Other than the grossest of viscosity comparison, eyes and fingers are not oil analysis equipment. I'd flatly disregard any "data" acquired in such a fashion.

Also keep in mind that the kid that changes oil and rotates tires may well be much less experienced than a "mechanic."

__________________
617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

If the kid is unfamiliar with the oil change from an IDI diesel crankcase fresh oil change oil would look horrible. ..

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I'm OK with bypass filters to polish the oil, but I'd never use toilet paper as an element. Toilet paper is designed to come apart when wet. Moisture in the oil will cause fibers to break free. This can cause piston squirters or any small oiling orifice to become clogged.

Yeah, use diesel rated oil.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

also use a diesel rated mechanic.

Charlie

sent from my pos computer

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

^ lol...

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

This is what I go by too. Oils are hydroscopic, meaning they collect or absorb water. Need to heat them up to operating temp for about 20 minutes or so. On the 300 Sls (Gullwings) I've read they have an 8 quart sump. In the US owners only fill to 5 quarts. The car was designed to run 130 mph or faster on the Autobahn for serveral hours at a time. So, here in the US, the oil wouldn't get to temp.
I don't see anything the OP is doing wrong. Is using Rotella T5 (semi synthetic), running about one 1 hour trip every week, so heat temp. I am guessing a southern climate (as to 'swamp' in location). I do use a block heater in the early spring and late fall (240D). I also use a lighter oil 10W-30 Rotella at that time. I don't drive it in the snow. So a block heater might help on the short trips, but is a bit of an inconvenience.

You can do a mild Italian tune up at low speeds, just drop a gear for a while and let the revs go up. For example-3rd gear at 50mph, etc.

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

^ I'm thinking the same thing, it's the rpm, not the speed.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

The car will be under more load in top gear at highway speeds than in a reduction gear at street speeds. The higher load means more fuel injected. That means higher cylinder temps.

If the OP just sticks to his 70 mile trip, the oil will have the moisture boiled out and that point becomes nullified. The basic additives will neutralize the acidic compounds created by the moisture in the oil until it is boiled out. That's why I suggest sticking to a 3,000 mile OCI. Short trips and cold engines mean looser fitting parts and a less than ideal burn of the fuel, creating more soot for the oil to suspend. The soot loading will approach 1% much quicker in this case, another reason why 3k miles is a good interval.

As said, if you are really that concerned about what's going on in your crankcase, send a sample to Blackstone and let them tell you. Nobody is born with oil analysis capable fingertips.

__________________
'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/302601.png
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/sideview.png