I did
PM or IM same thing
you should have it

 

synthetic oil change intervals are typically longer.
it is def a owner decision to change every 3K, 5K,7.5K or 10K

 

I think black oil after a while is normal..... Just the soot getting mixed in there. I don't think that harms anything. It's not like a gasser with black oil, by any means.

Joe

 

Diesels are typically a less clean engine by nature. The sulfer in diesel makes the oil get dirty faster. That is why I am so glad to have the ULSD... HAHA... Also clean air will help keep it clean for longer, do you run in alot of dust and dirt?

 

It's not "Dirt". It's just soot. Don't confuse the two. My 6637 filters very well, and I'm not it a dusty area. Typical large city/suburban driving. ULSD or not, I can smoke ricers with the best of 'em with the DP Tuner.

 

If you look on the oil labels they brag about there soot capturing ability. Well the black you are seeing is that trapped soot. There is nothing wrong with it (as a matter of fact it's doing it's job) it just turns black quicker. Also on these trucks there is 1 quart or so of oil that's trapped in the HPOP. So 15 quarts of new oil mixes with 1 quart of old oil as soon as you crank it.
Joe

 

I've been changing my oil every 3000 Miles since I received my 01 in Nov 2000. I've always seen the oil black when changing it. Even after a few days after changing, it turning already.

 

My 2003 only starts to change color at about 3000 miles. Up to that point it's still golden and I run rotella T 15/40W. This is little comparison, I've owned this truck since it was new and it has less than 50,000 miles on it.

 

Long ago I went and had an oil class, it was for Amsoil, 20+ years ago. If your oil is not black, it is not working!!!! Oil has a detergent in it to help clean out the engine. As far as how black, I am going to run out and snap a picture of my dipstick right after this post, I just changed my oil ( amsoil ) and have it in there since the truck had 150 miles on it ( yes I know about break in ). If you have just switched to synthetic, it will take a while to get the varnish out of there. Photo is in the gallery.

 

OBX 7.3- If you want your oil to stay cleaner looking longer, add a bypass filter.

 

I'm going to disagree with you on that one. I have an OILGUARD bypass filter and my oil gets just as black as it did without it. With the bypass I'm adding 15 quarts of new golden oil to 2 quarts of black oil instead of just 1 quart. Doesn't matter if I change the bypass element or not.
Joe

 

Well mine stays pretty clean for a longer time with the bypass. I also have an oil guard but I change it, my full flow filter and my oil (rotella synthetic) every 10k. I've got 167k on my engine now and my oil stays pretty clean for about the first 4k miles then it starts looking blacker. I put the bypass on when I had about 30k on the engine and it definitely made a difference on mine. I know all engines react differently but this seems to work well for me. I don't have to add any oil in that 10k period either.

 

My oil is black about 200 miles after i change it.

 

I change mine every 4000 and it's as black as night.

I sent a sample to Blackstone about 10 months ago or so and the results were favorable. The oil is working.

 

I bought my truck new in June '01. I use RotellaT 15W/40 and have never gone over 4000 mi. on the oil. Mine gets dark in a hurry and has since new. Never gritty, just soot. My Blackstone reports have come back just fine and she runs as strong as ever. For your piece of mind, I would do an oil analysis and go from there. Personally, I don't think from what you describe that there is anything to trouble yourself over, but have the oil tested and then you'll know for sure.

Austin