8038 miles in June, 4th oil change in 14k

[Wygate]

Well we made it, OR coast to northern MI, twice.

First trip wife, kids, pets and 35' TT, poor mileage to say the least, lucky to see 10 MPG. Had a panic attack, dealer changed oil before we left, driveway not level so no good oil level baseline. Checked one morning after Yellowstone and it was over the plastic bulb. Thought for sure she was making oil. New dealership changed it, all is well nitro pills back in safe place.

Iverson Dodge in Mitchell SD, just off I90 is very help full and also a larger volume pickup dealership, cant say enough good.

Back rolling again, make it to MI, few day of rest then back to OR, saw 20 MPG (empty) feeling better mid teens at speed on interstate

Moving day in OR, no driver?? Packers call, I call... late that afternoon I get a call new truck first thing in the AM, turns out my driver had died in the tractor, holy smokes, no real info just that "they found him dead in his truck"



Run my truck and trailer over scales 23k total w/ 7k on rear axle, got to move stuff around and put some on moving truck, back down to 6300 on rear. Leave OR when the big heat wave was in town, worried about a flat in the heat, mid to high 10's on hwy and high 11's on two lane feeling better, oil change lite, only 5200 of all towing, that makes 4 oil changes in 14k??? Few hours left, beautiful 66 deg along lake Superior!! Pow belt let go on a trailer tire, change it using a ramp and cordless impact, put lug nuts in ball cap, still loose one, make it to new place

No more driving for me for a bit, kids, dog 110 lbs and wife, don't know how Clark did soon many times!!!

 

[Bug Out]

I had the same issue with my 2012. The 2013 is COMPLETELY different. I'm at 4700+- and it shows 63% oil still good... I had to change the oil in my 2012 before the first 5k, then 4k then 3. 5k... I read the engine fuel is used to burn off something in smog systems. it puts unburned fuel in the exhaust system( some seeps by rings to oil) and thats what causes the oil dilution. . I did not explain it right, but theres a write up in the magazine a few ago. I'm going to change the oil at 6K and get it tested. Ill post more later.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Last two changes on my 11 HO almost 7,500 miles. Just depends how you drive them. Fuel dilution at 14k was less than . 05% with TBN good at 4. 7.

 

[JLeake]

My 2011 is very similar to your 2012. I had the first change at 3300, about had a cow, since then 7500 miles each, and still waiting for the next one at 29000 (more than 7500 miles). But, I am making every effort to not drive it less than 30 min drives.

Recently completed a 1900+ mile trip to Utah and back, hand calculated 19. 9 mpg, EVIC display 20. 5mpg from San Jose CA and back unloaded.

 

[Wygate]

Glad too see I am not alone on this
Wouldn't figure the change oil "light" to come on after only 5200 miles of all heavy towing, the first one maybe second definitely not 3rd and fourth one's
I will get her in for a scan and update, so far vin shows no outstanding TSBs or recalls

 

[bigblock_doc]

Well on mine this time got about 1000 miles and oil change message came on. Truck has 87,000. Just changed last Friday.
Sometimes it doesn't come on for many, many miles. I will give it the three pumps and turn off the ign. Should be ok.

 

[AH64ID]

I wonder if there are more oil changes at the begining as the rings are not fully seated and fuel dilution may occur easier than once the motor is broken in?

JLeake, I think you have a typo in your sig. Your trans should be a 68RFE. Until 2013 the only auto trans behind the 6. 7 was the 68RFE.

 

[Wygate]

I wonder if there are more oil changes at the begining as the rings are not fully seated and fuel dilution may occur easier than once the motor is broken in?

JLeake, I think you have a typo in your sig. Your trans should be a 68RFE. Until 2013 the only auto trans behind the 6. 7 was the 68RFE.

I buy the rings not fully seated, but the computer can't see that, as I have understood it is all based on potential of f/o dilution using #s of cycles, temps, pressure... .
thus predicting possible/ potential f/o dilution not actual dilution, I believe that it is a programming issue as my 09 was the same truck minus the new goodies in the 10 and up...
I am in the process of tracking down a Vis gauge so I can see the dilution w/ my own eyes, I have used a vis gauge every four hours on running engs many many times, quick and simple so much so Boatswain mates can do it

 

[SNiebaum]

I wonder if there are more oil changes at the begining as the rings are not fully seated and fuel dilution may occur easier than once the motor is broken in?

there isn't a sensor that monitors oil quality... it's all based on formulas involving such parameters as idle time, load, regens, miles, etc...

 

[AH64ID]

No there isn't a sensor ( don't think I said there was), but it would be pretty easy to adjust the algorithm for the first 20K miles. Just like the 5. 9 OH MPG indications adjusted for the first 20K miles, from accurate to a 17% error for me.

It's all a program, and Ram engineers are going to know there is increased oil dilution the first 20K (or so) miles and likely programmed them oil change light to come on a little sooner at first. It doesn't cost Ram anything, and helps decrease warranty issues.

 

[JLeake]

You are correct, my mistake

 

[Wygate]

AH64ID,
I was with you on the first 20 thing, but now other guys are all over the map? I tend to believe that a says that has been in production for 6+ years would have programming bugs worked out and at the top of there game, hence the 800lbft now?
Guess we will see what the truck gods have instore

 

[EDankievitch]

My 2012 was asking / demanding an oil change around 1200-1500 miles. I was also making oil lots of oil. The dealer found two leaking injectors. I was also going into the re-gen cycle every 45 min. A friend of mine also had the same issue with his truck. I would have the dealer or good diesel shop go over your truck. Seems that there are a few bad injectors or the breaking in of the Cp3 pump is contaminating the system..... I should add that both trucks were under 10,000 miles and never threw a code just made oil.

 

[AHarris]

That was one thing I don't miss about my previous truck is the bi monthly $140 oil changes and the increasing oil level.

 

[Wygate]

Well I am in the mid 16k on the ticker and 3k on the oil and got the change indicator again. This is #5 in less than 17k miles. I will send out a sample myself and see if dealership will also.
She will stumble for about one rotation when just started in the morning, not the same all the time. My speculation is one or two injectors not up to par and they carry the load for a very short cycle at start up.
Gonna leave it w/ dealer this week.
Will continue to update everyone.

Those that had similar issues, any advise as to getting the testing to get verification on the injectors??

Thanks

 

[Bug Out]

Thats what my 2012 got down to. About 3k oil changes..... 2013 1st change at 6500 still had miles to go. Going to let it go to 7500 on 2nd change and see what the oil results are. First said high metal content, probably break in. . Curious what #2 will say. Using rotella syn 5-40