My engine oil is green color. Its normal?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the observation of green-colored engine oil after an oil change in an outboard engine. Participants explore whether this coloration is normal and the reasons behind it, considering both theoretical and practical aspects of engine oil characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that some brands of motor oil are greenish when new and suggests that the previous oil change may have used such a brand.
  • Another participant agrees that as long as the oil appears clean, the green color should not be a concern, although they express uncertainty about what causes the greenish hue.
  • A participant lists various brands of oil and their associated colors, mentioning that Stihl oil is marketed as biodegradable, which they view as a marketing strategy.
  • One participant questions whether the discussion is about engine oil or gear oil, indicating that gear oil typically has a greenish hue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that green-colored oil can be normal, especially if it appears clean. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the specific type of oil being discussed and the reasons for its coloration, indicating that multiple views remain on the topic.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific type of oil (engine oil vs. gear oil) and the implications of the green color, as well as the potential marketing strategies behind certain oil brands.

vtr1005
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
today i did a oil change on my outboard engine. i found out the oil is green, its normal? If yes, why the oil will be green color? because i fill the new oil is golden color.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Some brands of motor oil are greenish colored when "new". Maybe the previous oil change used one of those.

If the old oil looked "clean" (i.e. not dark colored sludge) I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I agree w/ AlephZero. I've used very greenish oil and as long as it is clean there's no problem. I don't know what goes in it that makes it greenish, but not to worry.
 
Klotz is red, Amzoil is green, Stihl oil is bright green, Echo oil is gold, Husqvarna oil is blue.
Oh those germans..Stihl says their green oil is 80%biodegradable in 21 days...good marketing ploy..me ... i save my old motor oil until Earth day when I have a huge bonfire. Old motor oil is great to start fire for my old race car tires...
 
Last edited:
vtr1005 said:
today i did a oil change on my outboard engine. i found out the oil is green, its normal? If yes, why the oil will be green color? because i fill the new oil is golden color.

If it is for the lower unit then they usually take gear oil which has a greenish hue (and stinky!). Are you perhaps talking about that or we discussing the engine oil?
 

Similar threads

Automotive Why Do BMW Engines Suffer from Rod Bearing Issues?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Automotive How long does engine oil really stay good?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Lifetime of an oil filter compressor
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Pistons have cracked and put a hole in the block
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Fluid dynamics: simulation of an oil system
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
At what point has the oil gone bad?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Construction of a model of a hydraulic damper
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
1K
Real-time engine simulation - oil temperature
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad On Mixing Colors of Light
  • · Replies 207 ·
7
Replies
207
Views
14K
Automotive Why is one of my engine's pressure gauges reading way off?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K