engine oil colour

[Hagar1]

Well, I ran into a new one today. Recently bought a new to me vehicle and decided that it was time to change the oil. I pulled the plug but as I usually do, it just took it out a bit to make sure the stream will go into the pan. I was quite surprised to see RED oil coming out. I stuck the plug back in, double checked that it was indeed the engine. Pulled the dipstick and YES, the oil on it was red. Darn near the same shade as ATF. I had not seen this before.
Any ideas from the illustrious group?

 

[chopperman1]

That's not good. How's your coolant level? Pretty much the only thing that will turn oil red. Another possibility is the PO filled it with Marvel Mystery Oil.

 

[aszumilo]

Might want to change it and send a sample in for an oil analysis.

 

[Burla]

It shouldn't be manu dye like the green or purple oils, it is supposed to be a NoNo to use red but who knows these days? It is "probably" atf there is an long lived tale atf cleans better then engine oil. I'd just change it and see what happens, keep a sample put aside. atf is not proper for lubrication, it is even thinner then 5w20 by a couple points and doesn't contain the right additives.

 

[mikeru]

Just trying to wrap my head around something and wondering how long you've had this truck. You bought a used vehicle and never checked the oil? I'd think you would notice that it was red the first time you checked the oil level. No judgement intended. I know lots of people who do none of their own maintenance. But the fact that you were doing your own oil change tells me you're not one of those types of people.

 

[Hagar1]

Just trying to wrap my head around something and wondering how long you've had this truck. You bought a used vehicle and never checked the oil? I'd think you would notice that it was red the first time you checked the oil level. No judgement intended. I know lots of people who do none of their own maintenance. But the fact that you were doing your own oil change tells me you're not one of those types of people.

I just bought it used, it actually is a grand caravan. Didn't smell like ATF and I know what that smells like. I've rebuilt plenty of automatic transmissions in my life. Whatever it was, it seemed to be pretty decent oil. I run Castrol 5w20 plus a can of liquid moly on every oil change. Whatever that red stuff was, it was good.

 

[aszumilo]

Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil, has a slight reddish tint due to its additives. Could that be it?

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Red?! What oil doesn't come out black after a few hundred/thousand miles.

Even if it was ATF; going in; it would come out black after awhile.

You sure you don't have a drain plug on the transmission pan and you drained the transmission fluid???????????

That sound more likely than anything else.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Oil probably didn't have many miles on it......some oils start to turn red before they turn brown, then dark brown to black after so many miles.

 

[ppine]

Is Red Line oil red?
Sure its not the trans?

 

[Hagar1]

Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil, has a slight reddish tint due to its additives. Could that be it?

I'm just guessing here, but yes, it could very well be. The oil change reminder sticker was from an oil change shop in Ottawa. I just recently bought the vehicle and was servicing it.

 

[Hagar1]

Red?! What oil doesn't come out black after a few hundred/thousand miles.

Even if it was ATF; going in; it would come out black after awhile.

You sure you don't have a drain plug on the transmission pan and you drained the transmission fluid???????????

That sound more likely than anything else.

Well, I rebuilt my first automatic transmission back in 1972 and lost count of the ones that I've done since. Pretty sure it wasn't ATF.
Oil, if changed often enough doesn't necessarily come out "black." Back in the days of ESSO Uniflo oil, it came out not all that much different from when it went in.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

You have a 2012 - new to you truck. Do you really think it is so spotless that red motor oil would go in red and also come out red?

 

[Hagar1]

You have a 2012 - new to you truck. Do you really think it is so spotless that red motor oil would go in red and also come out red?

I guess you missed the opening line, "I just bought it used, it is a grand caravan"

 

[Zoe Saldana]

I guess you missed the opening line, "I just bought it used, it is a grand caravan"
We're you born arrogant or was it a learned attribute?

You have a new to you Grand Caravan. Do you really think the engine is so spotless that red motor oil would go in red and also come out red?

 

[Burla]

Is Red Line oil red?
Sure its not the trans?

Slight hint of red by nature, no dyes. I'm sure this fella had trans fluid in there. Like many of us know, it is used in engines for cleaning, although mis guided, it is still popular. Likely wont hurt anything/

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Slight hint of red by nature, no dyes. I'm sure this fella had trans fluid in there. Like many of us know, it is used in engines for cleaning, although mis guided, it is still popular. Likely wont hurt anything/

View attachment 548743

Dodge Grand Caravans have a transmission pan plug at the bottom of the pan. I think the OP opened that and not the motor oil plug.

 

[Wild one]

You sir are sure making it tough to like you

 

[G-Ride990]

Thread moved to other vehicle discussions being a Caravan,

Keep the discussion on topic and leave personal attacks out of it.

 

[Hagar1]

Slight hint of red by nature, no dyes. I'm sure this fella had trans fluid in there. Like many of us know, it is used in engines for cleaning, although mis guided, it is still popular. Likely wont hurt anything/

View attachment 548743

Redline, that is probably it. That would explain the reddish hue to the old oil. Thanks! I only use Castrol 5w20 plus a can of liquid moly in my vehicles.