engine oil drain time

[relliottjr]

Just a quick question about how long you guys let your engine oil drain and how much oil to refill. I realize that the owners manual says twelve quarts w/ filter. Thank you.

 

[Tim]

Until it's empty and 12 quarts or 3 gallons is about right.

 

[formula]

I let it drain for about as long as it takes me to remove the intake tube to the turbo. Probably about 2 minutes or so. Then I put the drain plug back in and pull the drain pan out front to dump the old filter.



To refill, I get 3 gallons of Rotella-T, use part of one to fill up the filter and dump the rest into the engine



Sean

 

[nickleinonen]

Until it's empty and 12 quarts or 3 gallons is about right.

diddo.....

 

[macdaddy]

I let it drain overnight. When I go out the next day I remove the filter, since it's cool the oil level in the filter is below the sealing surface there by not seeing a drop of oil . Drop the filter into a gallon ziploc bag.

Refill with the oil of choice. I prime the filter with 3/4's of a qt. I end up pouring in the rest of the three gallons plus one, for a total of 13 qts. This brings it to the top of the etched mark of the dip stick. I couldn't get 13 qts in the 99 without over filling it, the 05 seems to hold more oil.



Mac

 

[p-Bar]

I guess this could be another question . When I put 3 gallons in it only shows halfway on the dipstick so do we follow manufacturers spec or the dipstick??



Don

 

[macdaddy]

Go with 13 Qts.

I guess this could be another question . When I put 3 gallons in it only shows halfway on the dipstick so do we follow manufacturers spec or the dipstick??



Don

Go with the 3 gallon plus one qt, been doin it since the first oil change. It'll bring her right to the top of the etched area of the dipper.



Mac

 

[Heavyweight]

Do not go with 3 gallons plus one quart. Mine holds exactly 12 quarts, just like yours!

 

[DPKetchum]

Mine holds 3 gallons spot on.

 

[mberry]

3 Gallons on the spot here as well.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Go by the dipstick (there's gotta be a pun in there somewhere). The "ADD" mark is 1/2 gallon from full. I usually get it close to full, start the engine and then wait while I clean the windows or something. Then re-check it.



I let mine drain while I wash windows, check tire pressure, top off other fluids, vacuum interior, etc. 30mins shoujd be more than enough. I've let mine sit for a hour or more and it still drips. Overnight is probably best, but 30 mins is probably more than what a dealer would let it sit.



'01 took 11-12 qts. '04. 5 takes exactly 3 gallons. FWIW

 

[p-Bar]

Where is it reading on your dipstick???? @ 3 gallons and also @ 3 gallons + 1 qt

 

[john3976]

Only put 12 Qts in or 3 gallons as you are more then likely buying in gallon jugs.



If you get out your owners manual, that is the book in the glove box that nobody ever reads, it will tell you to check the oil by running the engine then shutting it down and waiting 5 minutes before checking the oil on the dip stick, if you do that you will see that 3 gallons is the correct amount of oil for these engines.



Over filling can cause problems, if you over fill it to much the crank shaft can get into the oil and cause it to foam resulting in the loss of one very pricey engine.

 

[LightmanE300]

Mine typically takes 11. 5-11. 8 quarts including the filter to get to the full line or just under it. I think most guys who just dump in 3 full gallons are slightly overfilling it... and then they wonder why their crankcase vent tube stinks so bad after oil changes

 

[jawmail]

Lightman I think you are absolutely correct. Since I bought my truck new, I have filled w/ 12 qts. and have always had bad crankcase odors (no jokes). My last 2 oil changes I have only added 11 qts. and now the smell has completely gone away. My oil level shows right in the middle of the stick.

 

[Grizzly]

Until it's empty and 12 quarts or 3 gallons is about right.

There you go again Tim, I'm telling you.

 

[macdaddy]

Three gallons plus 1 Qt does NOT over fill the 325/610.



Mac

 

[OHale]

It helps to get the engine to operating temperature first. I go for a drive, come home, let the engine idle for the recommended cool down period, shut her down, pull the plug. The oil drains pretty quickly at that point.



It usually stops dripping in under 10 minutes while I get my oil change kit together. Just how I do it.



I also have to use 13 qts to get it to the full line, but it is slightly over, which makes me nervous. I've been filling to 12 and am slightly down in the 'safe' zone.

 

[p-Bar]

Oh Oh here we go

 

[john3976]

According to Cummins and Dodge 12 quarts is it, if you read your owners manual it will tell you to start the engine to warm it up and then shut it down and let it sit for 5 minutes before pulling the dip stick to check the oil level. If you follow Cummins and Dodges instructions 12 quarts will show up as full on the dip stick.



13 quarts is over filling by one quart, it is enough to let the crank shaft rotate in a bath of engine oil? I doubt it, but I feel better following Dodges and Cummins instructions.