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Topic: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11? (Read 1460 times) previous topic - next topic

Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

O.K.  I managed to successfully change the oil and filter in our generator.  Now I am wondering if I should do the engine oil next?

We fulltime so I don't have my own driveway or storage barn.  Wife is not too keen on the idea, but I like the idea of saving about 150 bucks.

Engine is an M-11 450 HP

Comments?
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: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #1 –
Changing your own oil is not that hard and you could easily do it.
I decided to do it myself the last time after doing the Gen several times.
In all honesty I would rather pay to have it done.
After you drain the oil in a container, you have to pour it into disposable containers.
I used the 1 gal Delo containers that I emptied.
Barry Leavitt uses a couple of 5 gallon containers.
Then you have to clean the container of all the oil.
Then you have to take all that oil to a hazardous waste dump or someplace that takes used oil.
To much mess & time for me for the cost of having Cummins do it in an hour.
I provide the filters.
I then send a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis.
You as a fultimer will have to store another large container after you clean it for the next time.
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"

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #2 –
What kinds of things do you learn from the Blackstone Lab report?  Your points are valid, Barry.  I think the mess involved is not worth the hassle.

Does the place you  have the oil changed mind that you supply your own filters?  And I am curious if others do this?
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: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #3 –
Here is a sample report.
One local truck repair shop I was using did not like that I brought my own filters but I said I needed to be sure that no other filter or brand was used.

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"

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #4 –
Barry
Here is my recent oil report from a local lab. Boron is much higher than yours. I use dello 400 15w 40 LE. What oil do you use. I scanned the report. Hope I did it right. My first post here.
Felix Mathieu
99 U320


Sorry the scan not very legible.
I guess it is legible. Didnt realize you could zoom in. Nice
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #5 –
I used Valvoline blue, Kendall, Delo 15W 40 LE. Every shop uses something different.
When I do it, I use Delo.
Always Fleetgaurd Filters.
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"

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
Does the place you  have the oil changed mind that you supply your own filters?  And I am curious if others do this?
Mine doesn't mind it.  I pickup all the parts.  I think that they figure it is a added cost for them to call around and locate and order them.  With me picking them up, I usually get a discount , but have to pay the tax.  Also, they have learned that I research things like brake fluid, and know which ones are better, where they just get what ever their supplier provides.  In my  old motorhome, I would not run the brake fluid that was on their supply shelf!!!  Their supplier had told them to used something with a high dry temp rating, when they should have been looking for a high wet temp rating.  I noticed that they are now using what I brought in to use on mine.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #7 –
Barry,

It looks like changing the hydralulic oil is somewhat easier in that the reservoir is more easily accessed than doing an engine oil change.

But with the cost of the disposable pump, the 5 gallon bucket and a couple of short lengths of garden hose, is the savings between out of pocket and what a dealer charges worth it?
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: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #8 –
Hi George:

Here's what I've done with my last 3 oil changes.  My local and most of the new Super Walmarts have one service bay tall enough for a motorhome; although we usually back in for their convenience to access the rear diesel.  I bring my own filter (ordered from FilterBarn) and buy their Rotella motoroil from inside the store.  They delete the filter and oil charge from their standard oil change fee which leaves only the labor part <$20 or so.  Remind them to be careful to not cross thread the oil drain plug.  Hope this helps.

fiddler
2001 u320
Fiddler
1959 Parris Island grad
40' 2001 U320 Build 5875
1999 Suburban K1500 toad
1986 Corvette Pacecar
ssoftail@comcast.net

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #9 –
Fiddler,

Walmart's own brand on oil is excellent per all the independent oil analyses I've read.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Should I Attempt To Change the Engine Oil in M-11?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: fiddler –
Remind them to be careful to not cross thread the oil drain plug.  Hope this helps.
Better yet, get one of these, a Fumoto valve made by http://www.fumotousa.com/, and have them replace that oil drain plug!  All my vehicles have Fumoto valves installed.  Makes changing oil so much easier!!!
1994 U225
build #4514