Worried Fiesta Owner

[FiestaOwnerMk5]

I recently bought a X reg 1.4 zetec fiesta and failed to check the oil before I bought the car. I checked the oil earlier today and saw it was very low and a dark black. A friend has told me this means the engine is "on it's way out", is my friend correct? I have just added some oil, but now I'm concerned I've been ripped off.

Can anyone help?

[Gazjs]

I'm no mechanic, so don't take this as set in stone. But I think the blackness in colour just means it hasn't been changed in a very long time, hence why it is also so low.

[mitch84]

i agree , i check my cars oil levels every couple of months and its normally a fairy dark black. its only ever light when you have had a oil change ?

no expert on this though!

[james_60]

Hi

Dark black oil does not mean the engine is on its way out.

It just means that the car has not had an oil change in a while.

Buy a container of 5-30 oil and the correct oil filter and if you have the knowledge change the oil.

If not get the oil changed and make sure it is 5-30 oil that they use.

A sure indication that the engine is on its way out is that when the oil is drained lots of metal comes out.

Jamie