x2

3 gallons in the engine, about one quart in the filter.

 

Glad someone sees it my way....

 

That's what I do and the dipstick is coated to the top of the plastic piece,way over full!

 

Um,, let me get this straight, the owners manual says 12 qts, but we should bag that idea and put 13 qts in per what the dipstick tells us is full

 

Well one of 'em is lying so flip a coin and guess which one.
I know what you're saying but it's hard to ignore what the dipstick is telling you.

 

I would go with the owners manual. When the engine is produced it is to pretty exact dimensions, in turn it takes a certain amount of oil. The dipstick could and does vary some based on my experiance with my own truck. with 12 qts it shows a 1/4 inch over the full mark on the dipstick everytime. Others on this forum have had the same issue with dipsticks being "off" I think that its more prudent and safe to go with 12 qts no matter what the dipstick indicates.

We shouldnt let the dipstick scare us..

 

Like the manual says, the engine only requires/needs 3 gallons (12 quarts) of oil.
At the risk of sounding patronizing: Get 3 unopened gallons of oil ready. After completely draining all the hot oil out (I think it flys out a little quicker if you remove the oil cap while draining) and removing the old filter. Put the drain plug back in (I didn't want to leave that part out-it's important). Fill the new filter with oil (like 07Blue said) letting the media absorb ALL the oil. When it's completely absorbed and the filter is FULL, take some of the clean oil from the filter on your finger and rub it around the filter gasket, clean the base that the filter screws to and install the filter (3/4 turn after gasket contacts base-I put a mark on it).

You should have around 11 gallons of oil left now, put it all in the engine. Give it TIME to run down, it is a big block, you can tell by the sound/volume of the oil hitting the inside of the oil pan when you 1st pour it in.
Start the engine & let it idle for awhile. Shut it off & give it time to run back down again and check it by putting a freshly wiped dip stick all the way into the tube seated, retract and it should be just a hair below the full line. Mine always is. You MUST be on level ground to get an accurate dipstick reading, if you're not don't sweat it. If you've put a total of 12 quarts in your good-that's what it takes.

If your oil level keeps going up and your checking it right you may have fuel or anti-freeze going in it, this would not be good. If it's going down you may be losing it through blow by or leakage, make sure none is in your anti-freeze. Do make sure you're checking it right. Know the difference between the actual oil level on the stick and oil that was still inside the tube (and got all over the stick) when you put the stick back in to check it. You are removing it-wiping it, then putting it back in right? I apologize if this did sound patronizing but it really seems like some of you may not be clear on this. It just appeared like somebody needed to go through the whole thing step by step.
MW

 

I know it was only a typo but after you put so much effort in your post it did make me chuckle a bit.

 

We may have some future politicians here dipsticks!!!

 

The slightest incline on a driveway will throw off the reading quite a bit.

Plus, some of the 3rd gens like to make oil when they're bored, so beware of that phenomenon. (can of worms now completely opened)

garrett

 

I'd nix the coin toss and ignore the dipstick. I'd say check with the dealer but after my experience with Dodge dealer shops I would trust the people on this forum, some that are way more knowledgeable than me or any of the shmucks I've encountered at the dealerships.
The only oil pans I'm aware ever being put on these trucks are the 12 quart ones. I know there are 15 quart ones available for other non-truck Cummins applications but I think our trucks only got 12 quart pans. With some gas engines there can be more than one choice for dipsticks, small block Chevy for example has 2 lengths.

If you're getting actual erroneous readings I would (like I said) make sure all the oil is out of the engine and put the 12 quarts (11+1) back in the engine and get on LEVEL ground. You can scribe a new mark on your stick if you've verified that your tube is seated all the way into the block and you are putting the stick in the tube all the way. I certainly hope you don't have a quart of sludge (if that's possible) in your oil pan...

Your truck has a 12 quart oil pan. Overfilling hurts gas mileage and can be hard on seals. Underfilling could cause the pump to suck air- REAL BAD for your bearings, cam etc.
MW

 

with a turbo you are required to add 1/2 qt. To the filler before installation. Then 12 qts. Directly to the motor.