FYI Relatively clean oil after 5000 miles?

[Joe Hogan]

Interesting I checked the engine oil to day before two month trip. Can still read the hatch marks through the engine oil after approximately 5000 miles. The engine is a 450 hp diesel Cummins.
Granted the engine only has 15k on it, but my experience with diesels I was expecting black nasty stuff. Something to these “clean” Diesels

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Yes. And as my buddy boldly told me…
GET YOUR OIL TESTED BEFORE CHANGING IT!

He ran a fleet of trucks and saved a ton of money with a simple $50 AMSOIL sample each year rather than just dumping it for no reason other than the “recommendation”.

I want to start doing that too.

 

[Joe Hogan]

It is on my list to do at Spartan this fall. Got two sample cups from Blackstone Labs. One for the new oil and one for oil to be drained. The new oil test gives a nice base line for future testing.

 

[team bradfield]

I just change mine annually, why worry about it? 1/2 million dollar rig and skimping on an oil change , really?

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I just change mine annually, why worry about it? 1/2 million dollar rig and skimping on an oil change , really?

Why spend TIME and money if it isn’t needed? I burn 1/2 a day just to get the oil changed: getting it out of storage, driving 40 minutes, waiting, oil changed, drive back and then putting it away.

Simple 5 minute oil extraction and then drop off while on next trip to town saves me hours of time + the $ savings + not unnecessarily risking damage/cleaning to rig = less aggravation.

 

[Joe Hogan]

In my opinion dropping 20-24 qrts of serviceable oil seems a bit wasteful. However our usage works out to following an annual maintenance schedule.. We drive about 5k-8k a year.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

In my opinion dropping 20-24 qrts of serviceable oil seems a bit wasteful. However our usage works out to following an annual maintenance schedule.. We drive about 5k-8k a year.

Agree on the wastefulness. Our engine takes 13+ GALLONS each change.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I just change mine annually, why worry about it? 1/2 million dollar rig and skimping on an oil change , really?

Ok...so here's my POV.

I hadn't...until I realized how what a waste of money it is...million dollar rig or not. Fact is, driving halfway across the country for an "annual service", puts 6,000 miles on my rig...and that's just 6k extra miles alone. And, when the professionals say you're being dumb to have your oil changed when it's STILL GOOD, for no reason...I take pause.

The OIL ALONE, was $650 with another several hundred in labor...don't forget the hundred or so to replace the clean oil filter.

And, to make it a bit more painful, let's throw in the $1,000 for ATF on transmission that only had 15,000 miles since the LAST change...ludicrous! But, it was "called out" on the 10yr service and they hadn't considered the mileage since the last change.

So, between these two unneeded services, that's over $2,000 wasted, not including the fuel for the 6,000 mile roadtrip...which obviously has other "good to do" things. But, point being...I don't think I know of any friends with a lot bigger wallet that would like to flush $2,000 down the drain if it's proven to be unnecessary.

My philosophy on this is NOT like tires which continue to be controversial as to "when to change" them on an RV. I'll choose to put $8,000 into having the safety and peace of mind with tires that are less than 5 years old, despite trucking shops saying I'm wasting money because Michelins are good for 10 years. But, with OIL...it can be 100% proven with science through a $50 mail-in sample. So, I'm game if...for nothing else...to not "retie my shoes if they're already tied".

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is what you learn about the oil in a typical report. Trend is very important as each engine has a "personality" that generate wear metals. General amount of contaminants, additive package remaining and ability for oil to lubricate (viscosity) is also very important.