OK, the 3750 mark has been broken on the new truck. Now let me start with by stating that I aint the most handy guy around a garage. So I was a little worried taking on the oil change by myself. But thanks to the information that I have gotten here on the forums, I succeeded with minimal mess.

Went to my local Cummins shop and picked up my Fleetgaurd Stratapore Filter, and asked for their recommendation on oil. They tossed me 3 gallons of Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40. If you want more information on this oil check out: Valvoline Premium Blue. I hadn't seen any discussion on this oil in the forums, so was a little leary about it, but they said it was the way to go, and at $8 a gallon, it didn't seem unreasonable.

I swung by Wal-Mart and picked up the 6-in-1 filter wrench and a nice long extension for my Ratchet. I also picked up a couple of ramp to drive the truck up on to elevate the front and make some more room for my large frame to get under the truck easier. I also got a 15qt drain bucket.

So got home, drove the truck up on the ramps, and had a ton of space to get under the truck, I could roll over easily under there and did not feel at all crammed, good investment in my mind. Found the oil filter easily enough, and identified the oil pan. I was half way there. 8)

I identified the drain plug in the bottom middle of the pan, but was a little confused that it wasn't a regular bolt that I could throw a wrench on. After looking at it for several minutes and trying to figure out what they had done to me, it dawned on me that my 3/8 inch ratchet might fit right in there. Yeah, a snug fit! (I told you I was new to this.) I got the 15qt collection bucket under the drain and opened the little bleeder valve to make sure air could get out and the oil would go into the thing quickly. Took out the drain plug and was instantly amazed and the speed with which that oil came out! The collection container was filling faster than its little drain hole could get the oil in and I was instantly in danger of an overflow situation. The only thing I could think to do was to take the cap off the spout that you use to empty the thing, and that helped enough to prevent the overflow I was on the verge of. I never imagined just how much 11 quarts was, and teetering on the brink of a big mess in my driveway really made it seem longer than it was.

Now I had to get the filter off. For the record my factory one was grey. I don't know what beast put that filter on, but it was a real pain to get off. I would not recommend the cheap plastic 6-in-1 filter wrench when trying to deal with a filter that was as tight as mine. I had a lot of slippage and it took a lot of coaxing to get that original filter off. I attacked the filter from underneath and it was easy access. Didn't have to disconnect anything and only had a couple of small drops escape during the descent of the removed filter.

Put the plug back in, filled up the new filter and attached it, and then filled the remaining 11 quarts into the case. I decided to go for a spin and make sure everything was OK. I found that my oil pressure was reading abnormally high. It went the far right of what is allowed to be normal. As the engine got warmed up and I moved her out a bit, the pressure started coming back to the middle of the gauge. Anyone care to comment on this?

Well nothing is leaking and everything seems to be working well. I am satisfied that I have tackled my first task on the new truck and am already looking forward to the next change.


(edited by moderator to shorten Link to fit page EA)

 

I've used Valvoline Premium Blue for all but one oil change.
(tried AMSOIL once).
It's what Cummins puts in from the factory.

 

Sounds like a job well done. ;D

 

Great job on the learning experience! I think you have the same catch can as me, not joking, as the description sounds the same. I did get that BIG mess in my driveway; my solution was to cut the hole larger with a knife and it has worked great since.

4x4

 

I sure wouldn't get under my truck if it was up on some Wall Mart ramps. My truck weighs 7000lbs empty and so does yours. Most of the weight is in the front. Be careful

2 cents and no change on this!!!

 

I wouldn't get under a truck on ramps either. Years ago, when I was changing oil in my Mustang, the ramps collapsed. I was greatful I wasn't under the thing when it happened, but it sure made a mess as it happened while the oil was draining.

 

[quote author=mymaur link=board=20;threadid=20924;start=0#msg196298 date=1066072126]
I sure wouldn't get under my truck if it was up on some Wall Mart ramps. My truck weighs 7000lbs empty and so does yours. Most of the weight is in the front. Be careful

2 cents and no change on this!!!
[/quote]

Thanks for the thought stirrer. I didn't realize that much of my 9979 pounds was over the front axles. I got the ramps rated for 12,000 GVWR. I'm kinda bummed that they may not be such a good idea... It sure worked great.

 

I too use ramps on my truck. Bought them from Autozone. If I remember correctly they're rated for 12,000 pounds...which is MORE than enough to carry the weight of the truck. When using ramps though....I NEVER let any part of my body get behind the wheels. I slide up under it from the front end or the rear end in such a way that if the brakes / chocks give out then it rolls away from me instead of over me.

Ramps are perfectly safe if used correctly. Make sure they're sitting on flat, stable ground (like the floor of my garage) and make sure the tires are seated in the center of each ramp. Set the brake and put chocks in front of and behind the wheels. I'd feel much safer about climbing under a truck on ramps than climbing under a truck on a jack or jack stands.

 

Great work Viper and Welcome!

Changing the oil in the CTD is very easy once you get the first oil filter off. My 4X4 is tall enough that I do not need ramps. I do share others concerns about putting a 7k plus truck on ramps and crawling under it.

In any event, I use Rotella oil and have heard good things about Valvoline PB. If Cummins uses it its got to be pretty good. On my first change I just about spilled it all over the drive. : I drilled a couple of extra drip hole in the catch pan and enlarged the main drain and mine now never gets up that high when draining the oil.

The engines calls for 11 qts in the pan and one in the filter. Make sure you pre fill your filter prior to installing it. Some don't but most do. It will get oil to the required parts faster just after the change.

goat

 

I get under my 2 wheel drive without ramps.
I keep a piece of cardboad from a refridgerator box to put on the ground when I need to slide under the truck.
Stole the idea from Butch at the last Claremont Meet&Eat.

Ed

 

[quote author=Shovelhead link=board=20;threadid=20924;start=0#msg196357 date=1066081289]
I get under my 2 wheel drive without ramps.[/quote]

I CAN get under my truck without ramps, but it's dreadfully uncomfortable. The 8 inch lift provided by the ramps sure makes it more pleasurable to work on.

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=20924;start=0#msg196365 date=1066081872]
I CAN get under my truck without ramps, but it's dreadfully uncomfortable. The 8 inch lift provided by the ramps sure makes it more pleasurable to work on.
[/quote]

I may not be as "Horizontally Challenged" as you are Hoss.

 

Maybe not....that 8.96 inch clearance (or something like that) makes it awfully hard to get my chest under the truck. As long as I let all my air out and don't breath I'm okay.

 

Viper,
I think the reason for the pressure reading high at first was because the oil was cold, so essentially it was like starting up in the morning. (Oil is more viscous=pressure is increased)
Sounds perfectly normal to me.

 

I am able to get under my 4x4...on a creeper...just though.

;D