I am about to do the first oil change (and all the other various fluids that I can at the same time) on my 98 12v. Its got 105000 on the odometer and I was wondering if there were any recomendations for oil. Should I switch to synthetic (I have heard I should switch everything to synthetic, diff fluid, tranny fluid etc.). I was also wondering how hard it was to change the fuel filter, and if there were any tricks.
Thanks

 

I personally dont know much about the synthetic stuff, I know if you do a search you will find more info than you probably need. Fuel filter is sortof a pain in the *** to reach. Fill it up with fresh fuel and try not to spill it when you put it back on, this is what i do and always works for me.

 

98,

you might want to redig up a thread on here for fuel filter changements, According to Infidel the 1998s are slightly different, but it shouldnt be a problem if you dig it up. Anyways, for oil i use Rotella 15W-40 (sorry it isnt synthetic, on edit) at 5000 mile intervals, and baldwin or fleetguard filters, the oil change is straight forward and u will use 11 quarts, no tricks to that.

Fuel fliter advise i can give u from experience, just check up on it, and only hand tighten it, i learned a trick from that old post i told u about to remove the two nuts that hold to brake booster (thanks infidel! ), make sure it has good, clean fresh fuel, and hope u have long arms and patience, that is the one job i hate the most on my ram..

Tx

 

Personally I would rather run a quality dino oil (delo 400, rotella or similar) and change more often than synthetic oil for the motor.

 

I just did my first change too, I put some Mobil 1 Truck & SUV (Delvac 1) with a Fleetguard Stratopore filter. It wasn't cheap by any means but I think it'll be worth it.

 

When I change my fuel filter, I don't have a fuel source, so I put the filter in the canister, and put it on dry. I leave the canister a hair loose and then pump it full with the hand pump on the lift pump. This works for me, but, I wonder if this may be not the best way for some reason. Mabee hard on lift pump or something. I am not an expert. I am learning too.

 

Most people fill it up so you don't have to keep hitting the little bulb on the lift pump, no other reason.

 

My cummins has only had rotella 15-40 for 236k plus miles. I usually dont worry too much about changing my oil till i get about 5-6k miles on an stuff. I run a twin remote oil filter kit with a cooler that keeps it clean and cool.

I do however run synthetic in my race truck because synthetic protects better under high stress, but these low rpm diesels just dont need it IMO.

 

You don't have to leave the filter loose, just open the bleed screw located on top of the outlet line on top of the fuel filter housing. Just a couple turns will do.

I never prefill the filter, makes a mess and can introduce contamination. I open the bleed screw and pressurize the fuel tank though the fill spout with a air blow nozzle wrapped in a rag. Takes about 15 seconds to fill the filter and purge any air.