Oil Change Anomoly

[akbob]

Before changing the oil on my 6.7 (first change on a 2018, no mods) I did errands and brought the engine up to operating temps, came home and dropped the plug immediately after parking and let the oil drain for a few hours while I worked on another project. Came back, dropped the filter, primed the new one and put the rest of the 3 gal. of oil in engine. Fired her up and let it run for a couple of minutes, then shut it down. Waited about twenty minutes while I cleaned up and then checked the dipstick and it showed in the safe zone. Went out and picked up the wife later about a ten mile round trip and then parked it in the same spot for the night.

Got up this morn and before I fired her up I checked the oil level, just to be sure and it read about 2 quarts over!? Thought, this is strange and checked it three more times cleaning the stick every time and got the same reading (yes, OCD). So, I drained some oil (quart and a half) until it read just below the top of the safe line. Fired her up, drove about thirty miles on a job today and went home to grab a bite. After about an hour I checked it again and it's reading over about a quart again!

I don't want to drain more, but not sure what's going on. Any Ideas?

 

[EDankievitch]

That's really strange. I'd check for fuel dilution

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes. Fuel dilution, can you smell fuel on the stick?
There’s a opposite deal with the Hemi Durango’s. The oil hides in the engine somewhere, and depending, it’ll show low on the stick, you’ll add a quart, and check a day later and it’ll be way over.
The point is, that engine calls for 7 quarts, and that’s what it gets. Then I close the hood. Period.
Same with the ram, 3 jugs and done.
HOWEVER if it keeps “making oil” it’s most defenitly fuel dilution, and has to be resolved.

 

[Jared Herzog]

You are not making oil. If the truck was it would not make that much that fast. I NEVER change the oil unless it sits overnight. Yes, i change it cold. These Cummins will drip for a week if you ever pull the pan. It takes forever for all the oil to make its way to the pan and a ten minute wait is about 12 hours too soon. Let it sit overnight pull the plug and dump it. Then add three gallons and a new filter and it will be fine.

 

[akbob]

That's really strange. I'd check for fuel dilution

Yes. Fuel dilution, can you smell fuel on the stick?
There’s a opposite deal with the Hemi Durango’s. The oil hides in the engine somewhere, and depending, it’ll show low on the stick, you’ll add a quart, and check a day later and it’ll be way over.
The point is, that engine calls for 7 quarts, and that’s what it gets. Then I close the hood. Period.
Same with the ram, 3 jugs and done.
HOWEVER if it keeps “making oil” it’s most defenitly fuel dilution, and has to be resolved.

So, I just went to sniff the oil and noticed the level is at where it was after I dumped a quart and a half, how is this even possible? Is it being siphoned up into the filter after sitting and I just over filled the first time? Why wouldn't it have showed the very first check? No diesel smell by the way.

 

[Cummins2014]

Yes. Fuel dilution, can you smell fuel on the stick?
There’s a opposite deal with the Hemi Durango’s. The oil hides in the engine somewhere, and depending, it’ll show low on the stick, you’ll add a quart, and check a day later and it’ll be way over.
The point is, that engine calls for 7 quarts, and that’s what it gets. Then I close the hood. Period.
Same with the ram, 3 jugs and done.
HOWEVER if it keeps “making oil” it’s most defenitly fuel dilution, and has to be resolved.

This is his first oil change, I guess my question to the OP is , how much did you drain out, if it’s fuel dilution and making that kind of oil then you drained a **** load of oil out of there , it just didn't mysteriously start making oil. So IMO I’m guessing more on the side of an inaccurate dip stick, hard to believe you can make 2 quarts in 10 miles.

We all put back in 12 quarts , with the exception of one member here, won’t mention names , he’s getting a little sensitive , but he’s convinced 12 quarts is too much he puts in 11*5/8

 

[akbob]

This is his first oil change, I guess my question to the OP is , how much did you drain out, if it’s fuel dilution and making that kind of oil then you drained a **** load of oil out of there , it just didn't mysteriously start making oil. So IMO I’m guessing more on the side of an inaccurate dip stick, hard to believe you can make 2 quarts in 10 miles.

We all put back in 12 quarts , with the exception of one member here, won’t mention names , he’s getting a little sensitive , but he’s convinced 12 quarts is too much he puts in 11*5/8

I let it drain for 3 to 4 hrs, it's was done with the engine hot and I did not notice it dripping anymore when I had installed the plug. I had read that it was 3 gals too, right now I am short 1 1/2 quarts because I drained it. I'm think maybe when I checked it the first time that maybe I had a brain fart and didn't push the stick in all the way, maybe? That's why it read as being over in the morning? So that means I have an inaccurate dip stick I guess. Now the question is if I should put the oil back in that I drained?

 

[akbob]

I'm going to go pull that stick and see if there is any play in it, doesn't make sense to me that i'm getting different readings.

 

[Cummins2014]

You are not making oil. If the truck was it would not make that much that fast. I NEVER change the oil unless it sits overnight. Yes, i change it cold. These Cummins will drip for a week if you ever pull the pan. It takes forever for all the oil to make its way to the pan and a ten minute wait is about 12 hours too soon. Let it sit overnight pull the plug and dump it. Then add three gallons and a new filter and it will be fine.

Although I drain mine hot,! I have drained it for an hour or so and overnight and after seven oil changes , doing it both ways I can’t see any difference in the level on the dipstick, he mentioned a few hours allowing it to drain. It’s not going to drain an additional 2 quarts out in another few hours , at least with my experience.

 

[Cummins2014]

I let it drain for 3 to 4 hrs, it's was done with the engine hot and I did not notice it dripping anymore when I had installed the plug. I had read that it was 3 gals too, right now I am short 1 1/2 quarts because I drained it. I'm think maybe when I checked it the first time that maybe I had a brain fart and didn't push the stick in all the way, maybe? That's why it read as being over in the morning? So that means I have an inaccurate dip stick I guess. Now the question is if I should put the oil back in that I drained?

I’m leaning towards the brain fart sounds like it was drained properly , I would put back in the oil you drained out , and establish a level on the dipstick, and go with that as full . You put in 12 quarts , there is no way you are 2 quarts over full, even if there was some left in there. I would not worry.
Your next oil change , pay a little more attention or let it drain overnight , and see where 12 quarts puts you on the dipstick and go with that . For now I still think you are okay adding back in that quart and half

 

[Wiredawg]

Funny how we all have different methods: I get my oil hot, open the valve, and let it drain all night. Never a problem. And I add a full 12 quarts. Now I do use a drain valve, so some would say I never completely drain all the oil, but that is another lively discussion. Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins2014]

Funny how we all have different methods: I get my oil hot, open the valve, and let it drain all night. Never a problem. And I add a full 12 quarts. Now I do use a drain valve, so some would say I never completely drain all the oil, but that is another lively discussion. Cheers, Ron

Yes ,and no on the lively, but heres the fact on "MY" Fumoto, I get 20 oz. more after I let it drain thru the Fumoto, then pull the Fumoto. If thats okay leaving in the amount, no problem . I don't want to , so using the Fumoto is convenient to drain, and pulling it is no different then if I was pulling the original plug. Nothing lively, just a fact of whats happening with my truck.

 

[S.Morris]

Not a 6.7 but this....
No my 04 5.9 I drain oil hot but leave it drain overnight.
Reason.... if I change filter after pan has quit dripping(say 20min ) the filter is full and very difficult to not make a mess getting it off although if you are very careful it can be done. BUT if you pull filter after sitting overnight, the filter is only 1/2full and easy peas no mess and not hot.
Have done it this way many years after finding this out...

 

[S.Morris]

Pls excuse the text spelling. Lol

 

[Cummins2014]

Pls excuse the text spelling. Lol

No problem with me , but you will probably get called out by a certain member.

 

[Wayne M.]

My method is the same for almost all vehicles, but I’ve been doing it like this on my Rams since ‘97.
Come home from work, or a short trip (oil is near op temp). Pop the hood, go in the house for a half hour to say hi, etc.come out and drop the oil, inspect and grease the chassis, then drop the filter (most times there won’t be more than a bribble) and button ‘er up.
My theory is that the warm oil will siphon back through the pump/ pick up tube/ filter until there is an air break. At which time, the filter will be about 3/4 full.
I believe this happens when you let it sit overnight, but I’m a big believer in impurities coming out better with warm oil.
Put your 3 jugs in and call it a job. Mine is ALWAYS on the F/E in SAFE. Sure as the tide.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

So I guess all of the dealerships that do oil changes on Cummins Diesels in an hour or 2 are doing it wrong.
Just drain it hot and add 12 quarts of oil. Period! Its not Rocket Science folks.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So I guess all of the dealerships that do oil changes on Cummins Diesels in an hour or 2 are doing it wrong.
Just drain it hot and add 12 quarts of oil. Period! Its not Rocket Science folks.

I guarantee you after getting oil changed at the Dealer and they add 12 quarts you WILL be overfull.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Funny how we all have different methods: I get my oil hot, open the valve, and let it drain all night. Never a problem. And I add a full 12 quarts. Now I do use a drain valve, so some would say I never completely drain all the oil, but that is another lively discussion. Cheers, Ron

Cheers buddy!

 

[Newsa]

I let it drain for 3 to 4 hrs, it's was done with the engine hot and I did not notice it dripping anymore when I had installed the plug. I had read that it was 3 gals too, right now I am short 1 1/2 quarts because I drained it. I'm think maybe when I checked it the first time that maybe I had a brain fart and didn't push the stick in all the way, maybe? That's why it read as being over in the morning? So that means I have an inaccurate dip stick I guess. Now the question is if I should put the oil back in that I drained?

This is the most likely situation.

The original reading was probably incorrect.

I guarantee you after getting oil changed at the Dealer and they add 12 quarts you WILL be overfull.

True. Every time I put 12 quarts (or the dealer put 12 qts) it shows well over the full mark.

After I installed the bypass filter, 12 ats puts it just above the middle of the safe zone on the dipstick