I always believed that when a motor is machined at the factory many times very small (even microscopic) metal shavings will remain inside the block, so every new car I ever bought I changed the oil within 1,000 miles. So I brought my truck in for an oil change at 2,000 miles, but the diesel mechanic told me I shouldn't change it just yet. He said to be careful what I do to it within the first 10,000 miles, because it takes that long for the valves to seat properly. So he cautioned me about changing the oil too frequently, and adding any oil additives such as 'Slick-50' and such.

 

I wonder if it's cuz the engine is brand new or if it's due to your AFE drop-in? I'd keep doing oil analysis. If that doesn't drop to <7 over then next 2 or 3, I'd go to the stock air filter and see what that does. Keep us posted!

 

Could not have been the aFe drop in as it was installed at about 15,000 miles. I am running an average silicon number of 3 with the aFe. I am sure it was becuase it was a new engine, my silicon numbers didn't settle down until my third or fourth oil change. I'm currently at 53K miles.

 

Okay I lost you went from 3,500 to 53,000 miles in the blink of an eye. You say the UOA silicon level at 3,500 miles was 30+ppm, but now it is < 3 at 53K. Plus, you did not add the AFE dropin until 15K. I would say your high silion level was certianly due to a new engine, which is good news for those wkho use oil peated cotton gauze filter users.

In terms of the orignal question in regards to this thread, I really don't think it's necessary to change the oil and filter before the first 7,500 miles. But that is up to each owner. If they sleep better at night with more frequent changes, so be it. In regards to actually changing the oil before the for first schedule B oil/filter change, I don't think it is necessary, otherwise the manual would have that scheduled. As many have mentioned, this engine is one tough mother hen, and it will far out last the chassis with regular oil changes per the maunal. This 5.9 CTD was designed for 20K+ GVW applications (2-3 ton medium duty trucks). It is a medium duty (not to be confused with light duty trucks - i.e. 6.0L Powerstroke or Duramax) diesel so why so **** compulsive? For Christ sakes, just change the fricken oil and filter at 7.500 to 15,000 miles, depending.

 

Sorry for the confusion. My original post was (for me) historical information, I stated that if I had it to do over again I would have made an earlier change. I have had oil analysis done at every change. I have played around with change intervals and bounced back and forth with Premium Blue dino and Extreme. I don't have the reports in front of me but my first report (for silicon) was around 35 or so, the second dropped to the high teens and from there forward they have run from about 7 down. I have had one come in at 1, but most of them come back at 3. From that information I would surmise that new engines are pretty dirty. I have seen none of the doom and gloom that is commonly predicted with the use of cotton gauze filters, but I think that it has a lot to do with how they are oiled. The aFe went in at my third or fourth oil change and it has been cleaned and re-oiled once about two changes ago. I have always used Stratopore filters.

As you stated, it is a personal choice. If you can get five members of this board in one room you will hear at least six descriptions of the "right" oil and the "right" change interval.

 

Thanks for expanding on that Nevada, helps to clear up some concern about high flow filters. Maybe the Stratapore is doing it's job as well? As far as changing the oil and filter, there is certainly no harm done in spending an extra $30 here and there on some extra oil changes. I was just stirring the pot a little with my previous post

 

I am a big fan of doing an engine's first oil change sooner than scheduled. In fact, when I install a new or rebuilt engine into a vehicle, it gets its first oil change right after the road test. When an engine block and components are machined, and during break in, there are many fine particles within the engine. I would just as soon keep the oil clean and fresh.

As for the maintenance schedule, I don't believe the manufacturer always has the customer's best interests in mind. These days, they seem to think "low maintenance" is a big selling feature. I believe they really only care that the vehicle makes it past the warranty period, not that it lasts 400k miles.