Oil change interval

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Oil change interval

March 29, 2021, 02:46:26 am

What is the recommended oil change interval for a 2003 ISL 400 with DELO 400 oil. I've been changing the oil every year, but expect to put on a lot of miles this summer

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #1 – March 29, 2021, 03:13:33 am

In my semi that ran a 500 HP 15 liter Cat. (10 Gallon oil capacity) I changed oil every 10-15K or every 6 weeks based on oil analysis. Which is a great way to have a base line for an oil change interval. But for most coach engines, once a year or 6K(ish) is good. Engines such as yours and my M11 were designed for hauling 80,000 lbs down the road. When such engines are used in motorhomes they are considered to be under very light duty conditions and so time is more a factor than miles.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #2 – March 29, 2021, 01:43:12 pm

Oil doesn't lose it's lubricating properties. It does get dirty and in some modern automotive oils they do have decreasing amounts of additives such as detergents over time. That is why in the army they never change the oil on their trucks based on miles or time but on the oil analysis. I believe Cummins' recommended oil change intervals regardless of whether you use synthetic or old dinosaur bones is 20,000 miles or a year for an engine used in an RV

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #3 – March 29, 2021, 02:17:22 pm

I think 20K miles between oil changes is too long especially for the number of miles that get driven each year. Some might do that based on oil analysis but it seems too long.

My ISM11 oil gets changed at about 6,000 miles and every year in the late fall before it sits for a couple months. Usually once a year, sometimes twice.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #4 – March 29, 2021, 03:33:22 pm

Based on multi-year oil analysis tracking, mine gets done once a year, which is usually between 6K and 10K miles. These folks give you a personalized reply to each test with recommendations on future service. I sample and test every change.

Rich

Blackstone Laboratories

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #5 – March 29, 2021, 03:47:36 pm

Quote

I think 20K miles between oil changes is too long especially for the number of miles that get driven each year.

The Cummins book for the 8.3 calls for oil changes every 6,000 miles.
jor

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #6 – March 29, 2021, 07:41:57 pm

Change my Cat 3126 every 4-5K mile. Also use Cat filter.It is just starting to turn black at that point.

Someone said on here a few years ago, Cats like clean oil and filters. I'm anal, oil is cheap!

Chris

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #7 – March 29, 2021, 08:14:35 pm

6000 miles or once a year if mileage is less than 6000 for me. Oil and filter changes are relatively cheap insurance. Clean fresh oil is the life blood of your engine.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #8 – March 29, 2021, 09:49:14 pm

How many use one of those oil draining gizmos that replace the drain plug?

Keith

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #9 – March 29, 2021, 10:35:50 pm

We use the Fumoto brand,works great,avoid the stripped threads.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #10 – March 29, 2021, 11:13:33 pm

Detroit 6v92 change oil once a year. I do a trip from FL to MI every year and putz around in FL when Im.down there. Usually between 3-5k miles.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #11 – March 29, 2021, 11:51:01 pm

Is mine CRD or CAPS?

Either way, I should be good for 18000 miles.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #12 – March 30, 2021, 01:03:11 am

My coach came with one of oil changing gizmos and it works great and no mess.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #13 – March 30, 2021, 10:39:13 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – March 29, 2021, 11:51:01 pm

Is mine CRD or CAPS?

Either way, I should be good for 18000 miles.

Tom 2003 ISL is still CAPS so you are good for 18,000 miles or one year unless you are doing oil analysis and then you can go by their recommendation or the Cummins recommendation. It is your choice. For myself, I change the oil once a year (I as well as most RVers never do 18,000 in a year) and lube the chassis once a year as it is cheap insurance as someone has already stated, and it is a good time to give the coach a really good look over. There is no right or wrong answer. It is what you feel comfortable with: Once a year/18,000 miles or oil analysis.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #14 – March 30, 2021, 10:40:29 am

Quote

How many use one of those oil draining gizmos that replace the drain plug?

I use a Fumoto on my 8.3 (photo) and I used a shallow NoSpill on my M11.

NoSpill
Fumoto
jor

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Re: Oil change interval

Reply #15 – March 30, 2021, 11:10:15 am

Thanks Jor, now I know what mine is. No Spill

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #16 – March 30, 2021, 11:20:14 am

Has anyone had any kind of bad experience with the drain plug valves? I am probably being paranoid, but have a fear of it hanging too low and the lever either getting knocked open, or broken off.

Just curious.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #17 – March 30, 2021, 11:28:32 am

The No Spill on mine doesn't stick down any further than a drain plug.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #18 – March 30, 2021, 11:45:08 am

I installed one of the Fumo plugs on the geny recently and found that using it when the oil is cold took Forever. Ended up throwing a 1/2 quart back in the geny so I could run it and then draining oil when warm....
On the geny I'm going to try attaching a hose to it so that I can try an oil change without even sliding the generator out ??

I hope the oil drains faster out of the engine Fumo one quicker.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #19 – March 30, 2021, 01:06:26 pm

Quote

but have a fear of it hanging too low and the lever either getting knocked open, or broken off.

Yea, the shallow NoSpill eliminates that issue. On the 8.3, I don't see a problem with the Fumoto hanging down as the oil drain is kind of on the side of the pan and the Fumoto is not the lowest point. I think the NoSpill is the better solution all round though. Just costs a little more and you need two pieces.
jor

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #20 – March 30, 2021, 01:16:10 pm

Actually 3 pieces, the part that screws into the pan, the drain part and the cap.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #21 – March 30, 2021, 04:24:14 pm

If something can hit the valve way up there that will be the least of your worries.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #22 – March 30, 2021, 05:10:38 pm

Quote from: hdff – March 29, 2021, 09:49:14 pm

How many use one of those oil draining gizmos that replace the drain plug?

Keith

No spill for me on engine, genny, and Jeep.
I replace the engine oil last year in July I believe and I probably have about 7,000 mi on it now. I'll probably change it around 10, 000 miles.
I use synthetic.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #23 – May 04, 2021, 08:09:25 pm

Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore – March 30, 2021, 05:10:38 pm

No spill for me on engine, genny, and Jeep.
I replace the engine oil last year in July I believe and I probably have about 7,000 mi on it now. I'll probably change it around 10, 000 miles.
I use synthetic.

Do you happen to have the p/n for the plug on the genny?

Thanks
Keith

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #24 – July 30, 2021, 04:21:23 pm

Anybody else having problems contacting Blackstone Industries for oil testing.

I purchased a sample kit, took samples and tracking says they received all the samples over a week ago. I paid ahead of shipping and has cleared my credit card.

Nothing from them and the customer service number always goes to busy.

Covid Problems ? :-{

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