New owner of 1997 Dodge 3500 cummins

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I recently bought my first Diesel P/u, which I have wanted for years. ( could only afford used to start)

1997 Dodge 3500 cummins, QC 5 speed, 4:10 dually. Has a jacobs Ram brake.

I'm happy to have bought a cummins. I have been reading as many posts as I can to learn the do's and don't of Diesel's. Theres a LOT to learn. On another( not Dodge) board, there was mention of some special addivtive to the coolant to stop cavitation etc. Had me worried about buying a Diesel...

I realise the days of 5 quart oil changes are gone... . Now its a case worth of oil. . But I'm happy to be able to say that.

So far i have not been able to find any bargins on bulk oil or filters. ( should I just plan the days of 69 cent a quart oil on sale as history??LOL)

Any pointer on the do's and dont's would be greatly appreciated. I'm as green as they get.

Thanks in advance.

 

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Your already off to a great start, Bug Out, by being part of the TDR! You might want to order some TDR back issues, they're packed with great information.
A few quick things, I'm sure others will add some other tidbits of info:
Remember when doing oil changes that your fuel pump holds a quart of oil, and it takes about an hour for the oil to drain out of the pump back into the pan. So, when changing the oil, let it drain for a while. Go eat lunch, watch the game or the race on TV, whatever. After re-filling the engine and starting it up, don't check the oil level immediately after shutting it off, wait another hour. That's one problem with those quick-lube oil change places, they're known to overfill the 12-valves by one quart because they don't know that there's a quart sitting in the oil pump.
Filling the new oil filter with oil before installing it is always a good idea. It'll take less time for the pressure to come up, since the oil pump won't have to fill the filter before the oil gets sent to the bearings.
Use oil filter pliers instead of a band-type filter wrench. They work MUCH better. Most auto parts stores sell them
Welcome to the TDR forums!
Andy

 

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Bug Out,
Don't worry about coolant additives in the Cummins. The design of the Cummins engine removes that problem. Welcome aboard, you have a good truck there. Your 12 valve engine will out last the truck it's in. Enjoy it!

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2001, 3500, Cummins, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, freed turbo silencer, 165 watt backup lights and lookin for more.

 

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Bug Out,

Congratulations #ad
#ad
#ad
on your first Cummins. If you enjoy the truck as much as I do mine, nobody else will get to drive it. Its been such a experience driving our truck,I dont know why I waited this long to buy one.
As far as the oil purchase, I use Delo400 and I buy it by the 6 gal case fron Costco for about $33.



------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks

 

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Get your oil filters from Geno's, best price I have found.

ENJOY #ad


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95 3/4 4x4 5 Spd K&N Air Filter 100,000
Ride Rite Air Overloads
10 1/2 Cabover Camper

 

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Bug Out,

Congrats on a great truck! #ad


When you buy oil make sure it's for a diesel. Delo 400 is very good. So is Valvoline Premium Blue which is what I use. I get mine from Kragen.

For filters you may want to check with a local big rig dealer. I get Fleetguard Microglas filters from a Peterbilt dealer for about the same price as Geno's. LF3552 is the correct oil filter for your engine.

Welcome to the zoo! #ad
#ad


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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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Bug Out:

Congratulations on the purchase of your truck
and welcome to a great organization! There
are alot of choices as far as oil for your truck. As several of the other members posted
the Delo 400 Oil is very good. I am using the
Shell Rotella T 15W40 in my truck right now.
You can buy this oil by the case at "Sam's
Club" for about $33. 00. As far as fuel
filters I use the "Fleetguard" brand. You can
buy those by the case from "Genos Garage" for
about $12. 00 each. My Dodge dealership charges $31. 00 for the same filter!!

Anyway, good luck to you. I hope your Dodge
Diesel gives you the service and dependability I have gotten from mine.

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Pump Mods, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

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Thanks for the posts and help. #ad

 

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Congrats!!!... as far as oil... how about Amsoil? It is more expensive to start, but you dont have to change it nearly as often!

 

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you're going to love this engine the longer you own it--some little piece of your brain will say "isn't it about time for new plugs and wires??" and the other part will happily say "never again!"--- once you're a bit familar with underhood geography, you'll not be able to help the tinker/tweak urges that all these bad influence guys tempt us innocents with---