My Truck is "making" oil?????

[dougsram]

I also consistently had slightly above "safe" oil levels in my 2011 after 12 quart oil changes. Oil analysis revealed zero fuel dilution. Discovered leaving the dipstick out overnight resulted in lower oil level readings the next morning even with truck not driven for days. Assume the dipstick helps retain a higher level of oil in the tube? Anyway, manual states that 10 quarts brings the oil level to the bottom of the fill range and 12 quarts to the top. I now only use 11 quarts during a change which brings my level to about 5/8 full on the stick. Seems I never get the same exact oil level reading even though I check it with my truck in the same garage spot and not driven for days. Oil filter syphon as stated in thread? I asked the tech that did my sample test about 6.7 fuel issues and he only had a few with fuel dilution. And they were all well below 5% which is the manufacture's tolerance for fuel dilution. So maybe not as big of an issue as you might read about.

 

[SnoKing]

Take the oil filler cap off? So these engines do not have a crank case breather installed somewhere?????? Oil never gurgles out the drain when the plug is removed. Now if I have the door open on the 5th wheel when I run the slides in or out there is quite a rush of air in the door way!!! Just saying!

BTW I have always changed mine with the engine at full operating temperature so that "things" are suspended in the oil and flush out with it. Then again I was weaned on Texaco Havoline, as the family ran a distributorship and I worked in service stations. We use to bet an oil change that Texaco Upper Cylinder Lube would free up a stuck lifter.

SNOKING

 

[Newsa]

We are all noticing irregular dipstick readings. And when we change our oil, we often see half empty or partially empty full flow filters

 

[Newsa]

If your oil has been dangerously overfilled, it will look frothy with air bubbles as if it had been churned

 

[Alphonse]

Thanks a TON for the info Dieselnerd. I have an appointment with the dealer next week.... I'll post the outcome. Programmer? What programmer? There is no programmer when it goes to the dealer. ;-)

KC
how did this turn out?

 

[mfurrh55]

When checking the oil on my 2012 last week I noticed it was overfull. It appeared the oil level was just on the dipstick cable (above the plastic tip about, 3/4" above the "SAFE" mark). So either the previous owner overfilled the crankcase OR, possible leaking injector(s) adding fuel to the oil (leaking past the piston rings)? I changed the oil right away and put in the required 12 quarts. Upon doing the oil/filter change and running the truck about 5 miles, I rechecked and noticed the fresh oil still was reading over the "SAFE" zone on my dipstick, but it was at least on the plastic portion of the dip stick but not up to the cable. Hmmmmm. I bought the truck at 25k miles. Now has about 28k. It starts just fine and runs great. No black smoke out the back - like I would think if an injector(s) was leaking? However, on the other hand, I am only getting about 13 MPG around town 17 on the hwy - empty, with no load, EDGE programmer on level 2 (Towing). Some other truck owners say they get better mileage with their trucks. Also, I noticed that the particulate burn seems to kick in every other day or so.... seems to me these facts would point to a leaky injector(s). I'm thinking I'll reset the PCM to "STOCK" this weekend and remove the EDGE programmer. Take it into the dealer for evaluation. What are your thoughts?

Bottom line questions if you'd please:
1) What kind of MPG are you getting?
2) Where is the oil level on your truck just after an oil change? At, above or below the "SAFE" mark?
3) What other symptoms (if any) would indicate a leaky injector?

Thanks for your help!

so, what was the outcome?, Monte

 

[AH64ID]

It seems we run into the "overfull" scenrio every few months.

The engine capacity is 12 quarts, but that doesn't mean that 12 quarts dumps out when you pull the plug out. If you blindly add 12 quarts you will be overfull. Add 11 quarts and see where you are at.

The design of the oil pan drain plug holds quite a bit of oil in the pan that cannot be drained, the head holds a bit of oil, the oil cooler holds oil, etc. 12 quarts is the total capacity for a dry engine.

The oil in the filter will partially drain back, so a half full filter at the change is normal and a welcome sight to keep it from spilling everywhere. The longer the enigne has been off the lower the level in the filter.

Oil temperature also plays a big part in dipstick readings. IIRC the oil will grow 5% from a cool day to operating temp. 5% is 0.6 quarts which is 30% of the "safe zone" on the dipstick, so even thou 5% doesn't seem like much it can make a big difference on level readings.

 

[SnoKing]

I can remember a few classic oil throwers. One I believe was the 440, it would throw the first quart and then remain at the level, add that quart back and it would shortly throw it out again! Chris

 

[jacknife]

it is easy to tell if Diesel is getting into the oil just use your nose. You can smell it .

 

[w6pea]

it is easy to tell if Diesel is getting into the oil just use your nose. You can smell it .

The above statement is so true. Also if you use Synthetic Oil there is an obvious difference between the odor of Synthetic Oil and Dino Oil. Also if you have Diesel leaking into your oil you can smell it. Also what was the out come of your trip to the dealer?

 

[EDankievitch]

I had a 2012 that would make oil. The computer would ask for an oil change every 1800 miles if you did the change when requested you'd get between 16 to 18 qts out of it. The Dealer did all the re flashes and replaced injectors that tested "questionable" After a year I tossed in the towel when Ram tried to tell me that I was not using the truckin a manor it was designed for. How using a truck 650-750 miles a week and towing assorted trailers was not what the truck was designed for is beyond me. In hind sight I had a good Lemon Law case however I did not go down that road. I was looking at a Ford when my dealer called an said they made the numbers work on a 2013 Ram. so for $45 more a month I cashed the 12 in. While I really miss the standard cab and the manual transmission that I had special ordered making the jump to the 13 was the best move ever. The fuel econ is almost 1/3 better than the 12 my oil change intervals as per the computer can be as long as 15,000 miles however I can't allow my self to go past 10,000. The oil is clean and fuel free. She'll use about a quart in 8,000 miles. The money that I save just with the better fuel econ more than off set the extra $45 a month in my payments. I don't care much for the auto transmission bt it works. That Ford I was was looking at ended up being bought by a friend he's had good luck with it. Much like my 13 Ram it just seems to work but with a few less computer softwhere bugs than the Ram had.So do your self a favor cash out that 12 look into a 13 or newer Ram or Ford. You'll sleep better knowing that in the morning you've got a oil pan full of Oil and not fuel.

 

[AH64ID]

She'll use about a quart in 8,000 miles.

Has it done that since new? That doesn't seem normal at all.

 

[w6pea]

Has it done that since new? That doesn't seem normal at all.

I have to second that question. Doesn't seem right.

 

[EDankievitch]

Honda says a quart in a thousand miles is normal. I'm very happy with a quart or less in 8000 miles.

 

[AnOldBiker]

Honda says a quart every 1k is normal ?
That means if you change the oil every 5k, and you had replace a quart every 1k, you did a complete oil change in enough time to do a complete oil change ?
So does this mean you only have to change the filter at the due mileage and just keep replacing the oil as needed ?
I thought Honda had better tolerances and parts material than that.

 

[RustyJC]

Honda says a quart every 1k is normal ?
That means if you change the oil every 5k, and you had replace a quart every 1k, you did a complete oil change in enough time to do a complete oil change ?
So does this mean you only have to change the filter at the due mileage and just keep replacing the oil as needed ?
I thought Honda had better tolerances and parts material than that.

Sounds like a typical CYA statement driven by the beancounters and lawyers. I've never added any oil whatsoever between changes to any Honda or Acura I've owned.

Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

Honda says a quart in a thousand miles is normal. I'm very happy with a quart or less in 8000 miles.

Ha!!

This isn't a Honda and it's not normal. There is nothing I would be happy about with a quart in 8,000 miles. You have something wrong with your engine/turbo, period.

 

[AH64ID]

Honda says a quart in a thousand miles is normal. I'm very happy with a quart or less in 8000 miles.

Ha!!

This isn't a Honda and it's not normal. There is nothing I would be happy about with a quart in 8,000 miles. You have something wrong with your engine/turbo, period.

 

[Alphonse]

Honda says a quart in a thousand miles is normal. I'm very happy with a quart or less in 8000 miles.

How about sharing with us where that Honda statement is coming from. I am a bit surprised by that. I have owned lots of Honda vehicles and never expected that nor would I have found that acceptable.

 

[sag2]

How about sharing with us where that Honda statement is coming from. I am a bit surprised by that. I have owned lots of Honda vehicles and never expected that nor would I have found that acceptable.

Fairly standard statement from the major manufacturers. FCA is 1qt/2000 less than 50k, 1qt/750 over 50k.

From TSB 09-007-15 (it's much longer, only showing the specifications)
**MODELS: This bulletin applies to all 2012-2016 FCA US LLC vehicles equipped
with gasoline engines.**

Oil Consumption
**The accepted rate of oil consumption for engines used in the vehicles listed above is 1
quart (0.946 liter) in 2,000 miles (3,200 km) for the 1st 50,000 miles (80,467 km). For
vehicles with more then 50,000 miles (80,467 km) the acceptable oil consumption for
engines is 1 quart (0.946 liter) in 750 miles (1,207 km).**

As far as the Cummins, as a rule they do not use much if any oil between changes, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with one that uses a quart in 8k. If it was yours I guess you would want the engine torn down and the turbo replaced on a wild goose chase. I don't think so.