Yeah, that pig rich comment reminded me of something. You may have had unburned fuel igniting in the exhaust manifold if you were very rich. That would certainly also create a lot more heat.

 

So in the end is it something I should worry about? Or am I just being paranoid?

 

It's good to be paranoid. Hell, I check my oil, plugs and fluids once a week. I drive my car just as hard as the next guy and I want to make sure the engine is running right when I do. The harder you push an engine the quicker the oil will break down. All these oils that claim they don't need to be changed for x,xxx miles are talking about being driving under normal conditions.

 

I use synthetic. After 3k, it's always dark brown. They lie to you, Kreme!

 

There's a website where the guy did long term tests on the oil in his 'vette and found that Mobil 1 was good for over 18000 miles. He only replaced oil when he changed the filter every 6000 miles and when he had to remove some for tests. The link is http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html

Interesting read.

 

Dark color doesn't necessarily mean it's not lubricating though.

 

Hobie is right. A darker or more opaque color to an oil means that the molecules are breaking down and moving at a faster rate. It doesn't necessary mean it has lost it's viscosity. It's due to the heat. If you smell the oil and smell a high concentration of gas then that will contribute to less lubrication as the oil becomes more gas soaked.

 

Oh, I'm aware.

I was just going off Kareem complaining that his oil is dark brown after 3k.

 

I think my oil was like 109302935% fuel when it popped.

 

ok, i got home from work today (5 minute drive, literally....) and my exhaust manifold was glowing again. I had to run in and get the camera then try and take pix but by then the glow had lessened considerably. Here's what it looks like:

 

Wow, that's amazing.

 

ok, i was reading up some articles and am curious... could the manifold be turning red if the clogged cat was backing up the exhaust gasses? I also hear a irregular ticking when I turn the engine off coming from the engine bay (louder and more frequent when the exhaust manifold is glowing red).

 

I hear that same "ticking" you speak of when I turn off my engine, too. It sounds like the metal is cooling down and contracting. Or something of that nature. Having your front cat clogged would increase the chances of having the manifold light up like a christmas tree. The exhaust gases and unburned fuel are getting hung up right after exiting the engine.

 

Well if thats the case then time for headers

 

You guys think it's safe to make a 200 mile trip with these conditions? Should I be concerned about anything? What are the worst case scenarios?