engine does in a year compared to a car, it's minimal,unless you've got a vast acreage to mow, even though it possibly amounts to the equivalent of a few days out in the car. 😉


It would possibly be OK changing it next year, but nothings ever lost by changing oil.

Thanks for the reply. Mower bought new last year, air cooled. No idea if splash or pressurised, probably which ever is the cheapest to make.

macafee2

[xsport]

I think your used to seeing used diesel oil. !! The mowers oil should still be good unless there is considerable wear, which i doubt ,as you only bought it last year and its not a daily driver .... is it ? My petrol kv6 engine still has honey golden brown oil in the sump after 6 months regular usage , due to the LPG that i use. New diesel oil only takes a few weeks to turn black , petrol quite a while longer , and your little mower with small usage a good while ...

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by xsport

I think your used to seeing used diesel oil. !! The mowers oil should still be good unless there is considerable wear, which i doubt ,as you only bought it last year and its not a daily driver .... is it ? My petrol kv6 engine still has honey golden brown oil in the sump after 6 months regular usage , due to the LPG that i use. New diesel oil only takes a few weeks to turn black , petrol quite a while longer , and your little mower with small usage a good while ...

you could be right, used to seeing oil from a diesel

macafee2

[grivas]

Originally Posted by macafee2

Very loosely car related

About a year ago I bought a ride on mower.
As we are in the new season I thought I'd do an oil change.
The oil is still golden, it is like new. I am quite surprised by this.
Is it lack of use that has not turned the oil black?
I'll still do the oil change as oil is the blood of an engine.

Just curious as to why it is not black.

thanks


macafee2

What does the user/service manual say about oil changes, do the manufacturers have any recommendations or suggestions?. Golden clear oil is good.

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by grivas

What does the user/service manual say about oil changes, do the manufacturers have any recommendations or suggestions?. Golden clear oil is good.

Annually or every 50 hours which ever is the sooner so for me it will be annually. At the very least I'd do it annually.

I was just surprised to see it still so golden and clear

macafee2