Diesel oil color after change?

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Maybe not cost effective, but great for peace of mind at near 300,000 miles.

My Cummins powered TV has 318,000 miles running Delo changed every 5,000 miles with a Cummins Stratapore filter. Probably going to blow up any minute.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Desert185

My Cummins powered TV has 318,000 miles running Delo changed every 5,000 miles with a Cummins Stratapore filter. Probably going to blow up any minute.

Yep, ticking time bomb, you're probably only good for another 5-600,000 miles.

I know you are aware of this info, but I'll throw it out here just for discussion purposes. Diesel oil is very high in detergents for the cleaning and suspension of the soot. It also has very high TBN compared to "S" oil to help with the acid neutralization (6-8 vs 12-14). Based on oil analysis I've done, Delo typically starts out around a 12 TBN, after 5k miles, it's probably at 8-9. The only factor reducing your oils ability is burn off which will change the viscosity, but not enough to be worried about. I used to do the 5k mile oil change, I've switched to 10k. Oil analysis showed very consistent wear for both and TBN numbers were still good. In fact, they recommended I run to 12-13k miles before changing, but 10 is just easier to remember.

[Desert185]

I have thought of extended intervals and did them in the past with a previous Cummins. Now that I live in a dusty rural environment on a dirt road and tow more I am more concerned with doing a severe service interval. Probably should do an oil analysis checking for oil quality and silicon to know for sure. I get the Delo on sale at Costo for what amounts to $10/gal, so the present 5,000 mile interval isn't breaking the bank and it jives with my tire rotation/lube schedule.

When I was younger I was a big advocate of 2-3,000 mile oil changes, but oil capability has improved so much over the years along with the advances in gas engines and unleaded gas that those intervals are a waste of money. The gas engined road vehicles get Mobil 1...again, from Costco.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Desert185

I have thought of extended intervals and did them in the past with a previous Cummins. Now that I live in a dusty rural environment on a dirt road and tow more I am more concerned with doing a severe service interval. Probably should do an oil analysis checking for oil quality and silicon to know for sure. I get the Delo on sale at Costo for what amounts to $10/gal, so the present 5,000 mile interval isn't breaking the bank and it jives with my tire rotation/lube schedule.

When I was younger I was a big advocate of 2-3,000 mile oil changes, but oil capability has improved so much over the years along with the advances in gas engines and unleaded gas that those intervals are a waste of money. The gas engined road vehicles get Mobil 1...again, from Costco.

Oh no, anything but "double cross" Mobil1!! LOL
I ran it in the Corvette, most likely it's decent oil.

To those Ford owners doing dealership oil changes.....my Ford dealer (now ex-dealer) was not aware of Fords recommendation to run 5W-40 synthetic for towing service. They wanted to put Motorcraft 10-30 in it. Didn't even have a 5W-40 synthetic in stock. A WalMart trip to get Rotella T6 5W-40 and I was good to go.
I'm running Rotella T5 15W-40 Syn Blend in the Ram. They want 15-40 unless it's in severe cold temps. I did a quick oil change with 3,500 miles on it before the Indy 500 trip. I'm up to 11,500 now and the oil life is showing 46%. Fuel filter are showing 20% so I'm getting close to fuel filter and oil changes. Fortunately my Ram dealer only charges $10 labor for oil changes.

Y'all are making me have flashbacks from work with all this oil analysis talk. I had four 1200HP recip compressors, 2 smaller ones, and 14,000 RPM centrifugal hydrogen compressor to "digest" lube oil anaylsis' on.
Sorta kinda miss it a little.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Desert185

I have thought of extended intervals and did them in the past with a previous Cummins. Now that I live in a dusty rural environment on a dirt road and tow more I am more concerned with doing a severe service interval. Probably should do an oil analysis checking for oil quality and silicon to know for sure. I get the Delo on sale at Costo for what amounts to $10/gal, so the present 5,000 mile interval isn't breaking the bank and it jives with my tire rotation/lube schedule.

When I was younger I was a big advocate of 2-3,000 mile oil changes, but oil capability has improved so much over the years along with the advances in gas engines and unleaded gas that those intervals are a waste of money. The gas engined road vehicles get Mobil 1...again, from Costco.

Delo is good oil. I wouldn't hesitate to run Delo, Delvac, Rotella, or Mystik. I've checked out the Delo at Costco, but still have 10 gallons of Mystik that I picked up from a trucker who was retiring. I bought 25 gallons for $7 each. Once that is gone, I'll probably be switching to the Delo...so in about 40k miles.

[Williston324]

I run Motorcraft 15/40 with no complaints - touch wood! Just picked up another 15 gal while camping south in NY State. Much cheaper there even with the crappy value of our Loonie! Was going to switch to the Rotella T5 which is a synthetic blend but no one near us had enough of the gallon jugs. Will possibly try it on the next change when we're in FL for the winter. Having the infamous 6.0 I should get the oil analyzed but because it's running so well I'm afraid to!!

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Williston324

I run Motorcraft 15/40 with no complaints - touch wood! Just picked up another 15 gal while camping south in NY State. Much cheaper there even with the crappy value of our Loonie! Was going to switch to the Rotella T5 which is a synthetic blend but no one near us had enough of the gallon jugs. Will possibly try it on the next change when we're in FL for the winter. Having the infamous 6.0 I should get the oil analyzed but because it's running so well I'm afraid to!!

Walmart doesn't have T5??? That's gotta be a first.

[Williston324]

Went to three different Walmarts and two were sold out and the third had one gal. I too was surprised!!

[jsmith948]

Similar problem at our local Wally World - no 5w40 T6 Rotella or there would be one gallon jug. Asked the kid in auto dept about stocking more - he said they stock according to sales - okay - I said "if you are always out of this particular product does that not tell you something?" He said "HUh?"
Learned from an assistant manger that was cruising the isles that I can order T6 on line by the case and pick it up at the store.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Similar problem at our local Wally World - no 5w40 T6 Rotella or there would be one gallon jug. Asked the kid in auto dept about stocking more - he said they stock according to sales - okay - I said "if you are always out of this particular product does that not tell you something?" He said "HUh?"
Learned from an assistant manger that was cruising the isles that I can order T6 on line by the case and pick it up at the store.

Stock according to sales.....hmmm, you can't sell what you don't have. What a conundrum.

[rbev2308]

Our local Sams Club carries all the Rotella products up to and including a 55 gal drum. I am fortunate as my next door neighbor works at a tractor trailer garage which stocks it in bulk so I just give her my empty one gal jugs and get it for about $10/gal in bulk. Somewhere I seen someone say the local dealer charged $10 labor. I wish that were the case here...Our local Ford charges $129 for oil change so I equate that to about 50-60% in labor. Heck they wanted $209 to change the two fuel filters which costs $55 on Amazon and took about 20 mins to change...

[Desert185]

They're in business to make money, but not all of it on an oil change. DIY is such a simple process, especially with the ground clearance these 4X4 pickups offer.

...and thanks for your service, Master Chief.

[rhagfo]

Thought I would revive this OLD thread I saw while searching for something else. I revived for our members new to owing a diesel powered TV. It is normal for you oil to look black soon after a change. That and black color is NOT an indication the oil needs to be changed.
I ran 10,000 mile/ one year oil changes on our 2001 Ram CTD. Had it analyzed to be sure it was still doing the job.

Currently as the 2016 is still under warranty I change a 6 months, no mater the mileage.

[NMRandy]

I had an 03 GMC Duramax that didn't black out the oil until it had over 4k on the oil. I have a friend that has an 03 Duramax that is the same way. I have been around diesels all my life, (dad was a farmer), and this is the only 2 diesels I have ever seen not black the oil right away, and wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. My 2012 Duramax blacks the oil before I get home from the shop.

[travelin texans]

A few years ago I wasn't able to change oil myself & for the 1st time in a lot of years I took it to an oil change shop. The kid came out to me with a oil filter in his hand, not sure if it was from truck or not, but he said "this oil is awfully black" to which I agreed, he said "we recommend our $XX.95 crankcase flush" I said "you sell many to diesel owners" he says " yes, especially when the oil is this black" at that point I proceeded to educate him, not too politely, on how diesels oil will look about 10 miles from their shop & to just change the oil & pull my truck out, I knew he was just doing what he was told.
Our son worked in one of those places during college. He said he was to try to sell any service he could to ALL customers, crankcase flushes, radiator flushes, transmission flushes, changing headlight fluid & sharpening wipers, ...........ok the last 2 were not on their board with prices.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

A few years ago I wasn't able to change oil myself & for the 1st time in a lot of years I took it to an oil change shop. The kid came out to me with a oil filter in his hand, not sure if it was from truck or not, but he said "this oil is awfully black" to which I agreed, he said "we recommend our $XX.95 crankcase flush" I said "you sell many to diesel owners" he says " yes, especially when the oil is this black" at that point I proceeded to educate him, not too politely, on how diesels oil will look about 10 miles from their shop & to just change the oil & pull my truck out, I knew he was just doing what he was told.
Our son worked in one of those places during college. He said he was to try to sell any service he could to ALL customers, crankcase flushes, radiator flushes, transmission flushes, changing headlight fluid & sharpening wipers, ...........ok the last 2 were not on their board with prices.

Danny, exactly why I thought to re-post this old thread, we see more and more ex-gassers moving to diesel engines. I know Ford and GM diesels have shorter change intervals, but Ram is up to 15,000 miles.
The 2001 Ram CTD I had Blackstone Labs run a couple TBN reports to set a good change interval. the oil at 10K was good and it was suggested to go to 12,500 for the next change. I stuck with 10K as that was about what I put on in a year.

[Frank G]

Originally Posted by rbev2308

Our local Sams Club carries all the Rotella products up to and including a 55 gal drum. I am fortunate as my next door neighbor works at a tractor trailer garage which stocks it in bulk so I just give her my empty one gal jugs and get it for about $10/gal in bulk. Somewhere I seen someone say the local dealer charged $10 labor. I wish that were the case here...Our local Ford charges $129 for oil change so I equate that to about 50-60% in labor. Heck they wanted $209 to change the two fuel filters which costs $55 on Amazon and took about 20 mins to change...

Two weeks ago I was in a pinch to get the 2 fuel filters replaced on our 2016 Ram CTD, so I pulled into the quick line at the local Ram dealer in Dade City FL and 45 minutes left with the filters changed and a $370.22 bill never again! Cost of Mopar/Cummins filters on Amazon or Geno's Garage, $100.00

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Frank G

Two weeks ago I was in a pinch to get the 2 fuel filters replaced on our 2016 Ram CTD, so I pulled into the quick line at the local Ram dealer in Dade City FL and 45 minutes left with the filters changed and a $370.22 bill never again! Cost of Mopar/Cummins filters on Amazon or Geno's Garage, $100.00

I always order the next set of filters when I install the ones I have. Always have spare fuel filters.
It was $370.22 just for the filters and maybe 30 minutes of labor. This is where stealerships get a bad reputation!

[rhagfo]

This is how life has changed in the last 50 to 60 years. I can remember when a Chiltons repair manual gave complete engine rebuild directions. Nowadays they hardly tell you how to change a spark plug on a gas engine.
Dealers take advantage of this dumbing of the American vehicle owner.

[gearhead]

My Ram dealer has the $10 labor oil change. I get the Rotella T6 15/40 at WalMart and the filter at Amazon. For $10 I'll let them roll under it. I did have a strange happening at an oil change awhile back. I got home and found an oil jug with about a quart of oil in it on the back floorboard. I poured it in the engine. Next trip to the dealer I asked the lube foreman why they did that. He said a fair number of folks get very upset if they see oil even 1/16" over the full mark on the dipstick. I told him I get upset when Ram specs call for 12 quarts and you only used 11. Gotta watch them.