Oil looks cleaner at operating temp

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My engine oil looks almost transparent when the engine is at operating temp and it looks slightly dark when the engine is cold.

What causes this? The oil additives are the ones responsible for this I guess. And also the dirt falls down in to the pan when the engine is cold.

What are your thoughts?
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
Splain the mechanics of that MERK.


When the engine is at operating temp, even though the engine is presently shut off with most of the oil (but not all the oil) back in the pan, the oil is still more spread out throughout the engine. When the oil is more spread out, so is the dirt. With cold oil, most of the dirt is at the bottom of the pan where the dipstick is.
 
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Why is there dirt in your oil!?


Because he uses those inefficient XPs.
laugh.gif
 
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Why is there dirt in your oil!?


Because he uses those inefficient XPs.
laugh.gif



crackmeup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
The oil film is thinner on the dip stick when the oil is hot.

I lean towards this answer.
In my riding mower I use QuickSilver 25w40 oil. Going in cold it looks pretty viscous, coming out hot it flows like water.
So lower oil viscosity at operating temperature will seem more transparrent on the dipstick due to thinner film.
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
Splain the mechanics of that MERK.


stick a knife in a bowl of maple syrup at room temperature, pull it out and look at it

stick it in a bowl of warm maple syrup

cold clings more, thicker layer is darker
 
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