Engine oil very dark

[Jrichard1987]

I have around 50 hrs on my boat and oil was changed at 13. Boat had about 30 hours on the oil when I noticed it was really dark. Just changed it at around 40 hr mark and it's pretty black. Is this normal???


Jordan
2014 moomba möbius lsv

[Jrichard1987]

I had a 4.3 merc 190hp bowrider before and through till 230 hrs it never got dark betwean 50hr changes was always clean like new


Jordan
2014 moomba möbius lsv

[Jrichard1987]

No opinions on this??? Guess no one cares about their oil other than level

[smorris7]

Each time I have changed mine at the 50 hr marks its been extremely dark. These engines work harder and are stressed more than your IO motors. That is why you change oil every 50 hrs.

[Jrichard1987]

Thanks! Feel better knowing I'm not the only one with dark oil. Seemed weird to me but just wanted some opinions to know if it's bormal

[rdlangston13]

Mine never looks dark on the dip stick but in the PELA 6000 it looks kind of dark.

[996scott]

I checked my oil level today out on the lake and it was a little low and dark. I've read that if you do a lot of surfing the engine works very hard and can burn some oil. I would guess that this would equate to darker oil as well. Just my guess

[mmandley]

You should have dark oil. That means it's doing it's job. I have never changed oil on any engine and not had dark oil. Even in my new F150 1k miles later the oil looks dirty and it's Full Synthetic 10k internal oil.

What you should do is smell it. If it's burnt smelling then change it. Oil doesn't burn until 300+ it breaks down 350-400. Your engine temp should never get over 200 and I seriously doubt the oil is ever over 250

[cornrickey]

As long as it isn't milky our smells of gas. Your good to go. If your still worried about it send in a sample to be analyzed

[Jrichard1987]

Thanks for all the responses! Agreed if it isn't broke don't fix it! Haha