My ISL is down to the add mark, how much is it down?
Dave,
I know this is not a direct answer, but were it me, I would add 2 quarts and recheck in the morning. Add more if needed.
BTW, have you ever calibrated the engine oil dipstick-- sometimes ASSUMING they are accurate (remember, NOT a Cummins part) is, well, just an assumption. Calibrating is free and easy at the next oil change.
Calibration something Bernard could do? Heading south out of Omaha tomorrow for Livingston. Be there about 3 Wks, may try to get oil changed while there.
Yes, but even better with your overseeing it/helping:
Drain oil as usual. Replace oil filter as usual.
VERY precisely, add exactly the quantity of oil you want for your full mark (normal oil change quantity called for by Cummins fore your engine) less amount you want between add and full (i.e. exact amount that will bring oil level to true add mark). Start engine, drive if you like. Park and (best) in the morning, pull the dip stock and use a file to mark this your "add mark". Add the 2 quarts or whatever quantity you chose above. Let it sit (no need to start the engine) for a couple of hours so you know all oil has drained into the crankcase. Pull and mark the dipstick with the accurate "full mark".
We never let our engine oil level get down to the ADD mark. When the oil level gets down, we just add a part of a quart or a whole quart.
I think it minor, but two MOT senior tech warned me about being sure the coach is level when measuring. It seems some engines are especially prone to this due to the location of the dip stick in the pan. I had though that I was about two quarts off.
As an aside, Risch asked me one time the number on the dip stick I had, seems the ISMs had a few with the wrong dip stick. I do not know about other models. I do note the quantity of oil bought and level on the dip stick. I can verify that a bit out of level is noticeable.
Probably very minor for all I know, maybe not though.
Mike
Barry,
I have always done the exact same thing in my cars. But, in writing, Caterpillar (have not seen anything in writing from Cummins either way) recommends AGAINST adding oil until level reaches the add mark. Their reasoning is that each engine will "seek its own level" of oil, with oil over that amount finding its way out the crankcase breather.
With 4+ times the oil volume, being a quart or two low really have very little/no effect on the engine lubrication.