OK Guys,

1- I'm ok with doing the routine maintenance on the truck...but....someone tell me exactly how your supposed to wipe out the fuel filter well and wipe off the sensor? I can't get my hand down there or see for that matter!!!

2- I try to keep my oil level at the perfect full mark. Why after draining the pan and the filter I only wind up with about 10.5 quarts?

3- The front and rear diffs level can be anywhere from .5 inch from the fill hole to all the way full? Have mine at .25 inches from the hole.

4- Anyone know when it's appropriate to clean the AFE PG7 filter, mines dirty but not overly bad.

Thanks

Jamie

 

I wadded up paper towels and swirled them in the fuel canister to wipe any residue off. I did not have really any that was visible. It should not be that hard to see...try a different viewing angle.

I have never ever be able to remove all the oil I have put into any engine. Some is consumed, some stays in, and even more is absorbed into the filter. It is ussually why it does not take all 12 quarts to reach the full line after replacing the oil. I would not worry about it...

I believe your diff oil levels are correct. That is where mine have been.

It is a tough call when it is time to clean the air filter. I can most of the time run 20k or more. If it looks real bad...or staring to look like the oil is dirty from the inside, I would clean. Some people have been able to monitor the gauge for some pull down indicating additional restriction. It does not hurt to do it too often, unless you over or under oil.

 

Thanks guys.

When should one check the oil level. Common sense tells me to check it in the morning on a level serface so all the oil has dripped into the bottom... the owners manual I think says to check it warm after 15 min of sitting. which tech. should I use?

Thanks

Jamie

 

As far as cleaning the fuel filter bowl, put yourself a 2ltr coke bottle on the drain hose and then open the drain valve after you have the filter out or even before the filter is out. That is the best way to get the fuel out and alow you to see the bottem of the bowl.
As far as the oil level check, yes check it when the oil has reached normal op temp. Let is sit for about 15 minutes on level ground and then check it.

 

Don't wory about your oi level all that much. It's better to overfill by a hair than to underfill by a hair, imho.

Fill your diffs all the way to the hole. This will make sure the axle seals don't run dry. Foaming lube isn't really an issue as long as you don't add some "improver" like Lucas. Just use a quality synthetic lube and nothing else.

As for the PG7-- DO NOT CLEAN IT UNTIL YOU HAVE EGT issues! Overcleaning a cotton-gauze filter is a fast wasy to reduce engine life. Oiled gauze filters actually filter BETTER when dirty than they do when clean. So enjoy the benefits of better filtration until the filter starts to be a restriction.

I changed my OEM paper filter at 30K and it was a waste. Sure, it LOOKED dirty, but it was obviously flowing just fine as my EGT didn't change a lick.

Justin

 

AAM the axel manufacture says NOT to fill to the drain hiole.Says there OVERFILLED THEN.They give a prescribed amount they hold.

 

I've had several diesels and each one seems to stabilize oil level at some point that may not be exactly at the "full" mark. If your engine settles down at something that looks 1/2 quart low, then watch it carefully to see if it stays there. Bringing it back up to the "full" mark may not be best for the engine. I have a 200HP Volvo turbo diesel in my boat that cannot be kept at the full level but it never drops below midway between "full" and "add oil." Where does the extra oil go? Maybe gets burned but why put oil in that won't stay there?

 

My truck has never taken 12 quarts (before the amsoil bypass). I also let the oil drip and drain for a long time. The most i've ever put in, including filling the filter, has been about 11.5 quarts, to get me right to the full line. I think if the capacity is 12 quarts, it's silly to dump in a full 12 quarts, because you certainly aren't getting ALL the oil out each time you drain. There will be some in the corner of the pan, in the oil lines, and various areas of the engine. Being right at the full line is of no concern, and I certainly wouldn't recommend any overfilling. Remember your truck has a relatively large sump, and the difference between add and full on the dipstick is only 1 quart. Anywhere in the safe area of the dipstick is fine. As people have said, follow cummins' recommendation (on the dipstick) and your owners manual. They put that range on the dipstick there for a reason - stay within it, it's not difficult.

As far as fuel filter changing, I just drain the fuel out and replace the filter and o-ring. I wiped the filter housing out the first time I changed the filter and got nothing.