new guy with dealership oil change

[cosborne]

I just bought my new 2 me 98 24v CDT with 100k on it. I wasn't sure what the dealership or the prior owner had serviced so without time to do things myself, I just dropped it off at the dealership. They will be doing a BG flush on the transmission and taking care of a couple of the recalls (Hitch and fuel tube).



I also asked them to do the oil change... not knowing how long it had been since the last one. I have spent a lot of time listening to eveyone in the forum and have learned so much. When I asked them what filter they would be using he just said Mopar. I asked about a Fleetguard and it said it was the same. I asked what type of oil, since I would like to send in a sample to be analyzed, and he replied... . Mopar. 15w-40. I was expecting like Rotella or some options or something... but got none... just Mopar.



Do I need to ask more questions or do the service advisors really know?

Are there any other service realted things I should be asking about? It is very clean, runs very well, and seems to have been well takin care of. I plan on owning it forever, and would really like some gauges, and maybe an EZ down the road.....



You guys are great, and thanks for all the help !!!

 

[WyoJim]

cosborne... . Let me tell you some of my actual experiences with dealer service.



I had an automatic transmission serviced at a Dodge dealer in PA prior to a trip to Phoenix AZ. The first time I pulled into a rest stop I could see a line of oil on the blacktop follow me right into my parking place. Upon investigation I determined they had over filled the transmission. It was working alright so I proceeded with my trip. It was still making a track in New Mexico, but still working good. It finally quit running out in AZ and I never had any trouble with it.

You had better check the transmission oil as per the manual, because I had mine serviced once in WY and found it needed two more quarts to be right.



I had the dealer in Bozeman MT service my truck and they did not grease the under carriage. I took it back and had them do it.



You need to double check every thing they are supposed to do. They might not change the oil filter in either the transmission or the engine. They might not put the correct spec oil in the engine.



The only way to be sure it is done right is do it yourself!!!

 

[cosborne]

Thanks for the input WyoJim... not really what I wanted to hear

But not knowing what had been done or when prior I had to start somewhere... .

I'm actually kind of mechanically inclined but time is always against me



Hopefully they will do their job and next time I can do it myself... .

Any thoughts on Mopar Oil and filters?

 

[WyoJim]

I used Mopar filters until I started ordering fleetguard from Geno's and I did know who made their oil but I forgot. The problem with the oil is if they even use oil with the correct specs.



I think you bought a truck of a good Mfg year. But at 100,000 miles it is getting ready for a lot of required maintenance for the the next 100,000. Brakes, Tie rods ends, track bar, ball joints, universal joints and sometime before another 100,000 the Transmission if its an automatic. The clutch if it is not. You should look at all these things and not figure it is a lemon when they begin requiring attention. The other thing is... don't fix any of this stuff until it needs it.

 

[Shovelhead]

1. I'd question the trans flush. It can dislodge alot of crap inside the trans which finds it's way onto the filter.



2. Did they change the trans filter? You HAVE to drop the trans pan to change it.



3. DEMAND to know what kind of oil they used.

If it's not diesel rated you may have problems down the road.



4. Hang out with your local TDR guys and become an information sponge. Keep asking questions, there's alot to learn, and a great bunch of people to learn from.



Edit: fat-fingered while typing again.

 

[LAnthony]

MOPAR Filters

hey guys! The filters they call "mopar" filters are just Fleet Guard filters that they paint and put there number on. The problem is that they charge an arm and a leg for them. I have lots of customers that have the life time oil change deal from the dealer, but they buy the filter from us so the dealer can't charge the huge mark up to try to get there money back on the "free" oil change. -Lane-

 

[D White]

Hey Cosborne,



Get your signature up so we can see what you have, also whats your location. Just helps us out for answering questions later down the road.



Good luck with the new ride,



Doug

 

[cosborne]

Thanks D White! I updated my info... . didn't know about such things but I'm getting there!! Again you guys are a big help!

Trying to get ready for summer out here in the desert! Really love my new truck. Had a 1999 5. 2L 1500 5 speed but needed the extra power and capacity for the boat and camper. We're looking to spend as much time as we can at Lake Powell this year!!

Thanks again

 

[D White]

That looks better, Enjoy the new truck. Get rid of all your credit cards, this place can get expensive. I'm pretty much stock with no mods yet. Like I said, Yet. They'll come soon enough. You'll never find a better bunch ,tons of info here. Sometimes to much!!



Have fun,



Doug

 

[Snow man]

Cosborne, the Mopar filter is fine,you pay a lot for the grey paint,since is just a painted fleetguard. The Mpar oil is good stuff,not usre who makes it,but ill tell you its diesel rated oil that they run in all the turbo diesels,and turbo gas cars at the DC dealers. I know of a few trucks with 200K on them,and all they ever used was Mopar 15w40. I hope you get good service,not all dealers are bad,but few seem to care much about our trucks,as much as we do.

 

[cosborne]

Thanks Snow Man. I needed to hear some positive feedback through all of this. I have had my prior truck serviced by this same dealer and they seem to have always taken care of me... I hope this is one of those times

In the future, I hope to be able to do more of the service myself, thats the only way to really know what has been done I guess.

Right now I am a sponge just... just soaking it all up! Thanks again

Corey

 

[TERMINATOR]

cosborne-welcome to tdr i have used mopar filter and 15/40 my third ctd combined mileage well over 300,000 miles never a problem and always tow. If can see your way clear do it yourself like wyotim said toooo many screw ups at dealer. GOOD LUCK

 

[Royal]

Cosborne-----If you ever need some expert advise & service on your Cummins see my friend Steve at Diesel Services in G. Junction. He is a authorised BOSCH fuel injection Service Dealer. One of the best in the country. .

 

[Archive]

dealership oil changes???

Well, you guys got me thinking... . I did purchase a lifetime oil change with my new truck.

I'm getting the oil, filter, and lube.

The filter is a part# 5016547AC.

Is this the filter we're talking about cross referencing with the fleetguard?

 

[JPittman]

Yes, that is the correct oil filter number.

 

[Pit Bull]

Guess I am lucky, I have a great dealer. I can watch them work on my truck and they work mostly on CTD's. Their prices are great and not worth me doing myself based on their prices and the fact that they care about my truck. I feel like it is like having a second set of eyes and ears looking for any problems.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Hey PIT BULL your dealer anywhere near NY i need new dealer.

 

[csevers]

dealerships

Not all dealerships are totaly incompitent I have had mostly good service from two different dealers only one time had lazy mech not grease truck after 1st oil change. The dealerships that I use always do whats expected but I only take it in for warrenty stuff now the five star thing must be pretty important to the dealerships I nocked them on one of the survey that d/c sent out after service work was performed and the service writer jumped me about it the next time I stoped in. He would have prefered that I dealt with him direct on the problem bad results from surveys must take 2x of good responces to over come bad one s



GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRUCK

ENJOY THE RIDE

 

[Texas Diesel]

Here is a little trick I used when I had a slush box back in 95, I would take a large ziplock freezer bag in and tell the service writer I wanted the old filter back for examination. I had all of them with the mileage they were changed at, that way I could look for obvious problems, I also asked to be called when they dropped the pan so I could see inside for the same reason, they never gave me any problems and I was assured they actually performed the service.

 

[cosborne]

Well after all of that, the dealership "forgot" to do the oil change. They did the transmission flush, hitch brackets and fuel tube recall stuff, but no oil change. Which actually left me rather relieved. Now I can do it myself and know what has beed done. I picked up some Rotella T and will run out to Cummins this afternoon for some filters. I have read a bunch about others who have ran into problems getting the filter off. Are there other things I should know about before I get started? I have a 14qt catch pan, and the oil plug seems to be a recessed type of bolt... . no nut sticking out to turn... kind of looks like the back end of a socket.



Thanks for all the input... you guys are great!