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Topic: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing (Read 1246 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

It seems to me that 12 month/12000 miles is a more reasonable interval. I run closer to that kind of schedule with my cars. However, they use unleaded fuel and are very clean burning. I run synthetic or synthetic blends in them. The maintenance recommendations I have found for a Cummins engine in a coach are generally 6 months or 6,000-7,000 miles, whichever comes first.

I will probably start out at recommended levels and then "lazy" into longer intervals.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #1 –
Hi JD,
  You can work your way to higher change intervals, and feel safe, with an oil analysis. There are many to choose from. I have used Blackstone. With there help I added 3,000 miles to our change intervals. And it's interesting to see what's going on with our Cummins.
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #2 –
Raymond,

Thanks for the information about oil analysis. I did not know such a service was available. I just requested kits for the engine and the transmission. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #3 –
Hi JD,
  Dave M is right about collecting a good sample. I make sure the oil is warm, then I "catch" a sample as it is coming out of the drain. I do not dip it out of the catch pan. This is how I saw it done. I make sure that I take a sample after driving at least thirty miles. Then change the oil with as little idle time as possible, after the short drive. You do not want to let it idle for long periods of time. I hope this helps.
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #4 –
I called cummins several years ago to ask about oil change interval and said 12 to 15000 miles or once a year was ok. Have been doing regular oil analysis every time I change oil. Longest interval was 12000 miles after a trip to Alaska and the oil analysis was still very good.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #5 –
I use Blackstone Labs for oil testing.  I am going 12 to 15 thousand between changes and samples have tested good except for one instance where I had a plugged air filter and the test showed excessive silicates.  After a filter change next test was good.  Blackstone will mail you free sample kits and then they return the results by Email.  About 25 bucks I think.

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #6 –

Proper oil samples can be easily taken, Cat, Cummins and Detroit (DDA) all recommend using the vacuum pump with the sample bottle screwed on and using a plastic tube inserted into the oi via the dipstick tube when oil is hot and engine freshly shutdown before any thing can settle.

The quality of sample is very important to get a proper oil analysis.

Price for these kits generally run about $10.00 if you purchase directly from your Cat or Cummins factory dealer, not from a general do all shop.  That includes Postage paid bottle shipment container

The pump and tubing is available, for example when you buy the Cat kits, they include the tubing with the bottles,  Cummins only provides the bottles,  I have never used the Detroit sample procedure.

Think Cat lab work is done by Sun Oil Co and Cummins is done by Valvoline Oi Co.
At one time each Cat distributor had their own lab.

Added  link for more info from Blackstone Labs.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/vacuum-pump.php

FWIW
Dave

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #7 –
Gary,
 
What brand and weight of oil do you use?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #8 –
George, I am using Rotella T and I also use it in the hydraulics and the generator.

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #9 –

Good Oil practice is the cheapest insurance one has, trying to out run the acids in the engine oil even with the Lo sulfur fuel, is still sulfuric acid when any moisture gets into it. Sulfuric Acid attacks the soft metals in the engine, like the Babbitt on the bearings for example.
Waiting until you get a certain amount of mileage, might take a long time.
I do not take that route, I am not the brightest bulb, but I change oil after any long trip or every 6 months at a minimum.
10 Gal of oil and a filter seems like a fair price for a great engine setup, unless your planning on pushing it off to a new owner.
IF your going to change oil every 2 years or so, best consider an oil with a high TBN #
I do not depend on luck.
Dave

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #10 –
What do you guys think about doing a pre purchase oil analysis?  How much oil would you need?  In the sense of having to drain the oil or not.
I know as far as the bargain coaches I have looked at people arent too keen on the idea of people monkeying around with their coach.  I am looking for a vintage diesel around the $8000- price range.
Tony And MamaLove ~ Foretravel wannabees in a 1986 Beaver diesel pusher ;/ until we reach the promise foretraveland

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Dave M –

10 Gal of oil and a filter seems like a fair price for a great engine setup, unless your planning on pushing it off to a new owner.
IF your going to change oil every 2 years or so, best consider an oil with a high TBN #
I do not depend on luck.
Some of us do not have the pleasure of having a crankcase that holds 10 gallons of oil.  My Cummins B5.9 has a 15 guart oil pan and holds a total of 17.3  qts.  And the high TBN (Total Base Number) was very important.  Today they are claiming that with better motor oils and Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel fuel that TBN is not important.  Many labs have removed that from their reports and others are charging extra for it.  I am not a lubrication engineer and have no idea of its importance.  But understand where Dave is coming from because I feel the same.

I run Shell Rotella T6 synthetic 5W40 because I have read many used oil analysis from others who run this oil in diesels, including the older B5.9 diesels.  It meets and exceeds the Cummins requirements for my engine.  I feel it offers the best bang for the buck and is easily available for me.  I can purchase it by the gallon at almost any Walmart at a very good price.  I change it once a year in the fall, so it sits with brand new oil until late winter when I head south.  We put on about 2500 miles on that trip.  Then a couple trips here in the Northeast during the summer, and that is the extent of our traveling in the Foretravel.  5 gallons of Rotella T6 is cheap insurance to me.  I have been running synthetics since Mobil 1 first came out in the 70s and have never had a problem with a true (group 4 or higher) synthetic oil.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #12 –
Quote from: TonyV –
What do you guys think about doing a pre purchase oil analysis?  How much oil would you need?  In the sense of having to drain the oil or not.
I know as far as the bargain coaches I have looked at people arent too keen on the idea of people monkeying around with their coach.  I am looking for a vintage diesel around the $8000- price range.

You need about a half pint.  You can get a vacuum pump from Blackstone for drawing it right out the dip stick tube.  But it is going to take a couple weeks to get the results back.  If the owner is willing to wait that long...I do think it should be done.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Oil Change Intervals & Oil Testing

Reply #13 –
Quote
I use Blackstone Labs for oil testing.  I am going 12 to 15 thousand between changes and samples have tested good except for one instance where I had a plugged air filter and the test showed excessive silicates.

I just got my oil report back from Blackstone

"Thanks for the email. Based on this report, you can definitely go longer on the oil. 10,000 miles or even 12,000 miles is probably doable. Oil really doesn't break down due to time, it breaks down due to use. 1 or 2 years, if the engine is wearing well, shouldn't be a problem. Hope that answers your questions. Let us know if we can do anything else for you.

Thanks,
Alex Miller
Blackstone Laboratories"
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"