Archived 'Making' oil on cross country trip

[Wygate]

Changed oil at the start of the trip at the dealership. Oil level on stick was good, 2000 miles later, oil level is at the top of the plastic indicator on the dipstick... . towing 19,000 combined weight, no extended idleing. Do I need to drain some, or get it changed again?

 

[AH64ID]

I would change it again, if it's truly making oil then it's fuel and you don't want to mess with it.

 

[ata]

Don't change it or drain any out. Take it back to the DEALER (or a dealer) and get it DOCUMENTED and checked for fuel in the oil. That way if something goes wrong later internally you have proof of oil dilution if that it what it is.

 

[AH64ID]

Good luck getting the dealership to do an oil sample.

 

[Wygate]

Good luck getting them to do anything but sell, been down this road once before, hope it is just a oil monkey oversight, bought oil and filter tonight. Will see what tomorrow brings.
AH64ID
I am very well aware of the f/o dilution potential and Cummins 5% policy, please dear god let it be a fluke!!

 

[Wygate]

Must be that Bob and Sag are on a very short list of true dealership wrench men, as all my dealing w/ dealership's all over the US have been met w/ disappointment, and before anyone says it I always try my best to treat others as I want to be treated even when I was being bent over the "service counter".

 

[Bob4x4]

Make sure the level is checked after sitting about 30 minutes. It took a while to get our oil guys to stop overfilling 6. 7's

 

[AH64ID]

AH64ID
I am very well aware of the f/o dilution potential and Cummins 5% policy, please dear god let it be a fluke!!

It probably is a fluke, but without a OAI it's easier just to dump, fill and monitor.

 

[Sticks]

Using an el-cheapo fast food restaurant napkin, let a drop of the oil from the dipstick land on it. If there's fuel in it, it will spread out through the napkin faster than the oil, and will separate from it in kind of a "halo" effect. Quick and dirty way to check for fuel in the oil.

 

[Wygate]

Had the oil changed at Iverson dealership in Mitchell, SD. Incredibly helpful, close to I-90. A real Ram dealership, more trucks on the lot than most dealerships I've seen besides Dave Smith Motors.

 

[EDankievitch]

You're the 3 one to have this happen to them. My 12 had two bad injectors replaced under warranty. A guy I work with had 3 bad injectors. Now your truck. I can say that all has been good with my truck since the injectors were done. I would take a sample to show the service manager change the lube and get it into the shop as soon as you can.

 

[Wygate]

You're the 3 one to have this happen to them. My 12 had two bad injectors replaced under warranty. A guy I work with had 3 bad injectors. Now your truck. I can say that all has been good with my truck since the injectors were done. I would take a sample to show the service manager change the lube and get it into the shop as soon as you can.

I didn't get a sample, didn't really think it was necessary being this new, still have about 750 to new home, then back to OR coast and back again to MI. Guess I will try to get it in next Monday, any advice on how to get them to check the injectors?

 

[JJPage]

Using an el-cheapo fast food restaurant napkin, let a drop of the oil from the dipstick land on it. If there's fuel in it, it will spread out through the napkin faster than the oil, and will separate from it in kind of a "halo" effect. Quick and dirty way to check for fuel in the oil.

I agree with Sticks on this, even though it's too late for the old oil, I would definitely be checking using this method until you get (home... ). If making oil, depending on where the injector(s) is leaking, you could melt a piston.

Hindsight is always more fruitful, but why didn't the Dealer in Mitchell pull the valve cover and observe any injectors that may be misting while running?

 

[Wygate]

I agree with Sticks on this, even though it's too late for the old oil, I would definitely be checking using this method until you get (home... ). If making oil, depending on where the injector(s) is leaking, you could melt a piston.

Hindsight is always more fruitful, but why didn't the Dealer in Mitchell pull the valve cover and observe any injectors that may be misting while running?

They were very busy and did some jockeying to just get me in to change, I was thinking regen or over fill not breakage so I didn't push it.

 

[Wygate]

Will scan tool see injector leak, or does it need to be seen manually?

 

[JJPage]

They were very busy and did some jockeying to just get me in to change, I was thinking regen or over fill not breakage so I didn't push it.

Gotcha, I can understand that.

Will scan tool see injector leak, or does it need to be seen manually?

I'm pretty sure an injector contribution test may point out a weak/bad injector on a 6. 7. Now that you know where your oil level is, and if you continue to "make" oil, and you can see fuel dilution by way of the napkin test, you will know a injector(s) is malfunctioning. Could be a cracked body or tip, or a solenoid hanging open which could be catastrophic.

Keep a close watch on your oil, I would be reluctant trying to make it home IF fuel is getting in the oil. I hope the first dealer just overfilled your crankcase, and all turns out well for you Wygate, nothing puts a damper on vacation like vehicle problems.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Quit screwing around and do an oil sample. Call Blackstone and have them ship a sample bottle to you.



Mine and my Dad's both tested at less than 0. 5% fuel dilution.



Even draining the oil overnight you will be over full with 12 quarts. When changing add 11. 5 quarts and see where you after sitting all night.

 

[Sticks]

We're not just talking about you oil level getting high, even though Diesel is technically an oil, a lubricant it does not make. You could destroy that engine in short order.

Cylinder wash which will score the cylinder walls and pistons
Ruin both the rod and main bearings which in turn will cause serious damage to your crank.
Cam and tappet damage
Turbo... The list goes on and on.

Look at all the engines that Ford ruined when they came out with the 6. 0 and their run of bad injectors.

 

[Jim W]

Hey guys he is not on vacation he is moving his household back from the west coast to MI. Wygate retired from the coast Guard (if I remember correctly two months ago).



I would watch the engine oil as you drive the last 750 miles to MI. Checking once a day to see if the oil level increase but I would let the engine sit for 30 min's before checking to insure all of the oil is in the pan.



I know I had this issue twice with my 08 when the dealer would change the oil. The local dealer was a Chrysler dealer who replaced the Dodge dealer who was closed. They used a lube rack and the kid running this rack was use to cars and gas trucks not diesels. He over filled twice and the dealer would not lube the front shaft either said there was no grease zerk to lube.

Since then I have done my own never over filled at all.



Wygate let us know the outcome when you get to MI.



Thanks



Jim W,

 

[Wygate]

Thank you Jim
Checked this morn after resting for the night, looks like a quart high, same as yesterday after the change... my guess is in the rush to help they and myself didn't do or push the 30min... as I drove over 500 after the change and the level seems steady I can get my hart out of my throat now.
Did a comparison on the napkin, old and new, seems to be about the same, color diff makes it a bit hard tell.
I have done more Vis. Gauge tests (falling ball for viscosity/F/O dilution)
than i can count... nice when you have all the tools handy
I went from just an oversight on a change to the end of the world ... .
Got an appointment Monday to verify
Hope to be in MI tonight, will update