Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Checking Oil

[Nate]

Ok...



I realize this is a simple question, but don't laugh at me cause I am a bit confused.



To get the correct oil level indicated on the dipstick, when do you check the oil.



I remember someone saying fire it up and wait a few mins to check it?... does that sound right?



So let's say I check the oil when I fill up on fuel. Pour in my waste oil, start the pump and fill it up. . Is checking the oil then going to be accurate?



From the low to good reading... is it 1 quart?



To be honest... I don't think I've checked the oil between oil changes more than 2 or 3 times total since I've owned the truck.

 

[Allnew2Me]

I always check mine when it is cold and sitting for a while to see what the max level is. If I check it after just shutting it down it will be a bit lower than cold but not much. I don't really burn much so I can't say what the span of the cross-hatched area is on the Mighty Cummins Turbo Diesel, but on other vehicles I have found that the area is roughly 1 quart from low ti high

 

[KWilkinson]

The Cummins does take a while to completely drain oil back to the pan, so the best, and most accurate, time to check it is when it's been sitting for a while. However, you can check oil during fillups, just remember it will show a little low, usually 1-2 quarts can hang around the top of the motor.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yes, it seems the oil in a Cummins takes awhile to trickle back in the pan after shutdown. Whenever I check the oil, it's after it's sat all night or all day without being started up.



When your dipstick gets down to the ADD, it's 2 quarts low. I don't like to let mine get more than 1 quart low.



Vaughn

 

[WyattEarp]

i found out it also depends on where you park it, i have had some issues, i can fill it up with 12qts exactly and check the next day and the thing read low, why i have no flippin idea unless the gremlins are starting my truck over night and i don't know about it.

 

[BTowler]

Also depends on type of oil, most synthetics will cling longer so you should always check first thing in the morning when the engine is cold.

 

[COWBOYDUALLY]

???????

Not to **** ya off bud but is your truck sitting level????

 

[WyattEarp]

i guess that was for me lol, yeah the truck was level not sure why but it seems to differ, i did notice that the engine in the 92 sits different in the engine bay then in the 2000 that might account for some of it, maybe im right maybe im wrong... But either way i wouldn't trade the 12V for anything, just put a set of the cheap air horns on her also, now i have horns lol. . they might have been the plastic ones but at 135db(i think thats what they rate at) they are just what i need, dang deer lol... Cowboy its hard up here to find flat ground lol so we have to adjust for the rolls lol. .