Million plus mile Cummins Dodge

[Pit Bull]

I've read the write-up in the latest TDR Mag on the Million plus mile Dodge Cummins. It discussed what problems they had and did not have and what they did to maintain the truck. What struck me is that they just used Rotella T oil 15 w 45 in all types of weather and changed it as the manual recommended. They also did not like using any non OEM filters, etc. I know I have read several threads about people using other products non OEM on their trucks, but most of these products cost more then OEM. I guess I am wondering why use anything but OEM filters and Rotella oil? I would be happy with just getting 500,000 miles from my truck while saving the difference in cost of the more expensive after market products. Are there any real world facts or examples that would indicate that some of these after market products are worth the cost?

Thanks

Denny

 

[24V-DSL]

If your definition of OEM means buying oil filters from the dealer, you will pay way more than from other sources like Cummins or Geno's.



I use the Fleetguard Stratapore LF3894 oil filter and pay $8. 54 at Cummins NW. Buy my Fleetguard fuel filters from them, also. Big rig shops are also good, less expensive sources.



Delo 400 15-40 every 5K, fuel filter at 10K, and so far, no worries.

 

[maint.man]

I run Rotella in every thing I own, from the lawn mower to the Cummins and have had no problems to date. I also like the fact that if I need some it's available almost anywhere, including Wally - world (Wal-mart) The only gripe I've got is that smell right after a change in my ram. BTW I usually change at 4,000 mi. and it looks about as good as when I put it in.

 

[Bigsaint]

Funny you should mention it... met an older gentleman while at work the other day. His truck was an older Dodge, Cummins badged. Stated that he was the original owner, it was a '89 with 290,000, said he never ran anything but Rotella T in it since he purchased the truck. Hardly 1,000,000 miles but interesting none the less.



Scott W.

 

[Lsfarm]

Dig out your calculator

Denny, I think I have the answer to your questions.



Dig out your calculator, then see if I did this right: the million miles were put on between march of '94, through November of '99. I came up with 68 months, there are 4. 3 weeks per month [52/12=4. 33] So 68x4. 3=292. 4 weeks x 7 days per week = 2046. 8 days .



Now take 1,000,000 /2046. 8 = 488. 56 miles per day. Ouch, my back and butt hurt just thinking of that!!



The answer to your question about oil, filters and frequency of mainenance is that the truck virtually never shut down and cooled off!!



The reason that I (and many others I would guess) use synthetic oil, special filters synthetic gear lubes etc. is that I put my truck through severe service: The run up to the grocery store, [ 3. 5 miles], or to the bank [4. 5 miles] from a cold start is much harder on the engine and drive line than 100 miles rolling down the highway, fully warmed up and lubricated.



I'm sure that there are some cummins engines out there used in stationary power applications that have gone two or three times the number of hours as the million mile truck.



The worst time for an engine is the start up and cool down, and acceleration and deceleration.



So if you operate your truck in a similar manner, under similar conditions, you should easily get 500,000 miles out of the engine. But I'm willing to bet you occasionally use it to get groceries and gasoline for the lawnmower etc.



I just read the above [proof reading], and it sounds like I'm flaming you, I certainly don't mean it to sound like a flame. I've thought about how to word it differently, and can't figure it out. So if it reads like a flame, I appologize, it isn't meant to Greg L

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Dig out your calculator

Greg

Your response makes sense. I normally drive about 15 miles after starting up my truck (live in the country). So I am sure my truck is getting warm enough to burn off any condensation. About once a month I take a 350 mile drive each way to visit my Mom. But the reason you gave to use Syn. fluids is a good one. I love this truck and want to treat it right so your recommendation is taken to heart. I only drive about 20,000 miles a year, so it would take me 25 years to put 500,000 miles on my truck. I've loved all of my wives (more than this truck) but I have never been able to keep any of them half that long So this problem may not apply to me or my truck. By the way I am 52 so it looks like this truck will out last me based on driving it 20,000 miles per year

Thanks

Denny



I guess the best lesson to learn from the million mile truck story is that Dodge makes a great heavy duty truck and Cummins makes the best engines.

Originally posted by Lsfarm

Denny, I think I have the answer to your questions.



Dig out your calculator, then see if I did this right: the million miles were put on between march of '94, through November of '99. I came up with 68 months, there are 4. 3 weeks per month [52/12=4. 33] So 68x4. 3=292. 4 weeks x 7 days per week = 2046. 8 days .



Now take 1,000,000 /2046. 8 = 488. 56 miles per day. Ouch, my back and butt hurt just thinking of that!!



The answer to your question about oil, filters and frequency of mainenance is that the truck virtually never shut down and cooled off!!



The reason that I (and many others I would guess) use synthetic oil, special filters synthetic gear lubes etc. is that I put my truck through severe service: The run up to the grocery store, [ 3. 5 miles], or to the bank [4. 5 miles] from a cold start is much harder on the engine and drive line than 100 miles rolling down the highway, fully warmed up and lubricated.



I'm sure that there are some cummins engines out there used in stationary power applications that have gone two or three times the number of hours as the million mile truck.



The worst time for an engine is the start up and cool down, and acceleration and deceleration.



So if you operate your truck in a similar manner, under similar conditions, you should easily get 500,000 miles out of the engine. But I'm willing to bet you occasionally use it to get groceries and gasoline for the lawnmower etc.



I just read the above [proof reading], and it sounds like I'm flaming you, I certainly don't mean it to sound like a flame. I've thought about how to word it differently, and can't figure it out. So if it reads like a flame, I appologize, it isn't meant to Greg L

 

[wcaldwell]

D Latimer,



I guess we are both in the same situation - looks like we'll be driving our Rams for the next 20 + years or until they are outlawed because of future emission standards.



My wife told me that I would have to keep my Ram 1 year for every $1000 spent on it. I'm glad I love this truck - it's gonna be in the family a long, long time.



Wayne

 

[DHawthorne]

And if you live down here were I do, the body will rust off before the engine quits. I use Rotella in all our stuff, Kenworth 3406 CAT,

GM 6V-71 Big Blow Job Air Compressor, Ford F7000 3208 CAT 400k

Crane Truck, Two 96 Dodge 12v Cummins, Boat, and every thing else that uses oil.



Told this story before, had a 93 Ford Natural 7. 3, used 2. 5-3 qts between changes at 120k, put a Banks turbo on it, Changed from Penzoil 30HD to Rotella 15w-40. 10 months latter the engine was using 1/2 to 1 Quart between changes. Made my mind up.



My 4 cents



Dave

 

[illflem]

How about putting Rotella on the body to keep it from rusting out? I personally use Delo and expect my truck to last 20+ years. Rotella is just as good. Do agree that syn oil is better if you are doing the short trip thing. I use my Toyota for the short trips.

 

[Ross]

million mile truck

I really enjoyed the article, and gave it to my brother who's considering trading his 97 off for a new one. The article provides good insight into what might fail and when.



My only question is, how the heck did he get 200,000 miles out of the michelins????? Did I read that right, was it a typo? This seems waaayy out of line. ???



Am I the only one that was surprised by this?

 

[DHawthorne]

IllFlem Said "Put Rotella on the body to keep it from rusting out"



That would work for some cars down here that reside on the beach. Radiators last about two years if you live on the beach.



But, for real, the other advantage to using Rotella is, when installed its clear, Delo is dark. When I pull my dipstick at 7500 miles and I can still see through it, I known its clean inside the block. First signs of blowbye and carbon is dark to black oil. We use to use Delo in our stuff until Rotella came around.



Everyone has their preference, yours is to use Delo. Good for you.

You might try putting it on the well wells and the inside of your bumper to get them from rusting out in winter when salt and other chemicals are applied to the roads out there.

 

[mike r]

Great post guys! I've been using wolf's head 15-40 and am thinking about changing to something else like rotella. That's what they use at work and it comes in 55 gallon drums. When I get the garage done I'll have a place to store it. Anyone know the price of a 55 gal drum?

 

[maint.man]

Mike ; The last time I checked , locally it wasn't cheap enough to deal with the added hassle of a drum and a pump. Probobly a better deal if ya' use several gallons on a regular basis though. If memory serves me right I think the savings on a barrel over 1 gal. containers was in the neighbor hood of $15. 00 however the chance of being a quart short on a change would be slim

 

[illflem]

Don't know about Shell, but Chevron recommends that their oil be used within a year of manufacture due to a problem called additive fallout. The additives in the oil will end up at the bottom of the drum, no big deal if they fall out in a gallon jug that you use all at once. Since I use 2-3 drums of Delo per year I'd much rather deal with returnable drums than a hundred or more empty jugs. Unless you change your oil every three weeks I'd reconsider buying by the drum.

 

[RedRamer]

The guy I bought my 97 off of is now on his 4th CTD.

His first just turned 750ks, his third is mine and check my clics.

When I bought the truck he told me to just use Rotella and Dodge (fleetguard) filters.

truck still pulls like a champ.

 

[RedRamer]

Oh yeh, I forgot to add. He drives Toronto to N. Ontario (Timmins and abouts). Winter months up there is average -30C Dec to Feb!!

When you buy a tire, it's gotta be square one side to match the rest

 

[mike r]

Illflem and Goober; seems I remember something about that fallout bit now that you mention it. Also I didn't know that dodge filters were Fleetgard. Thanks for the info.

 

[hv2hunt]

I just bought some Rotella from Sam's Club in the six 1 Gallon containers. I did notice they had a Pallet of about four 50 gallon drums. I didn't look at the price. But i'm there every week so If you want to know I'll check.

 

[mike r]

Let me know on the price of the oil when you get by there. I have a diesel tractor and the wife has a TDI and pal next door has an 8000 Ford with the 10 liter 300hp in it so I think I can use one within a year or just put the egg beater in before I change oil. Thanks Guys