I have a ‘15 DD15. Running synthetic rotella. The last few months the oil has had a red tint to it and the level keeps going up on my dipstick. Marked coolant reservoir and that has not gone down. Oil is not milky. Just got my analysis results back and it states the sample boiled when doing flashpoint test so positive for “water not coolant”. Anyone ever see this before? 945000 miles and 200000 on new head. Not sure what to check next. Thank you.
Question on engine oil and test running synthetic?
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by RItrucker36, May 26, 2023.
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You say that the level keeps going up. Are you draining off the excess or running with it overfilled?
Red Diesel, What is it?
It’s known as red dye, red fuel, farm fuel, off-road diesel and even cherry juice, and it’s the same ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) you’ll find at your local filling station. The only difference is that it’s been treated to an oil-soluble red dye for identification purposes. What purposes? Primarily taxes. Red diesel fuel is taxed significantly lower than regular diesel fuel (i.e. clear fuel, or non-dyed fuel) because it isn’t intended for on-highway use.Last edited: May 26, 2023
Rideandrepair Thanks this. -
I'd bet fuel. Get some dye and a blacklight
Rideandrepair and Magoo1968 Thank this. -
Here’s what they said and thank you all:
The oil did seem to have a red tint to it. Sometimes that's nothing notable, but we wonder if it
relates to the water we found. There was enough water to cause the sample to boil during the flashpoint
test (which means we can't speak on fuel dilution). The bottle also had a milky foam in it, which is fairly
common in oils that have been contaminated by water. We aren't sure the water is antifreeze since
potassium/sodium are the elemental markers for that and they're low, but if there's no other explanation, it
might be worth checking into nonethelessRideandrepair Thanks this. -
Stick your finger into the blowby tube. Water or coolant evaporates and will be noticed there because it rises. Milky or water droplets ypy'll know.
Fuel can be felt in the oil. Sounds weird, but think of the feeling a dry wine feels in your mouth, fuel in oil will feel similiar between two fingers.
You won't normally see coolant actually in the oil due to that evaporation, so you wouldn't be able to see it in a sample (unless severe) Often it will accumulate on the bottom of the fill plug.Last edited: May 26, 2023
RItrucker36 Thanks this. -
A drop of oil on a paper towel, any fuel will quickly separate and wick out around the oil.
AModelCat Thanks this.
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