Nimrod

Howdy, I understand that you get a different oil level check reading on the dipstick after the engine is warm than cold. There is supposed to be another quart that drops down via some check valve once the engine cools. Just changed my oil yesterday and left it a quart low until I get this figured out, just dont want to over fill her. Is this just some rumor? I use Castrol 15-40 diesel, what do you all think?
Nimrod

kry226

Manual says it's best to check it after sitting all night, if I read it correctly.

RamDan03

Yep, I always make sure I let it sit a while....the manual suggests 15 minutes I believe. I usually wait a little longer. Also, make sure you are on level ground so the reading is as accurate as possible. It's amazing how much it will be off if you are parked on a slope.

Nimrod

Alright, I will do just that, check it in the morning. Thank you for your input, Nimrod

SuperGewl

The manual states that it should be at operating temp but have been shut down for about 15 minutes. So wait until you go somewhere aand park it, then check it when you come out before starting it up

JKE

supergewl is correct....check warm after sitting for apprx. 15 mins. Good to go....JKE

Lightman

I've found the level doesn't change from cold to warm, provided the engine has been run a while after it's had an oil change. Of course, you have to let it sit so that it all drains down to the pan for an accurate reading. As posted above, its CRUCIAL you are on flat/level ground for an accurate reading. I was overfilling for a while until I realized my garage had a slight uphill slope and my readings were all a bit lower than they were in actuality. Good luck, this isn't rocket science, I'm sure you'll do fine.

I've found that even after draining till there are no more drips, I can add about 11.5 quarts to get just below the FULL line in the 'safe' range. dumping in 12 quarts(including the filter) always overfills mine by a tad, so I generally just dump until the 3rd gallon of oil gets pretty light, then start and run it, let it settle, and check.

Not sure what castrol 15w40 is, but I don't think it's a diesel oil. You shoud be using a diesel rated oil - preferably with the API CI-4 rating. Even if you dont want to use synthetic, use a diesel oil like Delvac 1300, Rotella, or Delo....

SuperGewl

What Lightman said about the oil. If it isn't CI-4 the you are putting in regular moteor oil and it isn't designed for Heavy Duty applications. You will most definatly BURN your engine in real quick But when it seizes up you will be forking out another 10K for a new one

Nimrod

OOH, thats a no-no, this Castrol RX Super in a Heavy Duty Multigrade SAE 15W-40 "engineered for car and light truck diesel engines" as the bottle says. Writen also, "meets the performance requirements of the Cummins CES 20071 specifications also says recommended for API service C1-4, CG-4, CF-4 and CF/SJ or SH" I used this in my last 93 Dodge Diesel and it always worked incredible for me, it was 20w 50 though. That truck seamed to run consistant the full time I owned it. Thanks for the info gents. Nimrod

Lightman

Nimrod the 3rd gen trucks require CI-4 not CH-4...CH4 is the old standard....

Nimrod

Yea, I needed my glasses on, that is CI-4 not CH-4, thanks, Nimrod

Hoss

I think as long as you check the oil on level ground after the truck has been sitting for 15 minutes or longer then you'll get an accurate reading. For what it's worth, I always put 12 quarts in mine at the oil change and it puts it just a tad below the full line....right in the safe zone.

By the way, use Mobile Delvac 1300 Super.....there IS no other oil.

Vaughn MacKenzie

Running CH or even CG in your truck certainly won't hurt it. CI has even greater soot control because of EGR on many diesel engines these days, not an issue with the Cummins due to no EGR.

Vaughn

kry226

Is it possible that they changed the oil checking specs from '03 to '04? I could have swore it said checking in the morning is best. I will verify today.

bulabula

I always check mine in the morning to ensure that I have a stable oil level (in other words it's all drained back into the pan).

I don't think the thermal expansion/contraction properties of the oil (hot vs cold) will have an adverse affect when checking the oil level.