I put 500 miles on my truck driving around town doing a combination of short and medium drives. In January, at about 800 miles I towed an empty three horse trailer from Fort Worth, TX to Orange County, CA. I spent one week there with a few short and medium trips without the trailer. At the end of the week I loaded two horses and 3K of gear and drove back to Fort Worth. After returning I spent another week driving around town and at 3,600 miles I had the oil and filter changed and I had them put in synthetic oil.<br><br>My question is have I done something wrong? If so, what damage did I do and what, if anything, can I do to correct it?<br><br>FWIW &quot;Long time listener first time caller.&quot; <br>

 

You may have lengthed the actual full breakin period for your engine. I believe Cummins says wait until 15K before using synthetic. The problem is that it has more lubricating properties than dino oil, there for the rings will be harder to get properly seated and the seals may not seal fully. You could very well see no problems but this is my experience. When building new engines(gasser V8's) during the initial startup and 20-30 minute cam and ring break in I use the cheapest stuff, WITHOUT ANY ADDITIVES. This forces the rings to seat faster and make a better seal to the cylinder. Then I change the oil to normal Dino, heavy weight, and change it every 1K for the first 3K miles. Never had one fail for improper seating, or for any reason for that matter.<br>Brian <br>Volvo Trucks Technical Support

 

Should I switch back to regular oil, or, is it too late?

 

Just my opinion, but I'd leave it in until your next change interval, then go back to base stock oil until you hit 15-20K. I believe the number of miles are lower if you pull heavy loads.

 

I agree with Comatoze. ;D

 

I agree with Gary, Don't worry about it, just enjoy the truck. If it really bothers you switch back to normal oil at your next oil change.

 

snice,

Cummins says the break-in period for heavy towing and/or heavy loads is 10,000 miles. Break-in without loading is up to 25,000 miles.

Daimler/Chrysler states in the owner's manual that the break-in is 6,000 miles, 10,000 km. The owner's manual states that using synthetic oil during the break-in period will prevent proper break-in. This may result in excessive oil usage down the road. If you did have early engine failure it could cause warran ty problems.

I personally try to follow the owner's manual recommendations. Many of us will consider switching to synthetic after 20,000 miles and not before.

 

I have a friend at work that put it in his at the first oil change and the truck has well over 100k on it now. No adverse effects.

 

Don't worry about it at all and make sure when you get your next oil change with synthetic, that you use a DIESEL specific synthetic, like Mobil Delvac 1. Something with an API rating of CH-4 or CI-4, which are specifically designed for diesels.<br><br>Don't worry about switching to synthetic early, that nonsense about rings not seating well is history IMO. Many automakers including Mercedes benz, volkswagen, bmw, and more are filling their cars with synthetic right from the factory and mandate it's use. Many times the break in oil from the factory is of a slightly lower viscosty than is recommended to aid in break in, but you have driven plenty. If your break in takes a tad longer thats no big deal. Congrats on the new truck.

 

The Q&amp;A below was lifted from the FAQ section of the Cummins web site. http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/p.../faq/index.cfm Take it for what its worth.

There is no break in oil used on our engines. I believe it's Valvoline Premium Blue API CI-4 15W-40. I'd also point out that that the B5.9 series engine is day and night different than a high reving gasoline engine; lower revs, higher torque and compression ratio, parent bore cylinders, etc, etc.




What guidelines do I follow to properly break in my Cummins engine?

The only requirements when breaking in your Cummins engine is that you keep the fluids topped off and use a standard petroleum-based oil for the first two drain intervals. Cummins also recommends not idling the engine for more than 5 minutes and to work the engine during the break-in period.

 

CH-4 is a No No for the 2003. CI-4 is what Owner's Manual states. Wally World carries Rotella, Delvac, and Delo all CI-4 in gallons. Some old stock may be on the shelves.

 

Be sure not to use the term Delvac loosely. Wal-mart carries the delvac 1300, which is a FAR FAR cry from the ultimate in quality, Delvac 1 (full synthetic ci-4, 5w-40). While delvac 1 is harder to find , its about as simple as it gets to buy online and have it ups'ed to your door...

 

Lightman, where do you find Devlac online? Can you get it in any container other than 1-gallon size? I buy locally for about $22 per gallon. I ran Delvac 1 on the last truck with 20K change intervals with 3 Stratapore changes. Planning on the same with the '03 once I hit 20K.<br><br>Vaughn

 

Delvac 1 can be had in gallon jugs, 5 gallon pails, and 55 gal drums I believe. I'll pm you where you can buy online, I'm new to this forum and not sure how it works. Some forums freak out if you put links to vendors other than sponsors...