Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: lavocat on October 17, 2012, 05:08:46 pm

Title: Genset Oil Change
Post by: lavocat on October 17, 2012, 05:08:46 pm
On my 2006 Phenix I have a Cat?Perkins 12 KW genset.  Specs say it should take just over 6 qts of oil with a filter/oil change.  I just changed mine and it took 5 qts and was reading full on the dipstick.  And it read full even after running it a while and circulating the oil.  Should I keep adding oil until 6 qts gets in or stop since it reads full?
Title: Re: Genset Oil Change
Post by: Rick on October 17, 2012, 05:38:53 pm
Gerard,
    I would call CAT and see what they say. Knowing that some large engines have dipsticks that do not read correctly and need calibrating it would be safest to check with them. In the meantime it is generally better to be a quart low than a quart overfilled and I would not worry too much about it until you contact a knowledgable dealer. Not sure on yours but your generator may have "low oil shut down" that would shut it down if oil gets too low, you might want to check that out too.
Good luck,
Rick
Title: Re: Genset Oil Change
Post by: gam on October 17, 2012, 06:54:40 pm
What did dip stick show before you drain oil and how much did you drain out? Gam
Title: Re: Genset Oil Change
Post by: lavocat on October 17, 2012, 07:50:01 pm
The dipstick was just under full and I drained out just over 4 qts.  I just do not think it will hold 6 qts.
Title: Re: Genset Oil Change
Post by: gam on October 18, 2012, 08:23:13 am
Perkins notes that sump capacity is intended to be used as a guide and actual capacities should be governed by level on the dipstick. Gam
Title: Re: Genset Oil Change
Post by: lavocat on October 24, 2012, 11:50:52 am
Well then my dipstick is reading full and I just did a football weekend where we ran it for 3 days and it is still full so I guess it holds 5 qts!