Hey guys. Just got my truck 2 days ago, I LOVE IT!!!!!

I have about 800 miles on it so far, and just got around to checking the oil. I notice it seems to be a bit overfilled, maybe a centimeter or so past the hatch marks in the 'safe' area of the dipstick. Has anyone else noticed their oil being overfilled from the factory? Where on the dipstick is the point where it's agreed to be too much oil?

The 6 disc in dash changer seems to be a bit tempermental, wondered if anyone else had probs with it. It was perfect for a few hours, then all of a sudden it wouldn't release or play disc 1 or 2. It just made a repeated clicking noise, and then said disc error. Somehow it decided it would finally spit it out a while later, however I'm a bit hesitant now to use it.

MY GOD the 4x4 is high off the ground! I have to use a little stepladder to see/get inside the engine compartment. Is there any picture of the engine labeled showing the parts on this forum? Where approximately is the oil filter, I haven't spotted it yet..?

Looking underneath I see a big silver pan that says 'reuseable gasket/Oil pan" but no drain plug. A bit forward of that I see a black pan with a plug at the bottom, that looks like it accepts a 3/8" drive. Am I correct in assuming this is the drain plug?

Thanks guys for help with the newbie questions :P

 

[quote author=Lightman link=board=20;threadid=21370;start=0#msg200445 date=1066940469]
Hey guys. Just got my truck 2 days ago, I LOVE IT!!!!!

I have about 800 miles on it so far, and just got around to checking the oil. I notice it seems to be a bit overfilled, maybe a centimeter or so past the hatch marks in the 'safe' area of the dipstick. Has anyone else noticed their oil being overfilled from the factory? Where on the dipstick is the point where it's agreed to be too much oil?

The 6 disc in dash changer seems to be a bit tempermental, wondered if anyone else had probs with it. It was perfect for a few hours, then all of a sudden it wouldn't release or play disc 1 or 2. It just made a repeated clicking noise, and then said disc error. Somehow it decided it would finally spit it out a while later, however I'm a bit hesitant now to use it.

MY GOD the 4x4 is high off the ground! I have to use a little stepladder to see/get inside the engine compartment. Is there any picture of the engine labeled showing the parts on this forum? Where approximately is the oil filter, I haven't spotted it yet..?

Looking underneath I see a big silver pan that says 'reuseable gasket/Oil pan" but no drain plug. A bit forward of that I see a black pan with a plug at the bottom, that looks like it accepts a 3/8" drive. Am I correct in assuming this is the drain plug?

Thanks guys for help with the newbie questions :P
[/quote]

When I picked up my truck it was filled perfectly. Possibly the dealer added a little too much during pre-inspection, or didn't let it settle in the pan before adding more?

As for the factory stereo, I can't really vouch for it's quality as I replaced it with an aftermarket unit the next day. I wanted something that would play my MP3 CDs and had a little more power. It definitely sounds like yours may have a problem though. I would have the dealer swap it with another one since you are still under warranty.

You are right about the height. Me being 6'4", I still find it a little uncomfortable to work without a small stepladder.

The oil filter is located down low on the passenger side of the block. Look under the front right wheel and you should find it pretty easily...it's huge. You are correct about the drain plug. It is the recessed 3/8 plug in the bottom of the black pan. The silver pan must be for your 48RE...I've got the 6spd, so maybe someone else can chime in on this.

Hope this helps and congrats on the new truck!!!

 

On mine when the oil is checked per the book it is the same as yours, 1 tick above the full line. I have changed the oil 2 times and it ALWAYS reads the same. So I know it wasn't nor isn't overfilled.

 

I've always been taught that you fill to the top of the hatch marks where it says 'safe' , and not over that.... Are you guys generally filling OVER and PAST them?

Thanks for the info guys.

 

Yeah I always try to get it as accurate as possible, but I've overfilled slightly before. I honestly doubt a centimeter over will make that big of a difference.

 

Overfilling usually just results in excess oil coming out the CCV. I wonder if thats why most people get that stink/smell when the trucks are new and after oil changes....

 

[quote author=Lightman link=board=20;threadid=21370;start=0#msg200482 date=1066945756]
Overfilling usually just results in excess oil coming out the CCV. I wonder if thats why most people get that stink/smell when the trucks are new and after oil changes....
[/quote]

That actually makes a lot of sense. Mine only stunk for a few hundred miles, so i'll have to see what happens on my next oil change.

 

I'd be interested to see if the oil is filled within the safe marks if it still stinks.

 

lightman: sorry if this was already answered: yes, that 3/8" drive is the oil drain plug. I replaced mine with a hex drive plug with a magnetic tip. did that at the first oil change - 2,000 miles.

I will say this: these guys run CLEAN!. 2,000 miles on the first oil and its looks like it came right out of the bottle.

and they must have fired the gorilla that puts on the factory oil filter. Mine came off easily.

another cool thing: compared to my 02, the crank holds 1 qt more. now its exactly 3 gals. woo hoo!

so when are the TST boxes available?

 

[quote author=Doug link=board=20;threadid=21370;start=0#msg200527 date=1066952737]
so when are the TST boxes available?
[/quote]

That's what i'm wondering too. This way I can kill two birds with one stone. I'll have gauges and a box all in one nifty unit.

 

[quote author=Doug link=board=20;threadid=21370;start=0#msg200527 date=1066952737]
and they must have fired the gorilla that puts on the factory oil filter. Mine came off easily.
[/quote]

Naw, either he moved to another plant or he was off the day they built your truck. My filter almost needed a cutting torch to get it off. Not to mention that they really could have done a better job of placement.

 

I checked mine last night at it is still a little high just like described. I was going to change it this weekend as I was getting close to 1000 miles but the oil still looks so clean I think I am going to wait a bit.

 

I was thinking that same thing about the diesel smell I get in the cab when stopped at a light. That it could be related to slightly overfilling in the crankcase, my new 03 is slightly high on the dipstick.

No change in the level at all so far after 4k miles...I may have a long wait ;D

But, I will probably do my first oil change before 5k, I'll just be carefull not to overfill and see what happens.

Ron W.

 

i don't own a dodge yet but do remember reading a post on here about a letter from cummins regarding the diesel smell issue at a light about the seal being complete from the engine compartment to the cab...

try a search

 

Lightman,

The oil level in my engine is high as well. It is at least 1/2" above the top fill mark. I noticed this about a week after I took delivery, but haven't talked to the dealer about it yet. I did read something about not letting the engine idle in cold weather as the low engine temps can allow unburned fuel to leak past the rings and into the crankcase polluting the oil and raising the level on the stick. Incidently engines that burn regular gas and are driven for short distances in the winter have a similar problem with condensation forming in the crankcase and raising the oil level as well. Obviously this isn't our problem, but something to think about if you live in a colder climate.

With respect to the disc changer, mine has worked without any problem. Yours might be a "dud".