My truck was a near new 2009 with 3200 miles on it. It was sold a year ago to a company and returned. I figured I would change the oil since it could be a year old. Changed it at 3500. Then in order to get on my 5k intervals(dealer changes it every 5k for life) I changed it at 5k on their dime. From the 3500 to 5000 mile interval, I thought my oil grew by 1/4 inch. So I decided to sample it. Here are the results.....I learned that you need to change it cold(sitting overnite) and the 12 quarts is perfect on the stick. No mess as well when changeing the filter either. Ill trend the oil every 10k just cause...Just got back from a tucson to san diego to las vegas and back trip and couldnt be happier.....16.5 mpg (thank you J35!! (was 13.1)) unloaded. I love this truck!!!

 

I always change my oil after a night of sitting. I noticed that you had it done in AZ, how much does it cost to have the sample done? Just curious?

 

It was $18. Empire Cat is on the corner of Country Club and Hwy 60.(I think) Might be near you??!!

 

Thanks, its not quite near me but I'm thinking about getting it done. How big of a sample do you bring to them? The graphs you show look quite in depth.

 

you have to go there first and buy the plastic sterile bottle. It includes the analysis. Its about 1/2 cup. Start the oil drain and wait a few seconds then catch it in the bottle. Ive done so many (used to work for cat) that it's not even messy anymore. If you hold the bottle at a 30-40 degree angle then go into the stream about 1/3 of the way, fill up to about 3/4 full and pull out at the same angle, you wont even get a run on the side of the bottle....then cap it and drop it off with the paperwork filled out. My main deal here was to see if I had fuel in the oil. My opinion is the J35 might have solved a few of these issues.......Mining companies running large CAT haul trucks use them on every oil change. If you start to show lots of metal in the oil, you can pull the engine and rebuild it before too many of the expensive internal components go beyond their usefull life. Cheaper for a $100k rebuild than a $250K new engine.......sorry for the rant....just bored.....

 

Hey thanks, those tips will come in handy. I figure I would do it to see whats going on for fun.

 

interesting. I thought you were supposed to change the oil when the motor is warm so it drains better? How come its supposed to be done after sitting overnight?

 

There is wisdom on both sides. If it sits overnight it lets all the oil in the top of the engine drip down into the pan so it can drain out.

 

Like Torquefan said, there are two different schools of thought.

Personally I drain the oil on mine when I get home from a trip on the highway or when the oil is up to operating temp. I finish the oil change the next morning if possible. I believe one of the reasons people get the oil warm is to try to suspend "junk" in the oil so it flows out when it drains.

just my $.02

 

it does drain faster with the oil hot. Just does not drain as much. Cold, I drain it prime the filter and put in the remaining 12 quarts and dont even check the stick till the morning(after running to prime engine the nite before). dead nuts on the stick........If you cant put in 3 gallons WITHOUT going over the full mark, you didnt drain it all out.......

 

I leave 6 quarts of oil in the 1st Gen's Gulf Coast bypass filter on odd year changes when that filter stays in. It only gets changed every other year.

What makes you think a few ounces or even a quart of used oil in the crankcase makes any diference?

Try leaving a jug of used oil sitting for a few weeks, pour it out and then look in the bottom. I guarantee you will change your oil hot from then on.

 

A few weeks vs. over night equals irrelevant.......

 

That sounds like the best way to me. Change it hot and then let it drain as long as possible. As in overnight.