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Don't confuse oil color with sludge Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:53:39
In Reply to: Re: Low oil level or low oil pressure?, Chris S., Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:38:26 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Sludge is a particle/gunk buildup in the oil pan. The color of oil is due to a lot of things. For one, oil changes color when it's heated. That's normal, and not a sign of bad oil. Just oil that's gone through a few heating cycles. The moisture content of oil will also affect its color. Moisture content is a function of how long the engine has been run at full (normal) temp and weather conditions. If the engine has been on a lot of short trips, there will be more water in the oil, and that can contribute to a murky color.
To check for sludge, Anders sticks a coat hanger down the drain tube and drags it around. See what is on the end. But you aren't going to see sludge in the oil you drain out. Now, if you strain the drained oil, you might see particles - that would be a sign of sludge buildup. These would be fairly large particles.
Being down a quart in 3000 miles is no big deal. Down a quart in 1000 miles is no big deal, and on an engine that's been around the world six times, even more a no big deal (?) Running a quart low isn't a good idea, as the sump in the Saab isn't that big. I'd make a habit of checking the oil level more frequently. Low oil level contributes to oil heating (less oil, just as much heat = hotter oil) and degradation. Also, low oil level isn't great for timing chain health. I'd check the oil regularly and top it off - I keep mine right at the MAX line.
I'm sure you're leaking a little, and burning a little past the rings, valve guides, and turbo seals. Heck, I've burned a quart every 1K miles in new engines, just breaking in. High oil consumption is when you can see it out the back; very high oil consumption is when you can't see anything out the back - like the cars following you. That's on the order of a quart every 100 miles or less.
Reminicent of a Burt Lahr (the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz) joke. A woman fainted on the set and was brought into his dressing room by the doctor. The doctor was asking the woman questions, and each time Burt said, Hey, I'm feeling that way, too! Finally, the doctor said, "I'm trying to tell if this woman is pregnant."
Don't look for trouble unnecessarily.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 05:52:23, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:53:39 <-- Viewing This Message
, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 05:33:22
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