Yep, use the dipstick, the manual, 12 quarts with a new filter of the proper oil, and you won't have any oil related warranty problems.

 

That's probably why my system fell off and it currently under inspection for proper operation.

Actually, there are mostly several reason for this and they all need to be fixed really.

The factory manual shows capacity. For this to be 100% accurate, you would have to 100% remove every trace of oil from the motor and systems. Capacity is a reference. The dip stick is a gauge to make sure the level is proper and should be followed. The emission system will cause the oil level increase which does also affect the oils ability to do it job to an extent because of dilution.

Choose your margin of safety and act accordingly. Following the manual and gauges is the way to ensure this minimally.

 

What I find so interesting is that it seems that most people on this forum just add 3 gallons and call it good. But every other vehicle forum i have ever been on it the opposite, go off the dipstick not the published quantity.

I mean think about the design of the oil pan, the threads probably keep a 1/2 qt or so of oil in there that is "part" of the 3 gallon capacity.

 

Crazy to think that your oil is diluted by 1/2gal with diesel after only 4k miles....man, doesn't your rig warm up before you drive away? I'm not bashing you-just wondering...

 

The making of the oil does not have much about warming it up or not. It is due to the extra fuel being used to clean the envirnoment. Inevitably, it gets in the oil that way warm or not. 0.5 gal is less than 5% of the rated capacity...

 

Mega-engr is right, the fuel dilution is due to the regeneration cycles. I drive my truck 20+ miles to work each way, so it was getting warm.

With my 2007.5 6.7L truck, I pulled an oil sample each time the "change oil" message appeared in the overhead console. The message usually appeared around 4,500 miles. My % fuel dilution was almost always above 2% and once was 5.5%.

Now with my new 2009, I was able to go 7,500 miles before I got the "change oil" message (7,500 is the max interval allowed and will trigger the message). My fuel dilution on that oil was 1.5%. Same driving conditions.

 

You guys ever seen a crankcase explosion caused by Diesel Fuel in the oil pan? It's not pretty.

If you guys are right and want you're expierencing is an overfull crankcase casued by Diesel Fuel, I would get it to a dealer or a Cummins Service facility and have them change the oil with both you and the service facility getting a sample to sent off to verify the percentage of dilution. A vis guage can tell you if you have diesel in the oil, if you can get a sample.

This got so bad offshore on unmanned platforms, and some manned drilling platforms, that relief valves were installed to vent the explosion and shut the engine down, there by avoiding the fire that usually begins when this happens.

I would not play around with this as it could be a really bad thing.

Dave

 

When i change the oil on my truck its the other way around, i let i t drain for 30 minutes and pour the capacity on the manual and drive it around let it sit for 30 min and my dipstick is on the lowside by half an inch.

Should i add more oil than the capacity of the engine calls for even thought the dipstick is more than 1/2" below the full mark?

I talked to the dealer about it and they said their techs pump the capacity of the engine every time they change the oil in customer trucks they dont bother with the dipstick either.

 

I would go off the dipstick.

 

Go with capacity and check the level after it sits overnight.

 

I would love to go longer on the oil changes but I figure it this way: if 4000 miles creates an extra 2 quarts then 9000 miles would put me over one gallon too full! I ain't gonna wait for that to happen, even if it is a waste of oil and $$ to change it every 4k miles.

If the only way to minimize this problem is by unplugging the EGR and perhaps "losing" a few more parts I'll have to give that serious consideration. Makes you wonder, though, that if D/C expected oil levels to rise in these new vehicles then perhaps they designed 'em to run with 4 gallons of oil. I doubt it, though

EDIT: I forgot to add, I didn't notice any diesel fuel smell in the old oil. I even gave it the "paper towel" test to see if fuel was present and it didn't show any. I know, that isn't a professional test but at least my nose didn't detect anything but oil. If there was a half gallon of fuel in there I think I would have noticed it. I could be wrong, but that's why I visit these forums to hear from the experts.

 

I don't see how your getting so much extra and not able to smell any fuel. Something isn't right.

I am going to ponder a little over a few beers tonight and see if my imagination can't comeup with something.

 

Whether you go with capacity or sneak up on it, use the dipstick. It is the gauge designed to ensure the level is correct. There is no known issue with it, or it would have been resolved by now.

I've heard that once the emissions falls off that the oil not only seems to stay put level wise, but also stays cleaner longer.

When you're not feeding your motor it own refuse and squirting extra fluid into the combustions chamber then it makes a lot of sense to me the the oil level and color/qualtiy would seem/act "normal".

 

Per the service manual

To ensure proper lubrication of an engine, the engine
oil must be maintained at an acceptable level. The
acceptable oil level is in the SAFE RANGE (3) on the
engine oil dipstick

 

Making oil is not normal, regardless of the emission equipment on the vehicle. If you are making 2 qts of oil in 4k miles then i hope you have plans on putting an engine in it. The added soot in the oil caused by egr is masking the smell of the fuel. Fuel enters the oil from a leaking injector tube, an over fueling injector, low egt's, excessive idling. If it is not an injector tube then it is bypassing the piston rings from what we call wet stacking. Oil left on the cyl wall mixing with unatomized diesel fuel diluting the oil. This is a progressive cycle, and cause rapid catastrophic failure.

If an engine is run up to and at full operating temp and is not idled excessively then in my opinion, a fuel dilution of >1.5% is too high and would get my immediate attention.