Setting Maintenance Baseline on New (to me) Truck

[Silver Tex]

2018 3500 that I bought with 53,XXX miles on it (from a dealer). I’m starting my log and I’m thinking I want to set a maintenance baseline and am looking for some input. Specifically or particularly on those fluids the truck is not monitoring. For context, I’ll probably put 2000 - 3000 miles on this truck the balance of the year, with one heavy (12k) pull up into the mountains.

Trans/transfer case I thought I would do at the 60K interval.
Front rear differentials - over the next couple of months.

What the thought on doing oil/filter and fuel filter when its tells me its ready? Both are currently at +75% remaining life.
What’s the thought on changing out the crankcase ventilation filter when it says it’s ready or early? I have read where some have done them early and found them to be pretty saturated.

I’m thinking I’ll do a coolant flush as well. Truck ran 208* - 212* @ 80-mph back from the west coast in 105* temps. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, I just thought the coolant bottle looked a little in need of a flush.

That’s my thoughts, what am I missing, what am I overthinking?

Oh, just curious and haven’t checked them, but how long do the ball joints last on these 4th Gen’s? I think my ‘06 needed them at about 70K. I also have the welded drag link “thing”, is there something better or is this alright? Truck drives fine at this point…

Thanks all!
Scott.

 

[AH64ID]

My 0.02, all standard fluids and filters now. You don’t know if they did the maintenance or planned to trade/sell and just reset the reminders.

You’re overthinking the coolant, that’s how these 6.7’s run.

Thanks to a 6K rated axle the ball joints last much longer than 3rd gens.

You can get the OEM 19+ drag link and get adjustability back. I’d wait until you need an alignment.

 

[Ozymandias]

Engine oil every year, no matter how many miles you put on.

 

[Silver Tex]

Copy that, thanks gents!

 

[sag2]

Here is what I would do. Since you don't know the history change all fluids now. The diff's should be on their second change, more than likely never done. Front hardly ever moves so not as important as rear. I change the front every other time on my 18. Transfer case is not a big deal, but it's a couple quarts of fluid and 10 minutes so just change it. Change the engine oil and filter now to anything you want (perhaps read issue 116, 117) and reset filter minder. Transmission you might look at the fluid or have it tested. Or just change it. Change both fuel filters ASAP. You just don't know, and those are the two most important filters in your truck. Then change at least every 15k and save the receipts. I would change the coolant at 5 years, even though it says it's 10 year. Then follow owner's manual or slightly sooner for all other maintenance.
For a few hundred you will have a great starting point. Fluid and filters are just too cheap to not change them now.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Dad's new to him 14 3500 SRW AISIN got the COMPLETE top to bottom fluid/filter change. Now he knows when to do his next service.

 

[Silver Tex]

Thanks All!

What are you all using for motor oil? John, I’m supposing you’re full on Amsoil

I’m thinking I’ll go with Valvoline Blue Premium - 15w 40. It’s conventional, but seems pretty available and is Cummins approved. I tried to run Rotella T-6 in my ‘06, but that got pretty hard to find the past couple of years here in Colorado. I’d like to find one and stick with it. I have never run 5w 40 in a diesel and that seems like an option as well. Perhaps this is a newer option or I just never paid close enough attention to the Owner’s manual??

I read a long dissertation on diesel oil testing last night and was surprised once the analyst got past the top 3, which were synthetic, the balance were conventional oils. He tested for Load carrying capacity/film strength, as well as onset of thermal breakdown. All oils were tested at 230*. The gist of the testing was for wear protection and the for/against impacts of Zinc levels present in each of the oils. Maybe only moderately relevant to this discussion and was interesting nonetheless.

I have also read this is what Cummins ships with.

Thanks and all OEM filters are on order!
Scott.

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks All!

What are you all using for motor oil? John, I’m supposing you’re full on Amsoil

Good guess

The ‘18 gets the signature series because Amsoil guarantees it for 12 month service intervals, so I change it at 15K miles or 12 months. It has the DME 15w-40.

I’m not going to run the signature series into the ‘22 because the OEM interval allows for 12 months. I have a shell full of ADO 5w-40 ready to go.

I run all OEM filters except the oil filter, where I use a Donaldson DBL7349. It has much better specs then the OEM oil filter.

 

[sag2]

Thanks All!

What are you all using for motor oil? John, I’m supposing you’re full on Amsoil

I’m thinking I’ll go with Valvoline Blue Premium - 15w 40. It’s conventional, but seems pretty available and is Cummins approved. I tried to run Rotella T-6 in my ‘06, but that got pretty hard to find the past couple of years here in Colorado. I’d like to find one and stick with it. I have never run 5w 40 in a diesel and that seems like an option as well. Perhaps this is a newer option or I just never paid close enough attention to the Owner’s manual??

I read a long dissertation on diesel oil testing last night and was surprised once the analyst got past the top 3, which were synthetic, the balance were conventional oils. He tested for Load carrying capacity/film strength, as well as onset of thermal breakdown. All oils were tested at 230*. The gist of the testing was for wear protection and the for/against impacts of Zinc levels present in each of the oils. Maybe only moderately relevant to this discussion and was interesting nonetheless.

I have also read this is what Cummins ships with.

Thanks and all OEM filters are on order!
Scott.

Actually if you are going non synthetic 15w-40 the Wal Mart oil is available everywhere and has very good additive package. Great value too.

 

[endoscott]

Nobody mentioned brake fluid flush. What are you guys recommending for that? I did it at 5 years and feel like I should do it soon again. Truck sits outside.

 

[AH64ID]

Nobody mentioned brake fluid flush. What are you guys recommending for that? I did it at 5 years and feel like I should do it soon again. Truck sits outside.

I try to do that every 36 months.

 

[endoscott]

Thanks, that will be just about right for me. Not very expensive anyway, so it seems like a decent idea, not sure why I don't see it mentioned in the owners manual. For sure brake fluid is slowly absorbing H2O over time, no getting around that.

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks, that will be just about right for me. Not very expensive anyway, so it seems like a decent idea, not sure why I don't see it mentioned in the owners manual. For sure brake fluid is slowly absorbing H2O over time, no getting around that.

Most owners manuals don't include it. The recommended interval was 24 months on my VW.

 

[Silver Tex]

Actually if you are going non synthetic 15w-40 the Wal Mart oil is available everywhere and has very good additive package. Great value too.

Really? The SuperTech stuff? If so, I wouldn’t have went there. That’s good to know.

Not wanting to put words in anyones mouth…does the general consensus remain synthetic? I don’t mean to sound like I am agonizing over this decision cause I’m not, just taking in whatever info I can get on the 6.7. It’s probably about as armor plated at the 5.9 is (IMO) when cared for - right?

 

[kthaxton]

I am currently using Super Tech 15-40 from Walmart since the T6 is so hard to come by....my truck has yet to explode, nor has my pressure changed!

 

[AH64ID]

nor has my pressure changed!

Stock gauge?

 

[kthaxton]

Lol.....I know about the gauges.

 

[Topzide]

I've had TSC Travelers 15-40 in mine since November. No changes in anything. Will probably keep with it. $55 for 5 gal when on special is hard to pass with truck and 2 compact diesel tractors to keep fed!

 

[sag2]

Read issue 116 pages 28-34 for the oil comparison. They didn't do Tractor Supply, but my guess is that if it meets the CJ or CK specification it is more than good enough for your 6.7. If you want to be sure send in a new sample and see how it compares to the others.

 

[NIsaacs]

I've had TSC Travelers 15-40 in mine since November. No changes in anything. Will probably keep with it. $55 for 5 gal when on special is hard to pass with truck and 2 compact diesel tractors to keep fed!

I use a lot of their oil, made by Warren I think, same for Super Tech.