Note: looks like a bad math may be to blame here.

I changed my oil & filter for the fifth time in the same place and manner as done before. Only this time about 3.5 quarts remained in the motor. I didn't notice this until the I dumped 12 quarts of oil into the motor (as the last four changes). Ran the motor for a short time to fill the filter. And noticed the oil was way high on the stick and it was kind of dirty too. So, I had to drain 3.5 quarts to get the correct mark on the stick. What could be the reason for this?

My though is the 1.5" level kit that raised the front 2" is the reason. Although, I have the rear raised 1" also. Maybe now that the motor is tilted back just a bit it can trap much more oil? That's all I can think of at this time.

 

For one thing if you are not filling your oil filter prior to putting it on then you are damaging your truck engine something BAD. Also as a rule of thumb the engine oil should be at normal operating temp prior to draining anyway, this way all of the contaminants are properly suspended in the fluid and can be drained out of the engine. You should also measure or atleast take a good look at the fluid when it comes out as too how much and it's condition when it come out.
You should not pour 3gallons of oil in with out checking the level at about 2-2.5 gallons anyway

 

The motor and oil was at operating temps when changed. Although, I did forget to prefill the new oil filter. Again, something is not the same as before - it held much more old oil this time.

 

I don't buy the "Fill your new filter with oil or else!" warning. I have never done this, and I have never had any problems.

When I change my oil, I just screw on the new filter, fill the crankcase about 90% full with oil and crank the engine. It takes about 5 seconds for the oil pressure to come up at idle. I would guess it takes another 5-10 seconds for the oiling system to totally fill. During this time, the engine is running with no load plus the cylinder walls are still coated with residual oil.

Even if you completely fill the filter, your engine is not going to have oil pressure or 5 seconds while the pickup tube fills. I don't think the extra 5 seconds are going to hurt anything. Besides, I doubt the oil-change monkeys at Jiffy Lube or the Dealership are prefilling filters.

Nothing wrong with doing it, but to me, it just seems unnecessary.

 

CaughtinmyGrill, I'm with you on that one. I did prefill the filter once for some reason - must have read it somewhere. Either way it's no big deal. My biggist concern would be prussure to the turbo bearing.

 

Cummins says to prefill the filter. The filter directly feeds the turbo. It's you call and truck if you don't, but I wouldn't do it with mine. Also note that you need to wait at leat 5 minutes maybe more before you check you oil for it all to get back to the pan.

Pete

 

Prefilling the filter is a must, if you havent had problems with your turbo yet, you will....

 

Bull on the prefill.You can and thats fne but thousands are done daily with out and there fine also.Probaly takes 2 to 3 seconds for oil psi to hit.The sppedi lubes/dealers/ME/etc don't prefill.The only thing I've ever prefilled was fresh built motors in my old hot rodding days.

 

Oh, now, now. Let’s not be so pessimistic about my turbos life.

 

Since everyone else has covered the popular "prefill or not" issue, I will comment on whether your levelling kit is the problem...No. The effective angle of that oil pan changed just a couple of degrees and would not trap 3.5 quarts. I have a 2" levelling kit and have done a couple of oil changes now. I drain the old oil into gallon jugs to see how much is coming out, and I have been getting right at 3 gallons.

How soon after you last ran the engine did you change the oil? It could be that you did not give it enough time to all drain down to the pan. That is my guess. I usually run mine to operating temp then let it sit for 30-40 minutes and then change it.

FYI, I do prefill the filter...

 

I pulled the plug & dropped the filter while the motor was still hot. Didn't reinstall the drain plug until 25 minutes after removing it (plenty of time). Same garage & method as every other time. I'm very sure I replace 12 full quarts of Rotella T in the past and the dipstick showed in the safe zone.

I guessing oil got help-up other than the pan itself. More like other places on the motor. I intend to jack-up the rear next time to see if I get better results. It's baffling.

 

How many beers before dumping in the "12" quarts? I know for me, my counting gets kinda skewed after the first 6 or so beers and when you have to count quarts as well as beers then it's a real challenge. What's the chance you poured in 16 quarts instead of 12?

Uuuuuh, didn't we already hijack someone else's thread recently trying to debate the pros and cons of prefill?

 

I only have 2 other things.

1. Do you know how much came out when you drained it?

2. Check it first thing in the morning and make sure it's not low just in case since you drained out 3.5 quarts.

I'm sure the levelling kit has nothing to do with it. I'm as baffled as you are.

 

You got me! I did sip a few down. To make things even worse. My dangblasted glass eye fell out into the crankcase fill hole too. Man, what a day!

I always use the 1 gallon (4 quart) jugs. Are you suggesting this dumba$$ put in 16 quarts rather than 12...............maybe you're correct. I'll purchase a calculator on my next oil run

 

sounds like a to pre-fill or not to pre-fill war cometh