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Old 03-13-2006, 08:42 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default 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??

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Old 03-13-2006, 09:18 PM   #2 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 03-13-2006, 09:54 PM   #3 (permalink)
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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...
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Old 03-13-2006, 11:50 PM   #4 (permalink)
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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).
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Old 03-14-2006, 01:52 AM   #5 (permalink)
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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!
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Old 03-14-2006, 06:14 AM   #6 (permalink)
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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.

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Old 03-14-2006, 08:47 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jackM50black
I got this lifetime free oil change (I did pay extra for it).
Call you spell oxymoron ?
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Old 03-14-2006, 09:19 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Bob
Call you spell oxymoron ?
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Old 03-14-2006, 09:25 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Bob
Call you spell oxymoron ?
O-X-Y-M-O-R-O-N... oxymoron! What do I win?
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Old 03-14-2006, 09:33 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZridr1
O-X-Y-M-O-R-O-N... oxymoron! What do I win?
A free oil change ?
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Old 03-14-2006, 09:35 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
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A free oil change ?
LMAO, good one!
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Old 03-14-2006, 02:05 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Evaluating oil by sight has never been good practice. I know for a fact that Mobil 1 darkens almost immediately.

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Old 03-14-2006, 02:17 PM   #13 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 03-15-2006, 01:08 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Bob
Call you spell oxymoron ?
Hey.... I resemble that remark !
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Old 03-15-2006, 09:00 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Back to the oil, does it taste sweet or sour ?
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Old 03-17-2006, 04:04 AM   #16 (permalink)
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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,
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Old 03-17-2006, 01:41 PM   #17 (permalink)
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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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