Color of engine oil.

[Kulwinder]

Hi,
I bought a Alfa Romeo 156 JTS 2.0 Ti 2004 model. About a week ago. Car had done 119900. Log books say it had timing belt done not even 1000km ago also Oil changed. But oil was too black. I bought it. And changed oil from local Machanic. I supplied oil and filter. I gave him penrite 10w70. Now car has 120600 and oil is black again.
My question is this common thing in this model? Or nature of synthetic oils? Or any bad news?

[Roger Smith]

This is a normal charactoristic of the JTS engine. I have a 2002 156 JTS with 150k on the clock which has always run black. Rest easy. 

[Al Campbell]

Read somewhere years ago that sometimes if oil had not been changed for yonks it may take 2 or 3 changes of oil and filters on short cycles, maybe a few thousand kms only, to flush or clean all the black crap out. Or Roger might be right.

[colcol]

I changed the oil in my JTS a few months ago, and overfilled it by about a litre, i drained about a litre of oil out of the sump, that was brand new oil, and it had started to turn black already.....
The JTS is a Direct Injection Engine, and suffers from crankcase dilution, if the oil is not changed on time and a lot of city running takes place, change the oil on time or sooner with city running or a lot of short runs.
The oil turning black means its cleaning all the crap out of the engine, Colin.

[Kulwinder]

Thanks for reply guys.
I took it to Alfa Machanic. As check engine light was coming on. He scanned it. It was catalytic converter. Guess what Machanic said it was not really cat, that was cam shafts. Causing cat to block. Ending up paying $1500 reconditioned cams done. He also changed oil and filter. Check engine didn't come up after that. But oil is black again. And car has 120800kms. so in last 1000kms 3 times oil change. One by previous owner, one by me straight after purchase and third while cam shafts done. 

[colcol]

Interesting about the camshafts, they usually just replace them with new ones, as, if you regrind them, the base circle size ends up too small and the hydraulic lifters don't work as well.
The other alternative is to reweld the lobes and regrind them, which is expensive, usually reserved for old expensive rare cars.
The camshaft wear is caused by the oil not being changed in a timely manner.
The oil gets contaminated and the engine is lubricated by nasties such as petrol and solvents.
The camshafts are the first thing to wear out as they are a high load item.
I have been told that they idle ok, but because the lobes are no longer there, they don't open the valves enough and performance suffers.
JTS Alfa Romeo's are not the only cars to suffer from extreme camshaft wear, pushrod Falcon 6's were shocking for this as well, Colin.

[Steve S]

Don't worry about the oil turning black, it really does not mean a lot. The oil itself does not turn black, it is the soot and other deposits suspended within the oil. The oil is designed to cope with this. Its better for the oil to suspend the soot than have it stick to your internal engine components.

[Kulwinder]

Colcol, he reweld and regrind. And all expense was 1500. But for new one he said 1200 each plus labour.
I went there only to get scanned that check engine error, which was coming due catalytic. He said it definitely because of shafts. And pulled the cover off. And I seen couple of them were worn out. He suggested me get it reconditioned as it was cheaper.


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[colcol]

If it does the trick, then why not a weld and regrind, now remember to change the oil on time.
When i purchased my JTS, i started reading all these horror stories about worn camshafts, and i was worrying myself the first time i took the camshaft cover off and everything was good, the cams had no wear what so ever.
Put some performance cams in a Sud once and to get more lift, they welded the lobes and reground the cam, with the same base circle, so the tappets will still reach, Colin.

[Kulwinder]

When I went back there to pick up my car. He had already finished the job and parked my car outside. So I didn't see reconditioned shafts. So how can I check if has done shafts. Should I pull the cover off.?


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[colcol]

If it is running allright, with no noises and plenty of power, then its most likely been done properly, curious to know who did the cams, Crow, Wade or Clive Cams?, just for anybody else that WILL need their cams doing one day.
The cam covers are hold in by a few ribe screws, if you are going to remove it, have a new gasket to put on when you replace it, Colin.

[Kulwinder]

I got to Alfamen. They are based at Brooklyn on Geelong Rd.


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[Kulwinder]

Do you live in Melbourne col?


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[colcol]

Certainly do, see you at Federation Sqaure next Sunday, but no 156 JTS, but will be bringing proper Alfa Romeo 1984 1.5 33 TI, plenty of 156's already, Colin.

[Garibaldi]

I will be seeing you at Federation Square Col where we can continue our discussion on which oil, tyres, fuel, gas conversion, cleaning products, Alfa Romeo Dealer, suspension upgrades, engine mods, racing developments, service provider, insurance company should I use?