I have a few quick oil and fuel filter change questions..

[jgruberman]

I found this website: http://www.cumminshub.com/6.7-cummins-maintenance-schedule.html in search for oil change information and had a few quick questions(assuming this website is accurate/reputable). Please note, I want to stay as close to factory recommended as possible.

1. What brand oil is recommended? I see the website says 15W-40 but it doesn't specify what type
2. The website lists a Fleetguard oil filter. Do I use this one or Mopar? I found a good Mopar filter deal(all three) on Amazon(http://a.co/d/2JqSHMu) and wanted to be sure I used the correct one.
3. Is there any sort of official instructional/tutorial online or is it as simple as a normal oil and fuel filter change? I'd like to follow some sort of official instruction the first time if it's available.

I THINK from the videos that I've seen that all three filter and oil changes are pretty straightforward. Are there any "hidden gotchas" that I should know about?

 

[Corbet]

FWIW I've used a Valvoline 15-40 (IIRC it's a synthetic blend) on my old 24V 5.9. I have not serviced my new rig myself yet; just left it to the dealership.

 

[jgruberman]

FWIW I've used a Valvoline 15-40 (IIRC it's a synthetic blend) on my old 24V 5.9. I have not serviced my new rig myself yet; just left it to the dealership.

I didn't realize it was regular oil. I thought it had to be something special, but my previous was an EcoDiesel which IIRC, DID require special stuff.

 

[GrantP]

I believe the EcoDiesel did require "special stuff", at least initially. I think they've relaxed those requirements since but I don't really follow the ED stuff because I know I'll never own one (not bashing, just have no interest).

15W-40 that meets the CK-4 spec is what you want. Fleetguard or Mopar filters are fine. My choice between those two would be the Fleetguard Stratapore. Oil changes are just as straightforward as a gas engine, though you'll get a bunch of people chiming in as to the best way to remove the filter, from the top, through the fenderwell, etc. Suit yourself.

 

[Corbet]

I didn't realize it was regular oil. I thought it had to be something special, but my previous was an EcoDiesel which IIRC, DID require special stuff.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear; it was not regular oil. It is a specialty product manufactured by Valvoline. It was either a full synthetic or synthetic blend. It was specific to diesel engines though

 

[jgruberman]

I believe the EcoDiesel did require "special stuff", at least initially. I think they've relaxed those requirements since but I don't really follow the ED stuff because I know I'll never own one (not bashing, just have no interest).

15W-40 that meets the CK-4 spec is what you want. Fleetguard or Mopar filters are fine. My choice between those two would be the Fleetguard Stratapore. Oil changes are just as straightforward as a gas engine, though you'll get a bunch of people chiming in as to the best way to remove the filter, from the top, through the fenderwell, etc. Suit yourself.

Thank you @GrantP, that helps reassure me both in terms of having Mopar and Fleetguard interchangeable, but also raising my confidence that the oil change will be easy enough I won't have to take it to the dealer.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear; it was not regular oil. It is a specialty product manufactured by Valvoline. It was either a full synthetic or synthetic blend. It was specific to diesel engines though

Thanks @Corbet, I'll make sure to check the Owners Manual(not sure why I didn't think of this before) to ensure I get the right type of oil... at least I have a good baseline to start with in terms of brand.

 

[jgruberman]

I assume something like this would be sufficient: https://www.ruralking.com/valvoline-premium-blue-15w-40-1-gallon - moreso something that specifies diesel engines, etc. What about stuff like Rotella? Does it just need to specify diesel or will that be implied if it meets the CK-4 spec?

 

[GrantP]

Probably any 15w-40 you find on the local auto parts store shelf is going to be CK-4. The brand is probably less important, as long as it meets the CK-4 spec (on the API donut on the back of the bottle). Synthetics are generally 5w-40. You're not in a cold climate so I wouldn't bother with synthetic but that's your call.

 

[Corbet]

The Valvoline product you have selected would be fine. FWIW I used Delo and Rotella both (which ever was available and less expensive) on my 5.9 12V and for the first 100k miles or so on my 5.9 24V

 

[jgruberman]

Probably any 15w-40 you find on the local auto parts store shelf is going to be CK-4. The brand is probably less important, as long as it meets the CK-4 spec (on the API donut on the back of the bottle). Synthetics are generally 5w-40. You're not in a cold climate so I wouldn't bother with synthetic but that's your call.

That's interesting, so I could just use any ole oil that meets that spec? Would a synthetic blend be wise? I have yet to make it outside to my glove box and manual so that may answer some questions lol

 

[GrantP]

That's interesting, so I could just use any ole oil that meets that spec? Would a synthetic blend be wise? I have yet to make it outside to my glove box and manual so that may answer some questions lol

Pretty much. Some here run whatever house brand is available and cheap, others run expensive Amsoil. Valvoline is a very safe choice and still affordable. There has been some very good articles by John Martin on different oils in past TDR magazines if you care to look them up.

I've personally never seen a synthetic blend in 15w-40.

 

[Newsa]

I think just about every oil company makes a 15w 40 synthetic blend (blend of synthetic and conventional)

Not every company makea a 15w 40 full synthetic.

I've used conventional, synthetic blends, and full synthetics. All work well and seem to give a variety of people on here good oil analysis samples.

My personal favorite is kendall suoer D XA 15w 40.

But since there are some full synthetics that are showing up cheaper, i will soon be trying a new brand of full synthetic.

More important than the brand of oil is the filter. Mopar filters are adequate, but most of us use a better filter made by cummins/ fleetguard (LF 16035) or Donaldson (DBL or ELF7349) (not sure if i have the donaldson number correct???). Donaldson makes the amsoil ones so those are good too.

I also installed an amsoil bypass filter which really makes a difference in filtering out soot & other particles 3-20 microns.

The toilet paper bypass filters are good too. But i was originally and somewhat naively worried about lint particles coming off the toilet paper filters , so i went with the more expensive amsoil one

 

[GrantP]

I think just about every oil company makes a 15w 40 synthetic blend (blend of synthetic and conventional)

I stand corrected. Looks like there are some out there, I just haven't seen them on the shelves.

 

[jgruberman]

I think just about every oil company makes a 15w 40 synthetic blend (blend of synthetic and conventional)

Not every company makea a 15w 40 full synthetic.

I've used conventional, synthetic blends, and full synthetics. All work well and seem to give a variety of people on here good oil analysis samples.

My personal favorite is kendall suoer D XA 15w 40.

But since there are some full synthetics that are showing up cheaper, i will soon be trying a new brand of full synthetic.

More important than the brand of oil is the filter. Mopar filters are adequate, but most of us use a better filter made by cummins/ fleetguard (LF 16035) or Donaldson (DBL or ELF7349) (not sure if i have the donaldson number correct???). Donaldson makes the amsoil ones so those are good too.

I also installed an amsoil bypass filter which really makes a difference in filtering out soot & other particles 3-20 microns.

The toilet paper bypass filters are good too. But i was originally and somewhat naively worried about lint particles coming off the toilet paper filters , so i went with the more expensive amsoil one

So full synthetics are also good to use on the engine? I don't mind going one avenue or another, I just want to do what's best for it

 

[Newsa]

Since i live in Florida, i prefer 15w 40..... Or even 20w 50.... Amsoil makes a "Dominator" 20w 50 now that meets ck4 standards. It's a little pricey, so i haven't yet tried it.

Not real fond of the 5w 40 full synthetics for our warm florida weather. But i have used full syn 5w 40 when traveling north for the winter.

These are just my preferences. All ck4 oil is ok for these cummins engines. CJ4 is also OK for the 2013-2017. You CAN use full synthetic, you don't have to. I know that some people have noticed milky white residue in the valve cover. But i doubt that happens with a high quality oil. I have been using syn blends and full synthetics since 2015 in my 2013. The first 2 years, i had free oil changes at the dealer and they just put dino

 

[jgruberman]

Since i live in Florida, i prefer 15w 40..... Or even 20w 50.... Amsoil makes a "Dominator" 20w 50 now that meets ck4 standards. It's a little pricey, so i haven't yet tried it.

Not real fond of the 5w 40 full synthetics for our warm florida weather. But i have used full syn 5w 40 when traveling north for the winter.

These are just my preferences. All ck4 oil is ok for these cummins engines. CJ4 is also OK for the 2013-2017. You CAN use full synthetic, you don't have to. I know that some people have noticed milky white residue in the valve cover. But i doubt that happens with a high quality oil. I have been using syn blends and full synthetics since 2015 in my 2013. The first 2 years, i had free oil changes at the dealer and they just put dino

So it sounds like my best bet is a good quality CK4 synthetic blend unless a good brand of full synthetic is available for cheaper(sometimes Walmart has crazy sale prices).

One last question that I thought I was told some time ago... but if I go full synthetic, I need to continue full synthetic or I can switch between full and blend with no issues? Something I remember from my youth, no idea if it was every true or still is

 

[garyp285]

Rotella T4 for me, it's cheaper than Vavoline premium blue at Wallmart.

 

[nukegm]

for my first oil change, i used rotella and a filter from genos. went through the wheel well. pretty easy. hardest thing was to get the factory filter off. it was robot tight. i have no input on the fuel filters, however im due to change them in 1300 miles. cheers comrade! and dont forget the elusive grease fitting on the front driveshaft.

 

[jgruberman]

for my first oil change, i used rotella and a filter from genos. went through the wheel well. pretty easy. hardest thing was to get the factory filter off. it was robot tight. i have no input on the fuel filters, however im due to change them in 1300 miles. cheers comrade! and dont forget the elusive grease fitting on the front driveshaft.

The grease fitting? Do elaborate friend!

 

[Newsa]

The grease fitting? Do elaborate friend!

Only if you have 4x4.

Every 15k

Video here.