Had the oil changed in our 450 cummins in Dec. Drove to Phoenix and been here since. I checked the fluid levels today and see the engine oil is overfull. The line is up to the word "over", could be a quart or more. Should I just leave it or go somewhere to have some oil drained out? Mechanics have to told me its better to be under than over.
Was the RV on level ground when you checked it? When I check my oil in our driveway it will always show overfilled because of the slope of the driveway. It makes no difference if the coach is leveled or not since leveling does not raise or lower the engine. When I move it to a level spot it will be right on.
Yes its on level ground, we've been parked at a rv resort since Dec.26.
If you do decide to have oil removed, there's an RV service firm in Phoenix, just off I-10 that is very familiar with Foretravel; used to be a "FT Factory Service Facility".
Mark Stumpf - Service Manager
Divine Coach Care
1243 S 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85034 602-340-8287
Greg, where in PHX are you, we are in "The Resort" at Ellsworth and Southern, just up from the I 60
We live in Kaleden and I know you are from Peachland.
John H
No one should drive off after an oil change without checking the oil level. I am sure there are also cases where the tech forgot to add oil after draining. We check oil & coolant level before starting engine in the morning after an overnight stop. Our dipstick normal is mid between add & full. Since our engines come with different depth oil pans, a tech could easily over or under fill if they are not familiar with the engine & pan size. Would be better if coach manufacturer had a capacity sign next to fill point.
Hi John, we're at Meridian resort on Meridian Rd, AJ. We're close to you, do you want to visit some day, maybe next week?
Hi Barry, I did check the level before we left, but it only sat for a few minutes, probably not long enough. Anyway, do you think I should drain some off or will it be okay until next change.
When I changed out my oil and filter I put in exactly 43 qts. (M11 400hp engine). After warming up the engine I let it sit for awhile and then checked the dip stick level. It was way above the full mark, so I think there can be some variations of the oil level. I made a new mark with my electric engraving pen at the upper level.
I also have an M11 400hp and put in 43 quarts when changing the oil/filter. The marks on the dip stick had been changed from the factory marks and it has been near the new full mark for a few thousand miles.
Does anyone know if there was a bulletin from Cummins about how to set the marks on the oil dip stick?
GMC issued a bulletin for the P30 about changing oil/filter and calibrating the dip stick by adding a set amount of oil (with a new filter), running the engine, and lettiing oil drain back overnight. The 454 in my P30 would burn or loose 1 quart in a thousand miles before I recalibarated the dip stick because it was overfull by one quart.
I'd drive it to Cummins-Phoenix and ask them to check the oil level and pump some out if necessary. Everyone should monitor an oil change, verify that the correct amount of oil is added after a complete drain, and re-mark the dipstick if necessary.
I am not sure if oil should be drained. I don't know how to remove the drain plug just to drain a small amount.
It comes to mind that steel drain plugs in M11 aluminum drain pans have been known to strip out the pan threads at the most inopportune time.
Removing the oil filter, could be one option to remove some oil.
On our dipstick, the cross-hatch distance between the add & full is one-gallon. So the question is considering your cross-hatch is one gallon, how much over do you think your oil fill is?
greg, next week will do
John
I had similar, this is what I was told. It will not harm to be a bit over, I was at the second most full "l" in the word overfill. I just let it alone. The coach level question though would be important, as the temp of engine, etc.
I was told that for the ISM, this was ok because of the type of oiling system. (I may have botched the reason, something about pressure in the pan?, but message....ok, was repeated)
Another issue. Some of the ISM engines had the wrong dip stick in them. You can tell by checking some number or such, wish I knew where. I can only report that when this overfill event happened I asked the service folks about overfill and they thought to go check the dip stick.
Another thread though will give you another idea to remember, and I have read it elsewhere in an official FT or Cummins book. You do not need to add oil as long as you stay between the SAFE zone on the dip stick. In other words, if it drops below the most full safe mark to half way below, I was told that is fine. Only add if it gets to the bottom safe mark. NOW please, verify for yourself, call whomever you wish, I do not want to have a role in ruining your engine! But that is what I am doing and seems to be just fine. Hope this helps you sort this out. Mike
From an earlier article I wrote:
CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK
We continue to see questions about oil "consumption" and oil on radiators and toads on the FMCA Forum and other RV websites. It seems to be universal across all brands of diesel engines.
THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE IS AN OVERFILLED CRANKCASE. CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK TO ENSURE THE CORRECT OIL LEVEL IN THE PAN "FIXES" OVER 90% OF THESE PROBLEMS.
If you "think" your engine has an oil consumption problem, you are seeing oil mist on your toad or you just want to verify that yours is correct; you need to verify that you are using the correct amount of oil. Note: the quantities listed INCLUDE the oil filter and is the total amount of oil you put in when changing oil and filter.
Now, CALIBRATE THE DIP STICK. Since the same engines/dip sticks are used in many different applications with different angles of installation, do not ASSUME that the dip stick is correctly marked. Calibration costs $0.
At the next oil change, drain oil, remove old filter (as usual). Then install the drain plug and new oil filter and add the engine's correct oil capacity LESS THE NUMBER OF QUARTS you want between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks (let's say 2 quarts). So for an engine with 20 quart capacity you would add 18 quarts. Run the engine a few minutes, shut off and wait until oil has descended into the pan (at least 30 minutes and an hour is safer). Pull the dip stick and use a file or dremel tool to mark the oil level "ADD". Add the remaining two quarts, let the oil settle in the pan, pull the dipstick and mark this the "FULL" mark.
In many/most cases, you will find that your engine "throws out" the access oil and then "consumption" settles down to next to nothing. Put in the correct amount and your "consumption" issues may go away.
This applies to all ages (including brand new) of motorhomes and boats with every brand of engine.
Also, when checking the oil level with the dipstick it is safest to do it in the morning after the oil has had all night to flow back to the pan.
Do not add oil until the level reaches the ADD mark.
Finally, make a sticker to affix near oil fill: OIL CAPACITY INCLUDING FILTER: xx QUARTS.
Brett, I am being PICKY. Filter should be filled when doing this . Correct ?
Gary B
Yes, and this sentence takes care of it: "Run the engine a few minutes, shut off and wait until oil has descended into the pan (at least 30 minutes and an hour is safer)."
Brett
Brett, OK I did not read it that way but you are right.
Gary B
On mine the fill is actually half way between fill and full.
Same on our 1993 3116. Bottom line-- CALIBRATE THE DIPSTICK.
Very timely post when I read this the other day. I have had a problem keeping the engine at the full mark on the dip stick. Changed the oil today and calibrated the dip stick. It was off by two quarts. Thanks for the info. Also changed my primary and secondary fuel filters. I usually prefill the fuel filters. When I got the new fleetgaurd secondary it said not to prefill for ISC engines. I figure because it has a electric lift pump it fills itself when the ignition key is on. Also I used the bulb to fill the primary which I usually prefill. I was so happy to not have to deal with that mess of prefilling the fuel filters. I changed both and it started right up with no problems. Sweeet..
Regards , Mark
Panic time, my ISM oil change is 10 gal, then the dip stick says it is 1/8" below full mark, am I to panic or forget it ?
Procedure can vary the results too, drain the pan, plug out and remove filter will take more oil than drain the pan, reinstall the plug then remove the filter :o
Do we do the same panic with our cars and pickups ?
I take what the stick sez and go with it.
Dave M
I wouldn't panic with 10 Gal of oil Dave. That must be a pain changing that much oil. Glad I got it figured out though.
Mark
I'm always a 1/8th of a inch below full :P !!!
Forrest's 8.3 Cummins 325 is right on the mark with 20 qrt. fill.