616 617 Diesel Engine Oil Flush?

I have changed the oil on a diesel 123 for a friend and after pouring in the new oil I checked the stick and it was instantly black! Is there a remedy? Perhaps a detergent to flush engine?

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Diesel Engine Specific Aid

Chassis Model Number

W123

It comes with the territory

This is common with the older diesels. I do not recommend engine flushing on high mileage engines as you could dislodge some crude that could move down into critical oil passages. Don't worry about the black color. Drain the oil with the engine hot to minimize and change engine oil every 3000 miles

Diesel Engine flush cont.

Thanks.
Do you recommend any kind of oil additive or treatment such as Lucas brand for example?. The engine has 145,000 miles.

Diesel oil...happened to me as well

I remember driving a friend's VW diesel in 1987 (a newer diesel back then)...I went to the service station to fill it up. I freaked out for two reasons: a huge Hawaiian guy was screaming at me for filling up myself and checking the oil and that it was black oil! He said it was normal.

I have since researched oil and that's why diesels use SAE "C" (compression) rated oil as opposed to "S" (spark) rated oil....and thus more $$$$. My understanding is that the extra polymers in C rated oil hold the soot that is smaller than the filter can handle in suspension so it doesn't damage engine parts like cam lobes and such.

As for additives...only an anecdote. I used the Lucas stuff in my old 240 with low compression. Helped a little on cold starts but it started leaking out the front main crankshaft seal a few thousand miles later.