have changed the oil twice in this engine and both times the old oil was thin and black. 6700 on the engine, oil changed at around 3000 mile intervals,new filter each time naturally. is this a normal thing or do I have a problem? leaving on a five day trip today so will check for replys on return. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

sounds normal...mine is the same way, turbochargers kill oil on any engine. u r fine, i change every 3-4k..no prob's...what kind of oil r u using?

 

sorry,rotella T

 

i use the same oil...your fine

 

I use the same oil and see the same thing. I have heard of no problems with Rotella T. However, if your oil is really thin and smells like diesel fuel, that is a different story.

 

How long do you let it idle?? Thinking it may be thin as a result of fuel dilution...also, using a different oil (just for a comparison) next change might be something to think about...

 

[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=4;threadid=22881;start=0#msg214492 date=1069870881]
How long do you let it idle?? Thinking it may be thin as a result of fuel dilution...also, using a different oil (just for a comparison) next change might be something to think about...
[/quote]

Dr Evil...good point. I have read bulletins from Cummins that essentially warn about that. They say not to idle more than 3 to 5 minutes, due to over-cooling of the engine, causing that. If you idle longer than that, kick on the exhaust brake to put a load on the engine, or install a fast idle kit.

 

It may be "normal", or maybe it's not.

One cause for black oil is excessive soot. Of course, if you have a dirty air filter, clean or change it. Beyond the obvious though, is the Intake Air Sensor (IAT), which plays an important part in determining how much fuel to inject. If the IAT has failed or is contaminated, the results will be excessive soot/smoke and poor mileage.

Now here is the kicker: besides the normal accumulation of grime on the sensor, if you are using an oiled foam or oiled gause air filter (Amsoil or K&N, etc), you are MORE likely to have a contaminated IAT sensor!

This DIY Repair Notes webpage has a link to replacing the IAT sensor, but could also be refered to to clean it. Just remove it, spray it off with some brake/parts cleaner, and put it back in. I know there is another article floating around somewhere that includes photos; but I don't have it bookmarked. More time for a search would find it, I'm sure.

As luck would have it, I just stumbled across another topic about IAT sensor causing bad fuel economy. This one has photos of the IAT before and after cleaning, but still doesn't show where it is located on the engine - and it is kind of hidden below the intake manifold and back toward the firewall.

 

The IAT sennsor is the sensor that measures the temp of the intake manifold. Would help to have long arms when trying to get it out.

More IAT info can be found here:

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/sensors/IAT/clean.htm

Keep it clean and it'll help your milage.

 

Thanks Dr. Evil, that is the article I was looking for. Good link.

 

hi guys, just put the toyhauler back in the slip after about 600 miles of highway, averaged 7 mpg. trailer sits high so it's like pulling a billboard down the road. oil is just as black as ever. hauler loaded is close to 10,000. does this sound ballpark normal? THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSE