Dealer's claim on Engine/Trans oil

[jshumate]

I know this has probably been discussed already, many times over, but I'm about to do my first oil change and am a little confused. The dealer just told me that the engine comes from the factory with Mobil1 5W 40 and the G56 with something called NV3500. Are both of these synth? The dealer said that he doesn't think that they are.

When I checked the dip stick, it looked BLACK and a little watery. With only 2500 miles, it doesn't seem like it should be black.

With the trans, I'm going to put either Amsoil or Red Line.

I appreciate any help or opinions.

 

[JApol]

With these engines it takes about 500 miles on a brand new engine to turn the oil black as night.

The only way to clean the black(soot) out of the oil is to use a bypass oil filter system. 2 of the most discussed here is the Frantz and the Spinner II.



You say that the oil is a littler watery. Does it have a diesel smell?

 

[jshumate]

JApol, I really didn't get my nose too close to the dip stick as I was too busy trying to keep that long floppy thing off of my shirt. As far as the watery feel, it may just be the 5W oil.

I always used 15W 30 in my '97 CTD, so I'm probably just used to that. As far as the black color goes, if that's true then its sure different than my old 12V. I'll check out those filters you mentioned.

Thanks,
John

 

[DPKetchum]

NV3500 is a transmission. Not a oil. G56 Trans comes with Mppar ATF+4. The engines were coming with 15w40 Valoline.

 

[mberry]

The engine is most likely is filled with Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40. I can't tell you what the transmission is filled with, but I think it's ATF+4. I would wait until at least 10K miles before putting synthetic in the engine to allow it to break in sooner. Also, I would stick with the 15W-40. I know it gets hot where you live and 30 weight might be a little light, especially in summer and traffic.



As for the rest of the truck, I would change everything else (except the coolant) out now to Amsoil, RP, Redline, or some other high(er) quality synthetic of your choice. Again, this is just what I would do. It's your truck and your money.

 

[HeberRam]

jsumate, Mopar recommends using 5w-40w starting with the 05' engines and up and therefore you should use that type of oil. If after approx. 10,000 miles or so, you can switch to a full synth 5-40. As far as the transmission, I know the auto's come from the factory with a full synth ATF-4, but not sure for the manuals.

 

[mberry]

I stand corrected. Thanks HeberRam.

 

[jshumate]

Thanks for the replys - a wide variety of info. The dealer claimed that he had a TB that had just arrived that showed the Mobil1 as the factory oil - even with a picture of the can.

John

 

[jshumate]

I just talked to the head of the service department, who I find creditable and he said that on the diesel trucks, they come from the factory with Mopar oil - 15W40.

He also said that I can have "free" oil and filter changes for the life of the truck if I have the scheduled maintenance done at that dealer.

Now I would probably have some of the sched maintenance done there anyway, like the 30K check, but after that, probably not. He claims that the sched maintenance is a drop in the bucket compared to the ~$100 oil changes I'll otherwise pay for.

I've always done my own oil changes, so its not near that much. What's your opinion?

 

[Hermansdiesel]

Our Cummins motors come from factory with 15W-40 oil. I change my own oil and use the Valvoline Premium Blue oil. It is the only oil on earth the has the Cummins stamp of approval. It even has the Cummins logo right on the bottle and case. It even says on the bottle " Endorsed and recommended by Cummins Inc. " What more do you want???



I buy em by the case and have been using this oil since 1997. I have even used it on my old Ford diesel's.

 

[jshumate]

That's exactly what I used for the last 9 years on my '97 and I never had any trouble with it. I'll probably continue with it... what was I thinkin' !!

 

[rbattelle]

I also use PB, for all the same reasons.



-Ryan

 

[RobertP]

ive been running PB but as of my next change im switching to amsoil

i think ill get some more protection with this.

 

[Hermansdiesel]

ive been running PB but as of my next change im switching to amsoil

i think ill get some more protection with this.

Nothing wrong with running synthetic oils. It costs a little more, but you can go even more miles between changes if you want.

 

[RobertP]

thats the reason im switching. plus id like to know my engine is over protected.

 

[nickleinonen]

i run 0w40 xd-3 synthetic in my engine. as for the nv3500, my factory lube bottles for the nv5600 have printed right on them nv3500, as they both use the same oil, the nv3500 is in more applications, so the oil has that name/model on the bottle

 

[OHale]

ive been running PB but as of my next change im switching to amsoil

i think ill get some more protection with this.

I ran Rotella in my '95 but like the PB for my '04. It is also very cheap on sale at Advance Auto, cheaper than Rotella or Delo.



For the winter I run PB Extreme 5-40w (synthetic), Cummins 'C" on the bottle. I change the oil and filter, dino and syn at 5k miles. The PB Extreme was on sale recently at NAPA for $17 a gallon, not too bad.

 

[Buffalo]

OHALE,



I know changing the oil more frequently than recommended is, certainly, not going to hurt your engine. And the "warm, fuzzy" feeling you get from overdueing maintainance has some value, also.



However, the last two oil changes i've done were at 8300 miles & 7900 miles, using Chevron Delo-400, 15X40. Samples of the used oil were sent to a testing lab just to see what condition the oil was in after that many miles and the results came back that the oil was still in good, useable condition. I'm considering extending the oil drain interval to 9000 miles, the next time, & continue extending it til the test results show deterioration in the oil. Then I'll go back 1000 miles & use that as the oil drain interval.



Cummins engines seem to be easy on oil, unlike some of its competitors (Powerstroke).



I'm not trying to change your mind about 5000 mile oil change intervals. You may just be throwing perfectly good oil out, prematurely. Especially the synthetic!!! $17. 00/gal. synthetic = $51. 00 for just the oil. Then add filter costs. My guess is that you could, easily & safely, double your oil change intervals & save yourself some money & time.



You may want to consider going to a website called "bob is the oil guy.com" & check out their forums relating to medium duty diesel engine oil & used diesel engine oil analysis. There is some great information, there, that may be helpful to you in determining what oil change intervals would be most efficient for you.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Buffalo]

jshumate,



Before entering into an agreement with the dealer about the scheduled maintainance, I would ask them to write down what the costs would be for the services, labor & materials, so you know exactly what each service costs.



You mentioned that you have done oil changes on other vehicles, previously. It may be MUCH cheaper to do these services, yourself.



I've heard of fuel filter changes that cost over $100. 00. the last fuel filter I bought was $13. 31, & I think I overpaid. Geno's sells them for $11. 95 + shipping. Installing the newer filters is easy & should take only a couple of minutes with normal tools.



$100. 00 oil changes seems a bit high, also.



I've also heard of very expensive axle gear oil changes. Keep in mind that around here, DC gets over $21. 00/qt. for their gear oil (Texaco Product, I believe). I was able to purchase RedLine 75X90 for $7. 00/qt. From what I understand, RedLine is a superior product to the DC offering, & 1/3 the cost. Plus, you'll save the labor costs of installing the gear oil. It's an easy job & the gasket is reusable.



Good Luck, in your decision.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Diesel Nut]

I have been told that the new motors are asking for the 5w-40. Odd weight, but no matter. All it means is there will be easier flow when cold. I have been using Amsoil's 5W-30 for 5 years now in my cummins trucks and love it. Also, I have spoken with some of the engineers @ Amsoil about the differences between their 15w-40 and 5w-30. I live in a warm climate and am making a large amount of hp ( well over 600hp) and had concerns about film strength and oil breakdown and I was told due to several reasons, the 5w-30 was the better way to go. It used a different additive package and was designed to be more durable and efficient. So, my advice, do your research and you'll find all the info you could ever want. Its amazing how much you can learn.