Oil Volume Increase!

[Brian Lidgard]

Got a 2017 ram 3500 6.7 srw with 70k on it and I changed the oil 3 weeks ago, put in exactly 12 quarts (did not pre-fill the oil filter) and noticed it’s overfilled! A good bit it looks too...the oil goes up past the safe lines as you can see in the pic. And sadly it’s also black already. But is this common? Should I drain some and get it to the middle of the lines? Is this a normal cylinder wash down symptom?

 

[SnoKing]

Pretty normal with 12 quarts added, to be a bit over the full mark. Some put in a little less oil. I do not worry about it. I just do not worry about getting every once out of the jugs when I pour them in with my custom funnel that screws right into the valve cover.

 

[BSeyler]

I just do not worry about getting every once out of the jugs when I pour them in with my custom funnel that screws right into the valve cover.

View attachment 124429

Do you dispose of the funnel so you have to create a new one each time?

 

[dieselshadow]

Do you dispose of the funnel so you have to create a new one each time?

Perhaps several times per day?

 

[HPSimpson]

The oil turning black is totally normal, normally after shutting down the Cummins engine wait at least two minutes before checking the engine oil.

 

[SnoKing]

Do you dispose of the funnel so you have to create a new one each time?

Nope, I have two or three of them! DW is the provider!

 

[gsbrockman]

The oil turning black is totally normal, normally after shutting down the Cummins engine wait at least two minutes before checking the engine oil.

The owner’s manual specifies at least thirty minutes for an accurate check.

@Brian Lidgard

How long did you allow the oil to drain before adding the new oil and filter?

 

[Rob S]

Superior funnels!

 

[Brian Lidgard]

The owner’s manual specifies at least thirty minutes for an accurate check.

@Brian Lidgard

How long did you allow the oil to drain before adding the new oil and filter?

About 45 min to an hour.

 

[Hoefler]

Did you have it at operating temp? Remove the fill plug and filter? While letting it drain? These are must to get a proper drain

 

[gsbrockman]

Did you have it at operating temp? Remove the fill plug and filter? While letting it drain? These are must to get a proper drain

Exactly....the above were going to be my next questions in the event the oil was drained minimally for :30 or so....

 

[Cummins12V98]

Personally I let mine drain overnight on LEVEL ground in my shop. I add 11qts and 24oz and the level is right on the full mark on LEVEL ground with engine cold. The design of the pan simply does not let the last few ounces drain.

 

[Jim W]

My way is too open up the fill cap and than open the drain valve on my engine draining into a 5 gallon catch can. I than go and remove the filter allowing this to drain in a 3 gallon catch can also, sitting under the filter location. I than go in clean up an have lunch, about 35 to forty min's later I go out to the garage and finish up. Lately I have been putting in 2-1/2 gallons into the engine, run the engine for a little while to circulate the oil into the filter and engine passages. I turn the engine off and do other things such as grease what components that can be grease. Dispose of the oil and filter, also clean and wipe out the catch cans put everything away. This takes about 20 to 25 mins to complete, I than recheck the oil level if it is below the safe level, I will add a little from a quart container if required. Usually it is not below the safe level so, the quart has lasted a little while for my needs.

 

[sag2]

It isn't at all unusual, but if it concerns you add 11 instead of 12 on the next oil change. Then check it after sitting overnight and add as necessary to keep in in the safe area. My 18 gets 12 quarts and it seems to say above the top safe line. Since it never uses any oil so far between 15 k changes, I rarely look at it after changing.
To ease your mind, pull the stick and check it while it's running. It will be well below the static level.