Mopar Oil and Filters

[David Pendleton]

Hello all.



For the three years I owned my 01 CTD, I used Fleetguard Filters and Rotella T.



I've read the oil and filter threads, and everybody has their favorite, but not too many folks recommended the OEM oil and filters.



When I bought my new truck, (an 03), I got 7 years of LOF free. I'd like to take advantage of it, but only if it's at least comparable to what I was using.



Any opinions?



Thanks.



David

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I would absolutely use them, they are fine products. The only reason no one talks about using them is because the dealers get about 3 times as much for them as comparable stuff on the open market. You can buy a fleetgaurd fuel filter from Cummins for $11 or buy it from Dodge for $47, see what I mean.

 

[Rosco]

From the stuff I have read on this site I have learned that the Mopar filter is just a fleetguard painted gray. I am not sure if it is a Stratapore or the regular one though.

 

[David Pendleton]

I've heard the same thing.



If it turned out that the Mopar filter was a Stratapore, I wouldn't give this a second thought...



David

 

[ddutil]

The D/C fuel filter sells for $65 CDN up here. The part clerk joked "plus $4 for the dust on the box". I wiped the dust with my vest and said "Ok, $4 rebate for cleaning it myself" and then "thanks anyway, keep your thing, I'll find another source"...



Dealership pricing on these consumables makes no sense, no sense at all.



Dan

 

[hammersley]

What worries me more than the filter

is the oil they use. They aren't using what I use - or probably what you use either. It comes from a gun - and lord knows what's really in the jug . Also - good oil or not - they are in a hurry - and you know they don't let it drain like we do. - But I'm retired and I like to do this right . I had the same for my truck when I bougt it - but I had to drive about 70 miles RT/ across town and never did it. And the Mopar filter is NOT the stratopore!

 

[DPKetchum]

My first oil and fhilter was free. they used a MOPAR filter of course and brought out three gallons of Mopar 15w40. Said thats THE only oil they carry for diesel. All the dealers are suppose to carry it AND USE Mopar 15w40 in Cummins.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

David, how often would you get oil changes? If they are 5000 miles or less you should be OK even with the "standard" cellulose media filter. Longer than that I wouldn't be very interested unless it's the Stratapore equivalent.



Vaughn

 

[Steve M]

Huh? My owner's manual says 7500 miles for severe service and 15000 miles for light service using Mopar filters or equivelant. I don't think it's a marketing ploy. The HEMI requires 3500mile oil/filter changes. Chrysler would make more money with a shorter interval as most owners go back to the dealer for maintenance.

Since the standard filter lets more dirt through and the stratapore catches more, wouldn't the stratapore clog up faster than the standard filter?

 

[Prairie Dog]

As I understand it the stratapore is only beneficial with extended changes. It doesn't take out any smaller particulate. At least thats what the guy at Geno's told me when I ordered filters.

 

[DPKetchum]

I've got mixed feelings on the oil change interval. I think I'm going to go 5k. On synthetic I would'nt mine going 12 to 15k but not on dino oil. I just waiting on enough miles to swap over to the A word 15w40h. d. then it will be 12k or yearly. Which ever comes first. That was what I did on my 1993. Usually it was 6 to 9k or a year. Once it was 11k. It was nice not having to worry about changing oil on a real regulated time frame. May go the the dual bypass system on this truck if my lifestyle changes and we start pulling and traveling more. Going to change over to the A word around 15k. That good be a year or so. Truck just turned 5k last night have had it since end of June. Have been driving it a lot. Newness and all.

 

[diesel DOG]

I do my oil every 7. 5 and had it tested twice. I lost the result but it was fine. 15/40 Valvoline. I went to the dealer and bought some filters and about died when I LOOKED AT FUEL FILTER PRICE :--)

 

[ddutil]

Dog, get 4 fuel filters at your local Cummins center or 1 at your Dodge dealer. Easy pick eh? Dan

 

[diesel DOG]

I'll only be bent over once :--)

 

[DDDavis]

My opinion is that if it wasn't going to do the job the dealer wouldn't use them. They will be the one with the most to loose. " A customer and the bad press. " I would just be sure it is a name brand filter and change them in a timely fashion. When it comes to fuel filters we have moisture sensors so we can change them asap. And the pumps have filters and so what gets in the tank is going to be very little and once again we change them regularly it will work great.

 

[Phil Howell]

Originally posted by DDDavis

My opinion is that if it wasn't going to do the job the dealer wouldn't use them. They will be the one with the most to loose. " A customer and the bad press. " I would just be sure it is a name brand filter and change them in a timely fashion. When it comes to fuel filters we have moisture sensors so we can change them asap. And the pumps have filters and so what gets in the tank is going to be very little and once again we change them regularly it will work great.

My local dealer, IMO, is the absolute worst in the DC universe. From sales to parts to service, they're totally out to lunch! They could care less whether you ever come back, so every transaction is made like that's the last they're going to see of you (probably true). I believe they would put Speedol 30 weight in our trucks if they could get it in bulk. Heck, they would probably put the used oil from the last guy's oil change in your truck if they thought no one was watching. They are immune to bad press and poor word of mouth.



My point is, we really CAN'T trust our dealership's service department to put the correct oil in our trucks. With really dishonest dealers, the normal rules of business don't apply. Take the time to make sure yourself what your dealer is pumping into your CTD from that big, dirty drum.

 

[DDDavis]

Phil those guys sound like the worst!!! I would have to say if you know that much about them don't ever darken their door. I guess that is why I do my own. That way I have no one to blame but my self.

 

[Snow man]

The DC dealer I used to work at used the 15w40 in gallons. Never were we to use bulk 10w30 in the Cummins,or the turbo gassers. Id use those oil changes,for 2 reasons,1 they are freee,and 2 it maintains records in the event you need to use your 100K warranty on the engine.

 

[MMeier]

So, maintain your own records yourself and ensure the job gets done right!!!! What's wrong with that????

 

[DPKetchum]

Lots of things I do to my own autos and trucks but changing oil is not one of them. Rarly will I do my own oil changes. Nasty/messy job. I've never(cross my fingers)had a shop screw up a oil and filter.