2018 6.7 Cummins 2 quart engine oil overfill

[DonRam240]

I took 2-1/2 gal plus a gallon of my chosen Rotella T6 5W40 to our dealer for an oil change, and got no oil back. Wasn't too concerned until dipstick reading high at home, about the distance of the "normal" range above the top of that range. Seems likely the oil change tech just used all the oil I brought without realizing it was too much. I found a thread with calculation of the pan dimensions and volume that would say two quarts overfill (14 qt) would raise the level only about 3/8". Before catching this the truck made about 200 miles of a trip hauling the truck camper.
Should I be concerned enough to take it back to the dealer (long drive) to have them drain and confirm level in case of future problems that could relate to foaming of the oil, or is this not enough to be worried about and I can just drain and refill the oil minus the extra myself at home? "Parked" for the moment.
Thanks for responses
Don

 

[Tuesdak]

The dealer always overfilled my 2018.

I use a 'vampire' and a oil sample bottle to lower the oil level in my 2018. It doesn't take 3 gal exactly on an oil change depending on how long etc I drain it. I use 3" of 1/8" hose on the end of the 1/4" oil sample tube to get past something in the end of the dipstick tube on my 2018.

I am satisfied, engine hot after sitting 15 min, to have it on the full mark. Down some when cold is OK. The crankcase rises 1 quart from heat of expansion and then the oil filter drains back after time making this an interesting engine to get a consistent reading from.

You can lower the oil level by removing the drain pan bolt on a cold engine and then putting it back in after say a count of 10. You drop the bolt you may be doing an oil change.

You can dump the oil filter a couple times then you replace the oil filter as the gasket is generally done after removal. If you think that's cheaper than possibly dropping the oil pan bolt.

 

[AH64ID]

Min to max on the dipstick is 2 qts.

The best way to remove some oil would be to suck it out the dipstick. If that’s not feasible you could remove and dump the filter contents a couple times.

I’d probably get the level corrected, but it’s doubtful anything has been harmed. I would have it documented with the dealer thou.

 

[bcbender]

making this an interesting engine to get a consistent reading from.

I spent a few months of aggravation chasing oil level on my 04 once,.. checked, it was low.. added and next it was high..... This is how I found out about the oil filter drain back, since then that past 10y, I pull the plug and let it drain, put a new filter and 12q of oil in and roll.... never had any issues since. Always check on a warm engine about 15 min after shutdown.

 

[DonRam240]

Min to max on the dipstick is 2 qts.

The best way to remove some oil would be to suck it out the dipstick. If that’s not feasible you could remove and dump the filter contents a couple times.

I’d probably get the level corrected, but it’s doubtful anything has been harmed. I would have it documented with the dealer thou.

Appreciate the replies. I guess my question is whether the rotating parts are close enough to the correct oil level in the pan, that raising it 3/8 inch causes foaming and could create abnormal wear (if that thread's calculation is correct for the volume of 2 quarts spread across the cross-sectional area of the pan at that level equaling 3/8"). Hoping some of you know the engine well enough to answer that one.

 

[Mark31]

A local had an 05 or 06 that he insisted held 14 quarts. He could not be convinced the dipstick was wrong. I used to tell him that Cummins made him a special one---no one else had a larger oil pan, just HIS. I think there were some bad dipsticks (oil checkers as well as people). He ran it that way for years until he traded it. Didn't appear to hurt it.

 

[Hoefler]

Did you let your engine sit for at least 15 minutes before checking?? You have to let a hot 6.7 engine sit before checking. Best to let it sit 30 minutes or longer to get an accurate reading.

 

[AH64ID]

Did you let your engine sit for at least 15 minutes before checking?? You have to let a hot 6.7 engine sit before checking. Best to let it sit 30 minutes or longer to get an accurate reading.

Exactly. From the owners manual…

When checking oil after operating the engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tempera-ture, then wait for 30 minutes after engine shutdown to check the oil.

General rule of thumb is that oil volume increases 1% per 10°C. So oil checked at 75°F and 140°F will only appear .25qt higher (12% of the normal range on a dipstick) but 75°F to 200°F will appear 25% higher, if it all drains back in the shorter waiting period.

Even thou it says to wait 30 minutes I prefer to wait overnight so my baseline is constant. If I’m sitting in the middle of normal with a room temp engine then it’s good with a 30 minute cooldown.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Level ground let it set overnight. NOW you know how much it's overfilled.

I add 11 and 2/3 quarts after letting mine drain overnight to be right on the full line.

Of course I get criticized for doing so by some.

 

[Jim W]

That's why I stop going to the dealer for my oil changes in 08. I have done all my own oil changes since then. I complained to the dealer service manager that the oil change guys (not the mechanics) were over filling my engine with oil. He stated that the oil change rack was allowed only so many minutes to do an oil and filter change. So, I was always over filled by the dealer. No more.

 

[AH64ID]

I prefer to do all my own maintenance too. I’m going to try and get the dealer to throw in the first oil change with the sale so they get to be the ones to remove the gorilla applied filter, but after that I’ll do it all.

 

[bcbender]

My filter was not an issue to take off for the first oil change.

 

[AH64ID]

My filter was not an issue to take off for the first oil change.

I wonder if the gorilla retired. My 18 was incredibly difficult to remove and I’ve heard other reports of the same, but it has been a while.

 

[DonRam240]

Exactly. From the owners manual…



General rule of thumb is that oil volume increases 1% per 10°C. So oil checked at 75°F and 140°F will only appear .25qt higher (12% of the normal range on a dipstick) but 75°F to 200°F will appear 25% higher, if it all drains back in the shorter waiting period.

Even thou it says to wait 30 minutes I prefer to wait overnight so my baseline is constant. If I’m sitting in the middle of normal with a room temp engine then it’s good with a 30 minute cooldown.

Sitting in shop for more than a week, level floor, so a reliable cold level
Don

 

[Cummins12V98]

I prefer to do all my own maintenance too. I’m going to try and get the dealer to throw in the first oil change with the sale so they get to be the ones to remove the gorilla applied filter, but after that I’ll do it all.

Son's g-friends 20 2500 filter came off without a lot of effort.

 

[Tuesdak]

I prefer to do all my own maintenance too. I’m going to try and get the dealer to throw in the first oil change with the sale so they get to be the ones to remove the gorilla applied filter, but after that I’ll do it all.

Unless they quit doing it the company formally known as FCA sent me a coupon for the first oil change. So the one I had the dealer throw in made two oil changes...

 

[bcbender]

When I bought mine, i was fed the line that Stelantis separated Service from sales and they did not have the ability to offer free service specials, they gave me a gift certificate for use at the dealer. Better off that way, I didnt want them doing it anyway, oil changes dont cost more than about a $100 so easy peasy.

 

[Ozymandias]

Appreciate the replies. I guess my question is whether the rotating parts are close enough to the correct oil level in the pan, that raising it 3/8 inch causes foaming and could create abnormal wear (if that thread's calculation is correct for the volume of 2 quarts spread across the cross-sectional area of the pan at that level equaling 3/8"). Hoping some of you know the engine well enough to answer that one.

Not even close, otherwise you couldn't drive up- or down a hill.

 

[Ozymandias]

3 Gallons with an empty filter, right at the upper level. Perfect.
Hot engine, drained 15 Minutes.

 

[Regcabguy]

3 Gallons with an empty filter, right at the upper level. Perfect.
Hot engine, drained 15 Minutes.

That's all I've done since '06. The shop I use does the same.