I just changed my oil and now it's dark - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

U. S. Male · 03-13-2006, 08:42 PM

Just changed the oil in my C50T....switched over to Shell Rotella T 5w40synthectic this afternoon and when I checked the level in the sight glass it appeared dark...what gives??

Kingby · 03-13-2006, 09:18 PM

Not an oil expert, but I recall synthetic will brown in colour when only used even slightly. It still is working as it should, it just isin't as easy to tell if the oil is dirty by the colour.

stp1971 · 03-13-2006, 09:54 PM

Shell Rotella oil has a dark tint to it anyways. Besides,, even if you drain all your old oil out there is still residual oil in the engine that gets trapped in valleys and in the low spots of the sump. The old oil will mix with the new oil and even a small amount will discolor fresh oil.

If the color bothers you then do a engine flush but the waste of about 12 quarts of oil is not worth it. Just do your oil changes at regular scheduled intervals and you will be fine. Besides..... darker oil makes it easier to see in the sight glass..

.

jackM50black · 03-13-2006, 11:50 PM

I use the same oil; Shell Rotella T Synthetic. About a year ago or so.. somebody had a link to a series (?) of articles by a chemical petroleum engineer about motorcycle oils and in particular synthetic oils. There were 3 top rated oils and then a second group of 3 that were still considered very good. Shell Rotella T Synthetic was one of the three top rated. I think the dark amber color is fairly normal, but I don't change my own oil... I got this lifetime free oil change from my nearby dealer when I bought my bike (I did pay extra for it).

texrider · 03-14-2006, 01:52 AM

Beware of using a 5W-anything that could be classified as "energy conserving". Look for those words in a circle logo on the container. These oils are known to produce clutch slippage in a wet clutch bike. The owner's manual briefly touches on this, but they should have it in bold print!

Danr · 03-14-2006, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texrider

Beware of using a 5W-anything that could be classified as "energy conserving". Look for those words in a circle logo on the container. These oils are known to produce clutch slippage in a wet clutch bike. The owner's manual briefly touches on this, but they should have it in bold print!

Shell Rotella is fine in a wet clutch system.

**Uncle Bob** · 03-14-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackM50black

I got this lifetime free oil change (I did pay extra for it).

Call you spell oxymoron ?

v0lusia · 03-14-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Call you spell oxymoron ?

MagnumForce · 03-14-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Call you spell oxymoron ?

O-X-Y-M-O-R-O-N... oxymoron! What do I win?

Danr · 03-14-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZridr1

O-X-Y-M-O-R-O-N... oxymoron! What do I win?

A free oil change ?

MagnumForce · 03-14-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danr

A free oil change ?

LMAO, good one!

**Clint** · 03-14-2006, 02:05 PM

Evaluating oil by sight has never been good practice. I know for a fact that Mobil 1 darkens almost immediately.

md2lgyk · 03-14-2006, 02:17 PM

It was explained to me that after you first switch to synthetic, the extra detergents and such in it will dissolve deposits of carbon and gunk that the regular oil wouldn't. That's why synthetic turns dark so quickly.

jackM50black · 03-15-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Call you spell oxymoron ?

Hey.... I resemble that remark !

**Uncle Bob** · 03-15-2006, 09:00 AM

Back to the oil, does it taste sweet or sour ?

DS06C50T · 03-17-2006, 04:04 AM

The dealership did the first oil change for me as part of the 600-mile check-up. From 1500 on I've done them myself and have used Shell Rotella-T 15w/40. It has that amber color, but stays pretty much that color. I've recently changed oil a third time @ the 3000 mark, using the same Shell Rotella-T 15w/40... same as before.... Oil looks good coming out. Not too black.

My $.02,
Daryl

U. S. Male · 03-17-2006, 01:41 PM

Yeah...that's me as well. I do my own because it's easier and cheaper not to take it to the Dealer...i'm really ashamed of myself though, after having put in the Shell Rotella 5x40 synthectic, i dumped it yesterday in opps for the Rotella 15w40 and you are right, it has an amber color.

I was just a little scared of the 5 weight on the shell synthetic although it would have been OK. Even though it goes up to 40 when it heats up I figured i'm going to change every 3K anyway.

03-13-2006, 08:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
U. S. Male Where Am I ? Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 C50T Location: Foley, Al Posts: 49	I just changed my oil and now it's dark Just changed the oil in my C50T....switched over to Shell Rotella T 5w40synthectic this afternoon and when I checked the level in the sight glass it appeared dark...what gives??

03-13-2006, 09:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Shell Rotella oil has a dark tint to it anyways. Besides,, even if you drain all your old oil out there is still residual oil in the engine that gets trapped in valleys and in the low spots of the sump. The old oil will mix with the new oil and even a small amount will discolor fresh oil. If the color bothers you then do a engine flush but the waste of about 12 quarts of oil is not worth it. Just do your oil changes at regular scheduled intervals and you will be fine. Besides..... darker oil makes it easier to see in the sight glass... __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

03-13-2006, 11:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackM50black Looking for trouble Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 258	I use the same oil; Shell Rotella T Synthetic. About a year ago or so.. somebody had a link to a series (?) of articles by a chemical petroleum engineer about motorcycle oils and in particular synthetic oils. There were 3 top rated oils and then a second group of 3 that were still considered very good. Shell Rotella T Synthetic was one of the three top rated. I think the dark amber color is fairly normal, but I don't change my own oil... I got this lifetime free oil change from my nearby dealer when I bought my bike (I did pay extra for it). __________________ This message brought to you by the workers at People's Tractor Factory No.5.

03-14-2006, 01:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
texrider Sprocket Pilot Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '04 Vulcan 2000, '05 VTX1800 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 866	Beware of using a 5W-anything that could be classified as "energy conserving". Look for those words in a circle logo on the container. These oils are known to produce clutch slippage in a wet clutch bike. The owner's manual briefly touches on this, but they should have it in bold print! __________________ "Sprocket to me, baby!"

03-14-2006, 02:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
md2lgyk Wants Better Weather Joined: May 2004 Bike: '03 Marauder 800 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 665	It was explained to me that after you first switch to synthetic, the extra detergents and such in it will dissolve deposits of carbon and gunk that the regular oil wouldn't. That's why synthetic turns dark so quickly. __________________ "The great object is, that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." - Thomas Jefferson

03-13-2006, 09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kingby Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Black M50 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 78	Not an oil expert, but I recall synthetic will brown in colour when only used even slightly. It still is working as it should, it just isin't as easy to tell if the oil is dirty by the colour.

03-15-2006, 09:00 AM	#15 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	Back to the oil, does it taste sweet or sour ? __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

03-17-2006, 04:04 AM	#16 (permalink)
DS06C50T Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Blvd. C50T (dark grey) Location: Ventura County, CA. Posts: 286	The dealership did the first oil change for me as part of the 600-mile check-up. From 1500 on I've done them myself and have used Shell Rotella-T 15w/40. It has that amber color, but stays pretty much that color. I've recently changed oil a third time @ the 3000 mark, using the same Shell Rotella-T 15w/40... same as before.... Oil looks good coming out. Not too black. My $.02, Daryl __________________ Daryl '06 C50T... full-time hard-bagger and true dual exhaust http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...r=DESC&start=0

03-17-2006, 01:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
U. S. Male Where Am I ? Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 C50T Location: Foley, Al Posts: 49	Yeah...that's me as well. I do my own because it's easier and cheaper not to take it to the Dealer...i'm really ashamed of myself though, after having put in the Shell Rotella 5x40 synthectic, i dumped it yesterday in opps for the Rotella 15w40 and you are right, it has an amber color. I was just a little scared of the 5 weight on the shell synthetic although it would have been OK. Even though it goes up to 40 when it heats up I figured i'm going to change every 3K anyway.

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