I recently purcased a 92 5.7L Z28. When I bought the car I had checked the oil on the dipstick and it appeared fine. The guy said that he had just changed the oil. Now about two weeks later, I checked the oil again and its a goldish brown!! The car does have fairly high mileage (135k) and runs a little rough. Also, the car is 95% stock. Does this mean that there's a faulty head gasket, or worse??!! Please help!!

 

When i think goldish brown i think new oil. Is it the same color as new oil?

 

I doubt theres anything wrong with the head gaskets. If there was, you'd have alot bigger problems.

Sounds like its just in need of a tune up.

 

i thought oil was that color when it was new...

it turns dark brown/blackish when its old and crappy

 

No its much darker and brilliant than new oil. He told me it was synthetic that he had put in the car. Since, I ran my 90 Rs 305 on mobil one synthetic for the year that I owned it I can personally say it looks drastically different. Wish I had a digital camera - I would post a pic-

 

As long as it doesn't look 'milky', and the level doesn't go up by itself, I think you should be alright.
Has the coolant level changed any? Does it blow a lot of sweet-smelling white smoke/steam out from the exhaust?

 

Is it really metallic-looking? like metallic paint?

 

Does it look like coffee after you pour milk/creamer in? if so you have problems. If it looks like honey, you should be fine unless you have a metallic honey look lol.

 

if you're worried about the condition of the oil send a sample out to be tested. it's pretty cheap and easy to do.