Re: Cummins Engine Oil Life
Reply #6 –
With today's good quality oils, and filters, and modern diesel engines once an year oil changes are fine. Unless of course you run over 15-20k per year. I manage, service and repair a fleet of diesel powered equipment we service biased on engine hours and from time to time do oil sampling to determine the need for service.
If you store your coach for extended period's change the oil and filters when you store, if you can take it out for an hour run once a month exercise your genset at the same time and you will be good to go when you get ready. But if you can't do that just start it let it build oil pressure then shut it off don't let it idle that keeps oil on every thing without building unburned fuel and soot, it's also good to pull it forward an back a few feet to get oil on barrings and gears in the axles.
As to synthetic oil, with today's new oil formulations for lower emission standards, IMHO you would be spending $$$ for not much gain, I don't know if I want to get to creative about just changing just filters. Not long ago several local school boards did that with their buses so far International engine company has replaced the motors in about 300 buses and denied warranty coverage. In short change oil when you need to but there is no need to to over service It's money down the drain. You can also gain some good information from your engine manufacturer as to service intervals. The new deal coming out now is oil changes based on gallons of fuel burned, which is a far more accurate measure.
Topic: Cummins Engine Oil Life