I would never do this to my rig but helped out a freind
last night by changing his oil while he tried to help <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />
Anyhow this is a really clean 4Runner I found him and the oil was last changed in January by PO.
Freind uses it as a second vehicle, so low miles but small distances.
Oil came out black as tar!
How badly can this hurt that poor little 22RE?

Not sure, but my uncles 85 22R was worse. Had a around 160K miles on it, he like never changed the oil. I did it for him once, and the thing came out as black and nasty as the tar pits. But the thing still ran awesome despite the dirty air filter, old rotor/cap and wires with electrical tape on them and different lenghts hahaha....it went to show me just how darn tough these things are.

color isn't always the best indicator, and neither is time. i just go by mileage, and what type of driving it saw. obviously you're going to be able to put a lot more highway miles on it than if you're doing a lot of stop and go city driving.

3000 mile oil changes are bogus though, my old '84 recommended 10k intervals under normal conditions.

Learn to know what your engine does to the oil you run through it. Next time you change it, as its draining into the catch pan, stick your fingers into the last of the stream and give it a smell. Then rub it between your fingers. Knowing what is getting into your oil, its color and any grit can tell you if you are prematurely changing the oil, waiting to long or right on target. Every engine is different based on modification, if rebuilt and driving styles etc.

Figure whats the best interval for you rig and stick to it. Important thing is doing it.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Black oil indicates nothing other than it's been in a running engine.

If you *really* want to know what shape your oil is in send it to a lab such as this one for a real test. This is what smart companies that run expensive equipment do.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests_price_list.html

Hey, thanks for the info. I tend to be overly obsessive about oil changes and that sort of stuff. Comes from running a shop with a bunch of cnc's. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
Anyhow looks like he'll be OK.
This is the same buddy that rolled his 4Runner ( blue one )the first wekend he had it. This is the replacement ( red one )I found him, guess I'll have to let go and let him make his own mistakes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />