When it comes to car maintenance, it can be easy to overlook oil inspection even when you have the best intentions. At a glance, oil checks might seem minor, but skipping out on this process can end up costing you more in the long run. After all, these checks are pretty essential for many reasons. For starters, they will help you keep tabs on your engine and will help you decide when it's time to actually change your car's oil. And with this insight, you can protect your engine from expensive repairs
— like blown gaskets and warped engine parts — usually resulting from dirty oil.
With that said, when inspecting your engine oil, you'll probably be on the lookout for the usual dark black or golden brown color. After all, when new, oil should have an amber color, and when dirty, it should have a dark brown color. Sometimes, however, some colors can catch you completely off-guard. For instance, if you're checking your dipstick and notice that the engine color has shifted to blue and green, you may wonder if it's a big deal. Sure enough, when this happens, you should arrange for a professional inspection.
So, what does that shift in oil color mean? Now, the color of your engine oil can actually tell you more about your vehicle's engine. For instance, if the oil shifts to a green or blue hue, that's a red flag indicating coolant contamination. And while this might not seem like a big issue at first, if your engine oil and coolant mix, it can create serious engine issues, including total failure.
Read more: 6 American Cars With JDM Engines Under The Hood
Why Is Your Engine Oil Green Or Blue? Here's What It Could Mean
If you own a high-performance car and the engine oil turns green and there are no other issues like reduced car performance or oil leaks, don't worry. That unusual color might just be part of your engine's oil color. In fact, some manufacturers usually equip high-performance or racing oils with additives to boost engine efficiency and reduce friction. Some even go to the extent of equipping oils with green dyes for identification purposes.
On the flip side, a green or blue engine oil color could suggest a coolant leak into the oil system. This typically happens if your vehicle has a damaged head casket, a failing oil cooler, or a cracked engine block. If you notice the sudden change in color or hard-to-miss telltale signs like white smoke from the exhaust and mediocre performance, inspect your car for both internal and external leaks. Otherwise, this kind of leak will wreak havoc on your engine.
What To Do If Your Engine Oil Is Green Or Blue
As mentioned earlier, if your engine oil turns green, blue, or even dark black, that's an obvious sign that something's wrong. However, before you venture into changing the oil, it's best you look out for other warning signs that could help pinpoint the root of the issue. If a sweet smell comes from the engine bay and the exhaust produces white smoke, those are signs of a coolant leak. You'll also want to check for other signs like a milky film under the oil cap and a drop in performance.
Next, if any of those signs are present, you'll want to prioritize your safety and that of your car. Turn off the engine immediately and contact a certified mechanic. Not only will driving with compromised oil (whether due to old age, low levels, leaks, or contamination) reduce your car's performance, but it might also cause significant engine damage. It's not worth the risk to "just make it home." Of course, if you have enough experience under the hood, you can try to diagnose the issue and change the oil yourself. You just need to make sure that you follow expert instructions like those given in this step-by-step guide on how to change the oil in your car yourself.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
