I just completed an Oil/Filter change. The truck has 12500 miles and the oil had 5000 on it. It appears that only about 11 quarts came out when I put 12 in a few months ago. I drained the filter as best I could, but is it possible the media holds some back. Or am I burning oil. This is the 3rd oil change since I've had the truck. I've been using RotellaT and Fleetguard filters from genos.

Thanks
John

 

An ongoing mystery in the Cummins world...

Put 12 in and you'll be just above the fill line. Run till the next change and the level never goes down. Then do a change and you can only squeeze 11 quarts out.

I think it shrinks.

Don't worry. All is well up front.

One note that I might add... Overfill your engine with oil and she'll give you a free undercoat job and stink worse than a skunk till the extra is gone.

These things you'll learn over time.

 

I answered this on the other board... we check the oil when it's changed and before its changed again..... its never been lower than 1/4" from one to the next and we change it at a lube center every 6-7K miles

 

John...every engine uses some oil and some would be amazed at exactly how much oil the media holds in a filter. Try punching a hole in the bottom of your used filter (hard to do on the cummins filters) and watch how much is trapped in there. Also all the media as I just said holds some. Certionaly not a full quart but I would bet your engine is completly normal.

 

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Wanted to make sure she was normal.

John

 

Johnny H - the answer to your question is that you can't ever get out ALL the oil you put in. Inevitably, there will still be some oil in the oil lines, in the corners of the oil pan etc. On top of that there will be a SLIGHT consumption - but as mentioned above - you should have checked your oil before you drained it to see the level.

Some folks are lazy and just dump 12 quarts in, but that typically will put the oil level above the full line on the dipstick. Your crankcase blowby tube will spit out the extra oil, and the cab will stink of fumes (especially with Ro-Smella), I prefer to fill just to under the full line myself. 11.5 quarts or so gets it right every time. The FULL line is there for a reason IMO.