Joe Diesel

Hey Diesel Boyz, <br>I'm a newbe to Diesels, does anybody know at what hours of operation I have to change my oil? I live in Toronto and the temprature is always very cold so I let my diesel idle alot during the winter. <br>Thanks for any info.<br> ;D <br>

Lil Dog

I would say in the 125 - 150 hour mark would be ample for oil change intervals on the CTD. My brother in law does his at 120 hours.<br><br>The average hours to KM ratio is usually based on an average speed around 50Kph. This of course depends on your driving conditions.<br><br>examples, 1 my 89. I commuted 160 KM per day 1/2 city and 1/2 highway. Had 8500 hours and 390,000 Km, average speed is 45 Kph. <br><br> 2 Partners new Duramax, 240 hours 15000 Km, 62.5 Kph.<br><br>If you have an hour meter and the KM on your vehicle you can determine your average speed, but I would guess 150 Hours is plenty. You could perform oil analysis to determine the oil condition at these intervals to be sure you are changing early enough.<br><br>J-eh

Joe Diesel

<br>Thanx for the info Lil Dog!! <br>I'll use that formula for the next oil change, I'm at 120hrs now.

P Kennedy

Commercially these engines are rated at 200-250 hour services which is pretty standard throughout the industry for logging and construction equipment. Milage to hour conversion is 50 mph average eg; 10000 miles = 200 hours which was the standard for many years on medium to heavy duty trucks. Most of this has been superseded by oil analysis to prevent excessive oil cost and disposal = higher profit margins. 90% of oil contamination in these engines comes from improper cold idle procedures-slobbering which puts raw fuel down on the cylinder walls,and excessive fuel producing black smoke (carbon particulates) which is abrasive to the tri-metals in the bearing surfaces. We just pulled down a John Deere 2010 gas with over 7000 hours (50mph x 7k =350,000 miles) that had been abused, oil change once a year and neglected totally. 5-10k oil change services should produce more than adequate scheduling unless an oil analysis shows increased levels of wear. Have a 425/3406 Cat that just showed diesel in the oil, pulled it down to find injector #5 had been leaking fuel washing the cylinder down exposing the slight miss driver neglected to mention. Engine has 600,000 (980,000km) miles on synthetic oil with filter services done at 50,000km and oil completely changed at 250,000km. Everything else looks good but will inframe just to reduce labor costs in the future. One of the problems with these diesels in our trucks is they usually dont work hard enough to keep everything clean and up to operating temp on a continous basis. Compared to a butt and top log loader which operates at 2600 rpm/190-200 water temp continous load 10-12 hours per day Cummins B is a 8-12k hours engine. Based on this ours should last well into the 5-600k mile range easily unless other problems are incurred. PK

spots

Excellent information thank you

P Kennedy

Just a little note the 2003 Dodge sales brochure states that 15000 mile extended oil changes are recommended with the exception of severe duty use. Severe duty recommends oil analysis to adjust oil change schedules-when do you suppose the dealers will get on top of this one?????? How many warranty issues will they try to deny before reading their own literature???? PK

Haulin_in_Dixie

one problem though, the Dodge CTD has a smaller oil pan than the commercial pan.

P Kennedy

Haulin Dixie you once again are correct in some cases but oil capacities are smaller on most small engines and that is why I believe in the analysis program. It tells you when the oil has been comprimised by over hour use if you gradually increase intervals until results show elavated unacceptable limits. The results are in parts per million (PPM) and unless you exceed the change interval by major extremes no harm will be done to your engine. PK

Joe Diesel

Thanx for all the info boyz!<br> ;D