1.9 CDTi: 3,000 miles later and the oil is still clean

[Barlow]

1.9 - 120
I replaced the oil about 3k ago and it's still crystal clear, like I only put it in this morning. Halfords synth for Vx cars.

I've never seen this happen before on any vehicle (only owned petrols) and it's got me concerned that some of the galleys are clogged.
What say ye scurvy dogs!? is this normal do you think?

[Derek Mc]

I would agree it is more normal for the oil to get dirty as it indicates it is removing the crud as it contains high levels of detergent's but have seen this before on my old Mondeo TDdi after oil changes so perhaps it is OK?

[alcutler]

I would think its a sign that your engine is very clean and wouldn't worry too much - would have thought you would have had a problem before now if any thing was amiss - me hearty!!!

[chewy71]

mine too on both my CDTIs ... always looks new

[Barlow]

I agree Al, I would have expected something to go ping by now, it is odd though. However, if Dereks had it with a TDCi then I suppose it could be normal. And Chewy.
I suppose aside from stipping the engine down I'll never know if it's clogged or not.

[alcutler]

I usually find with cars I service that when you drain the old dirty oil out you never get it all out, obviously because of all the nooks and crannys it sits in, so when you put the fresh oil in it is usually slightly discoloured with the old oil right from the start although it is so diluted with the new that it won't do any harm. The filter change is as much important as the oil. I suppose the only answer is to use an engine flushing oil before you change but I have never done this myself.

[mickyh7]

Mine looks brand new after 3k as well.
Modern engine,modern oil ?

[Barlow]

Mine looks brand new after 3k as well.
Modern engine,modern oil ?

I suppose so after reading the posts here, but as Al said, you can never get all the oil so it discolours pretty quickly.
I'm now guessing that the Z19 is very well internally designed and you do get nearly all the oil when you drain it as oppossed to clogging which would leave pools of old oil in there to mix with the new.
*shrugs*

This could be indicitive of clogged oil ways. Dirty oil soon after a change = clogged oilways. Clean oil - clear oil ways.

[m8internet]

This confirms the oil filter is doing its job and is not yet saturated

[the-wizard]

So just out of interest! Are you changing the oil your self, what oil are you using & are you using genuine vx oil filters (this applies to all who said their oil is still clean looking), just to give us some idea if there's some pattern here?.