X5 E53 3.0d - Oil Change, but soon so dirty?

[romeokc10]

It has been said for years and years, the color of an oil has absolutely nothing to do with what condition the oil is in. An oil can be black as night, but that doesn't mean it's dirty nor does it mean it has lost its lubrication properties. You simply cannot tell the condition an oil by looking at it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

It has been said for years and years, the color of an oil has absolutely nothing to do with what condition the oil is in. An oil can be black as night, but that doesn't mean it's dirty nor does it mean it has lost its lubrication properties. You simply cannot tell the condition an oil by looking at it.

Absolutely true, with the qualifier that if it is a milky white colour, you can tell something about its condition due to the water in it.

[Salty_Dog]

Thanks guys, appreciate the input. Now feeling a lot better.
Is it a diesel only thing or true of both petrol and diesel engines?

I say that after years of changing my motorbikes engine oil after 4 rides, it used to come out about as clean as it went in.

[motordavid]

Diesel thing...
My 3 scoots' oil gets changed once a year whether they need it or not, and my two Hondas' oil looks as good coming out, as it did going in...not so much on my ol' 1975 HD Shovelhead however, lol!

[JCL]

Both.

Colour of the oil doesn't indicate quality in either type of engine

But a diesel can turn new oil black very quickly, more so than a gasoline engine, due to the soot.

[Salty_Dog]

Thanks for the reassurance.
I'm feeling a lot better now.
I was mortified when i dumped the old oil and just as disappointed when i checked the new oil the very next day.
Sorry, i realise it is a very newbie thing to be asking, just got concerned, especially being a Turbo vehicle.

I'll keep to the 10,000K oil & filter changes and hope the old girl hangs in there.

Looking forward to getting a new Air Filter in her, hate to think what the old one looks like.

[beamertruck]

I used to use Rotella in my old ram 5.9L cummins TD and in the ford 6.4 TD and the oil would stay pretty clean up until about 4-5k miles. The Amsoil stays pretty clean up until 5k miles but like everyone else said in a diesel oil will always get dirty. I should show you pictures from the Semi truck lol

[powers1]

"

Originally Posted by beamertruck

I used to use Rotella in my old ram 5.9L cummins TD and in the ford 6.4 TD and the oil would stay pretty clean up until about 4-5k miles.

Thank you beamertruck for the input!Thats why I bothered to take a picture of the oil in my 3.0D to show the OP that the oil shouldnt be completely back straight after he changed it,if the oil is of good quality.This engine works with fully synthetic 5w30 or 0w40 ,not 15w40 mineral!
As well as doing my own ,I see mechanics everyday do oil changes on 3.0D engines and none of the oil comes out completely black,more of a greish dark brown colour.The 3.OD is a "clean" engine for a diesel and not your old soot tractor!
The 3.0D engine ,unlike the TDIs, ony became available for sale in the US ,after the US diesel producers got their act together and made a diesel with higher spec and quality and good enough to be run in these engines! !
In fact the latest models with DPF ,even required the leading oil producers to make a special oil for it!If correct oil is used , it never goes black!

[bcredliner]

You can tell something from the flow of the oil. If you compare new oil to the oil removed, assuming it is the same oil, the flow will be quite different if it was due to be changed.

[Riggodeaux]

I notice the label on your oil doesn't show it meeting a BMW diesel oil certification. For us Yanks, I believe its LL-03 for the newer US-certified BMW diesels, but don't take my word for it. I'm not familiar with diesel fuel quality and emissions standards down under, but ULSD [ultra low sulpur diesel] fuel in the US, since 2006 or so has called for more sophisticated oil in diesels [we had a Benz diesel sedan and older Ford diesel trucks]. Oil in diesels turns black faster, no question, I wouldn't judge by colour. You do need to be very cognizant of proper air filters and having a properly sealed air box with turbo diesels, which suck air and risk 'dusting' damage. Not owning a bimmer diesel, sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully a diesel owner [like Greg in Switzerland or one of our UK posters] can chime in.