Oil on dipstick clean/clear but not what comes out

lmichael

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Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
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Rockford IL area
So I had made a comment a while back at how clean the oil in my engine looked when I pull the dipstick. Well, I think I had about 60 hours (give or take a little) so decided an oil and filter change was in order. Got the Mityvac out and noticed what was coming up through the tube was pretty black. Not at all representative of what showed on the stick. SMH, weird thing to me.
 

Mark_BX25D

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Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
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If you checked it just after adding oil the clean oil could have been sitting on top of the old oil.

OR, maybe you were just drunk? :ROFLMAO:
 
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NCL4701

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Apr 27, 2020
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The engine oil in my Tier 4 L goes from relatively clear to black pretty quickly, but what comes out when I pull the drain plugs is the same color as what’s on the dipstick regardless what color that is; same as any other internal combustion engine I’ve ever dealt with. Clear on the dipstick and different color coming out of the sump… that’s pretty hard to figure being the dipstick projects into the sump. If someone has a good explanation for that I’d sure like to hear it.
 

Magicman

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M4900 Utility Special 4WD e/w FEL & 1530 John Deere "Traveling Man"
Oct 8, 2019
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It's just a thin coat on the dipstick and against the shiny dipstick looks clearer.
 
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ve9aa

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TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
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You're not checking the hydraulic fluid are you? (sorry, someone was thinking it and I got voted to type it)
 
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RBsingl

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Kubota F 2690 72" rear discharge deck, Deere 955
Jul 1, 2022
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I bought my first diesel pickup in 1995 and I had to get used to the oil turning black immediately after an oil change unlike my gas powered vehicles. It will look pretty clean on the dipstick, as explained by Magicman, but as soon as it starts circulating through the engine it is no longer going to look clean.

Rodger
 

lmichael

Active member

Equipment
Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
527
209
43
Rockford IL area
Yeah it wasn't due to adding. I've never had to add any. It doesn't leak or burn any. In any case it has a fresh fill. So next week it'll be off to Cherry Valley Bobcat for some more filters. And I think I will pick up some actual Kubota coolant. Last year when I did it I used a fresh NOS jug I found in my back garage of Mopar concentrate coolant. (Said long life on jug but not rated for truly long life like the newer stuff out now). I just figgered I'd use it since I needed to flush out the system. Maybe I'll do a new air filter as well since I did that last year and being gray it's hard to tell if it's dirt or not. Think I will ask dealer about that restriction gauge.