SuzukiSavage.com - Help! Black oil

Ooh_S40_Shiney

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Help! Black oil
07/29/06 at 16:58:36

Okay, I have an 05 S40 with 8400 miles.
Had Tune and oil change at 7500.

At 8000 miles, oil was extremely dark, but I did not change it for another 300 miles.

Changed oil and filter today at 8300 mi.
Oil in sight glass looked perfectly clean.
Rode 100 miles of mixed interstate and stop-and-go.
Checked oil after 100 mi.
Just as black as what I changed this morning. Not thick goopy, just black.

I put the first 7500 miles last fall and winter, and I never had black oil between checks or changes. It has been extremely hot (~100) degress the last few weeks when I ride. Could this be the cause ? I can't change oil every time I ride, but I'm afraid to damage the engine when it looks like that.

I would appreciate any advice.
I've been using non-syn 10W-40 motorcycle oil according to user's guide. I'm not trying to start a discussion on oil types, I just want to know if black oil in 100 miles is normal in 100+ temps, and how often should I change it when it turns.

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911radioman Ex Member	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #1 - 07/29/06 at 17:59:47 If it were me, I'd change the oil again just to flush a bit more gunk out. My personal regimen is I change my oil about every 2,000 miles. Oil is cheap, engines are not so it is worth my while to inconvenience myself and change the oil more often.
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enophile Full Member Offline 1998 Savage, black, mostly stock Posts: 116 Morgantown, WV Gender:	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #2 - 07/29/06 at 18:01:40 Oil will dirty more quickly in extreme high temperatures so the summer heat could be a factor. Are you using the same brand of oil you've always used or something different?
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Ed L.

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Re: Help! Black oil
Reply #3 - 07/29/06 at 19:42:16

The oil in my '02 gets pretty black after only 1,000 miles, still feels slippery but looks cruddy. I think southern riding heats up the engine and oil more than the cooler climates. I'm still changing the oil every 2,000 miles but am thinking about dropping it down to every 1,500 miles. I've always wondered how much of the old oil is left in the engine after a change to color the fresh stuff so it looks worse than it is.

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SavageDude Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Posts: 561 OC_California Gender:	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #4 - 07/29/06 at 20:07:31 There are chemical added inside new oil that turn black as soon as 50 miles of use. This is normal. If you are so afraid of ruining the engine, then change the oil every 3 months. OIL IS CHEAP and replacing your engine is expensive; so pick your choice.
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6226 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #5 - 07/29/06 at 21:33:20 learned this on my last oil change..warm up bike... drain all oil you can with bike on side stand then remove filter (try not to spill on exhaust) wipe out any oil left in housing stand bike up level drain remaining oil theres about a tenth of a quart (200ml)still in there ..oil with filter change should take 2.1 quarts(2000ml)...
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necropsy Full Member 2005 No Login Offline Suzuki '05 S40 Posts: 173 Barrie, Ontario, Canada Gender:	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #6 - 07/30/06 at 04:58:51 I usually lean my bike as far right as I can after draining the oil (til the peg touches) several times to get as much oil out as I can. Even then, with a filter change, 2L over fills it.
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PA KID Ex Member	Re: Help! Black oil Reply #7 - 07/30/06 at 06:18:12 I use Amsoil 10/40 and it gets discolored after a couple thousand miles,since it's an air cooled engine i want a good synthetic oil that won't breakdown like convential oil.
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WD

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Re: Help! Black oil
Reply #8 - 07/30/06 at 08:43:45

Air cooled engine. Summer temps. You'd be money ahead to run 15W40 or 20W50... My Savage thrives on a year round diet of Castrol GTX 20W50 dino juice, car type.

I'm switching my liquid cooled bike to a heavier oil this week. 10W40 just isn't cutting it now. I'm down to topping out at an indicated 75 mph in fifth gear, can hit 110 indicated in third in cooler temps. That lightweight stuff is ruining my engine.
-WD

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