Higher mileage, neglected engines may turn fresh oil dark quickly. Color
alone is not a true indication of an oil condition. Most of the dark
coloring is from carbon both from the combustion process and what comes out
of the cast iron cylinder liners. 

Using convention oil and a good filter 3,000 mile changes should be
sufficient. Short trip winter driving may require shorter intervals as these
engines do not quickly get the oil heated enough to drive off moisture. For
synthetic you can go to 5,000 to 7,500 mile intervals. The only way to
really know how often to go for oil analysis. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Samantha
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 10:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: how often do you change your oil?

Changed mine about two/three weeks ago, checked it recently (in the last
week) and its blackened already. 
�
Is this common with the Vanagon group, or something I should look further
into?
�
Thanks,
�
Samantha 
Eureka Springs, AR
82 AC Vanagon