There has been much discussion about incorrect dipsticks on the forum by Brett and others. I for some reason, stupidity maybe, didn't pay much attention to that thinking that FT got it right, but looks like they didn't. During my last oil change I was looking in the manual for the drain plug wrench size and the torque spec. Happened to notice that the C8.3 engine oil capacity is 25.2 quarts, more than 6 gal. My coach only takes 5 gal to bring it up to full on the dipstick. This time I put in 6 gal and hope to take a trip in a month or so to see if it blows out the oil. If it doesn't will try to see if there is some way to correct the dipstick, maybe cut it and weld back together, although it is a tempered type of spring steel. Apparently driving with only 5 gal of oil for 23 yrs and 107K miles has not damaged the engine as an analysis last year said everything is okay. Can someone start a ballot about incorrect dipsticks on the C8.3. Has Foretravel sent out a notice about this? Did they find the mistake and correct it on later models?
Jerry,
Did you call Cummins with your engine serial number to confirm oil capacity? 800 343-7357
Manuals may cover a number of different configurations.
I just called Cummins and they say the correct amount of oil is 24.2 qts. Brett the phone # you have has been changed although I did get through, thanks.
Just mark the dipstick with a file or paint marker where the 6 gallons is and don't worry about it.
Jerry,is that with filter change?
When you learn from Cummins the exact amt of oil that engine requires I wouldn't cut and weld the stick because there isn't much there to weld. I would make a mark at the full level and mark the dip stick with the edge of a file and disregard other markings.
John beat me to it.... do that.
Yup a file mark for the correct FULL.
How far is it from the OE marking on the dip stick (with coach level and engine off for at least one hour)?
If you have a new number for Cummins service, you might post it.
I think there may be differences in the fact that they may use different oil pans for a variety of configurations. Mine is 5 Gal.
Mark
At our first oil change (man that was a long time ago) we called Cummins and found out that our engine needed 6 quarts less than what was listed in our FT manual. This is one case less is better than more especially if the oil is high enough the crankshaft is hitting the oil while turning.
Mike
That's the same as my 8.3. The book called for one gallon less. I put in 25 quarts which brings the level right up to full on the dipstick. I hung a can under the breather tube and it stayed dry. On our M-11, I did the same thing and discovered the dipstick was off by 2 quarts. As others have recommended, I just filed a new full mark on the dipstick.
Re Cummins, a few years ago I called and talked to someone who knew what I was asking and gave me the specific information relevant to my engine. Recently I called and got someone who had no idea. She "escalated" my query and the next level was no better.
jor
On ours when the dipstick shows 1/2 full it is really full
The new number for Cummins is 800-286-6467 or 800-cummins.
Yes I gave them my engine serial number. Result of a long conservation is that the engine holds 23.3qt not including the filter which he estimated at a qt. and came up with 24.2 qt. ?? I personally think the capacity of an LF3000 filter is more like 2 qts. 23.3 + 2 =25.3qts, almost the same as 25.2 qts in the manual. A cylinder the size of the filter holds about 3.5 qts, but the filter will not hold that much because of the filter material inside the filter.
I know I can mark the dipstick with a file, but would someone else checking the oil catch that and the reason that I would like to shorten the stick and have it correct. When I was filling the engine 4 gal brought it up to the low mark and 5 gal to the full mark, so the low to full is a gallon.
As infrequently as we change the oil I would just check it myself whether you or someone else changes it.When you change the oil
fill the filter and make sure how much oil it holds,will take awhile but you can fill it to the top.Check the oil pan part number with Cummins maybe they only make one for the 8.3,any oil pan will have a part number.Can't figure that guy telling you that big oil
filter only holds one quart.
Mine holds 5 gals. Beamalarm also showes 20 Quarts on the 8.3s. It's a shame that the correct dipstick can't be installed in the first place, just saying.
My call to Cummins today on our 2000 ISC 350 was 24 qts with filter.
Ya, the answer of "plus one quart for filter" is really scary,
I would call again and hopefully get someone who knows what they are talking about.
Our C8.3 takes about 5 gal AND the filter takes about 1 gal.
I have been putting 2 qts or 1/2 gal in the filter and it's almost full (LF3000 filter). I put 4.5 gal in the engine and the dipstick shows full after running and resting. Not possible to get a gal in a LF3000 filter.
Cummins LF3000 has been replaced with an improved LF9009. We have been using LD9009 for many years.