Oil and Filter

[Cobra]

I need help. I am new to diesel operation.
I have a 2001 RAM 2500 4x4 QC with 5,000 miles on the clock. I have changed oil twice. Once at 1,000 and once at 5,000. My problem is that I used Pennzoil oil and filter. It was 15w40 formulated for diesel but now I have been reading all these posts about oil. My concern is with the filter more than the oil because I have been using Pennzoil for many years and I know it is quality. Atleast for gasoline engines. Should I change that filter right now or will it be ok to go to the next oil change. Thanks. Bill Kute

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Bill Kute

 

[Guest00]

The Fleetgaurd filter for your truck is not the same as for the 12 valve. They had problems with the ISB blowing out the o ring or splitting the case. The old style filter will fit but could burst. I will guarentee that the Pennzoil filter does not have the heavier can and element that Fleetguard does.
If you get them from Cummins or Geno's Garage they are not expensive. ( about $8 I think ). Cummins has 2 grades of filters, premium and fleet. Get the premium, STRATAPORE, It is about a buck more than the fleet spec. .
If your filter blows on the road you will be sol. When there is no oil left how much internal damage will occure ?? If it will still run after an filter and oil fill how long will it last???. Repairs under warrany - I doubt it but Pennzoil will refund the price of the filter if you still have the receipt.

It' your truck... ... ...

edit: I always keep a spare oil filter and 2 fuel filters and filter wrenches under the back seat for emergencies. It will not take long to go through 2 fuel filters if you ever get a tank of contaminated fuel, but you will be able to get to a town or truck stop to drain tank and get more filters.

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 04-18-2001). ]

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Definatley go with the Stratopore filter. As far as brand of Oil, Penzoil is not bad, but there is better. Delvac, Rotella, etc. 15W-40 is a good weight. And dont even consider synthetics till at least 15k, 20-25k is ideal.

 

[PUFF00]

I would change it.

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2001. 5 3500 QC 4X4 6-speed HO 3. 55 black
1998 Jeep TJ black http://www.nm4w.org/members/puffer.htm

 

[BigDaddy]

Bill,
Welcome to the TDR #ad


Ditto on the above posts.
Here are some part numbers so you can be sure of what to get/order.
Fleetgaurd - LF3959
Fleetguard-Stratapore - LF3894


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<font color=forestgreen>2000</font> DODGE <font color=forestgreen>RAM</font>, <font color=forestgreen>2500 HD</font>, 4x4 SLT, Reg. Cab, <font color=forestgreen>Forest Green</font>, Agate interior, Cummins ISB, Auto, Shift-on-the-Fly (241HD), 4. 10 LS, ABS, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Group, Michelin; DC: Fog Lights Kit, Tow Rings, Under Rail Bedliner, VentVisors, Splash Guards, Cold Weather Cover, & Mats.
<font color=forestgreen>After-market</font>: JRE 4" Exhaust, Van Aaken, High Idler, Heavy Duty Idler Pulley, Gatorback Belt, Painless Wiring, K40, Viper w/AutoStart, Clarion 6 Disk CD w/remote, UnidenCB w/Francis antenna, Draw-Tite Activator II, Alpex 255TC2C Air Horns, Continental BedRails, Delo 400, HOWES, Liquid Glass.

BigDaddy's Ram #ad
New England RamRiggers

<font color=36648B>2001 PT Cruiser Limited Edition</font>

 

[Okie-Go]

Be safe. Change the filter,if needed you can put a little oil back in to top it off. The few dollars will give you piece of mind. Be sure to fill the filter before putting it on. I usualy get it to about an inch from the top to avoid spilling any.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Wayne M]

My dealer suggested right off the bat to not use a Penzoil or Fram oil filter. He suggested several but Fleet and Cummins were two of the four or five he suggested. I use the Cummins... . believe it is made by Fleet.

I also use Rotella T and change oil every 5,000 miles.

My 02 worth.

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1999 2500 Quad Cab, Driftwood, auto w/towing, all stock with K&N filter... add-ons = ULTRA Alum directional spoke wheels(16 x 8), over the rail tool box-LineX coated, Westin step bars-LineX coated, LineX bedliner

 

[cullyguy]

Fleetguard is a CUMMINS owned company. They will replace or repair your engine should it be caused by the failure of one of their filters. Several Oil companies also make this same warranty in regards to their oil. Check out this page for the fleetguard warranty info http://www.fleetguard.com/en/customer_assistance/en_warranty. jhtml

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Steve in Spokane,01 4x4 Auto Quad Cab SB, NRA Life Member, 99- H-D FLHRCI Coalbalt Blue,00 XR650R Power Upped, Former PSD owner

 

[Royal]

Last year there was a post on filters. Some engineer did a study on filter quality. Fram was on the bottom of the list for quality. And
quess who makes Pensoils filter = FRAM. !!!!!
I would not use eiter one on any engine.

 

[Michael Hughes]

I would change the filter. Get the new filter and pre-fill it before putting it on. Better safe then sorry.

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1999 2500 ST LB 4X4 Metallic Red, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, LSD, camper and tow package
Westach Boost/EGT (pre and post turbo) mounted on A pillar.

 

[TowPro]

This problem JNutter talks about is true, but when it happins, you loose all your oil and hopfully stop.

An even worse problem is the INSIDE filter media of the "Not Cummins" filters can come apart, and little pieces will clog these small holes inside the engine tnat are made to spray oil onto the bottom of the pistons for cooling. This is real bad, most times they replace the motor when it happins. I have heard of more then one "other" filter doing this!

I would go directly to a dodge dealer, buy a filter and put it on, (sure it cost more, but you can get it right now), Then call Gino's and order a 4-2-1 pack. 4 oil filters, 2 fuel filters, 1 air filter.
Every other oil change, change the fuel filter. I change oil at 7500, and 15,000 for fuel.

Write it off as a lesson learned, but get that "other" oil filter off there!

Originally posted by JNutter:
They had problems with the ISB blowing out the o ring or splitting the case. [This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 04-18-2001). ]

 

[Fred Swanson]

Bill, I'd pick up the Fleetguard Stratapore Filter, LF-3894 and put it on now. I wouldn't take a chance on this motor. You paid alot for the motor, protect it as best you can.


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Fred Swanson
Co-Owner
Canyon State Components, LLC
www.canyonstatecomponents.com


'00 QC,SB,4x4,Auto,3. 54 w/LSD,Trailer Package,Tow Package,DTT's
TC(91%)&VB(80psi),DD2's,EZ,HOT PE,K&N RE-0880,Cummins RED Valve Cover

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by Bill Kute:
I need help. I am new to diesel operation.
I have a 2001 RAM 2500 4x4 QC with 5,000 miles on the clock. I have changed oil twice. Once at 1,000 and once at 5,000. My problem is that I used Pennzoil oil and filter. It was 15w40 formulated for diesel but now I have been reading all these posts about oil. My concern is with the filter more than the oil because I have been using Pennzoil for many years and I know it is quality. Atleast for gasoline engines. Should I change that filter right now or will it be ok to go to the next oil change. Thanks. Bill Kute

Change it now get filter at NAPA or cummins or Truck stop make sure its the new type send for filters later . Don't chance it . LoL



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99DCTD3500 5spd pac,/American Star 26ft 5th wheel one slide. (95),mod

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Avoid Fram, that have gone seriously down hill in the last few years. You cant go wrong with Fleetguard and as mentioned, they are owned by Cummins. They are a top of the line filter.

 

[HossDiesel]

Mobil1 !! the very best.

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99 quad cab 4x4 5spd 355 gears sandstone color K&N air filter starit pipe spray in bed liner goose neck ball- theres nothig like the smell of Diesel in the morning.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Mobil 1 is actually not approved for use in diesels if you look at the specifications. You are much better off with the Amsoil or a Diesel Specific Synthetic. Its alos alot cheaper. Mobil 1 is by far the most overpriced synthetic since they know moct people think Mobil 1 when they hear the word synthetic oil.

 

[Archive]

At last count Fleetgaurd had 4 different filters that have been designed for use on "B" series engines. The lastest and greatest of these is the LF3894. The 2 valve filters are TOO WEAK to hold up on an ISB. Think about THAT for a minute or two. IMHO, if Fleetgaurd was so perfect, EVERY filter they've made would at least "stay together" on an ISB regardless of the media's filtration capacity. Nothing like engineering to the lowest common denominator. Just something to think about gentlemen..... #ad
(Before I'm flamed, I never said that the LF3894 wasn't a good filter. I learn the most from threads just like this one! Thanks, and please jump in here. ) #ad

 

[DocStressor]

Fleetguard had a problem with a very small percentage of their microglass filters when used with the ISB. There were reports that a few cases split during startups in very cold weather. Apparently the 24 valve has higher initial oil pressure during startup than the 12 valve engine. Fleetguard stopped recommending the microglass filter media for 24 valve applications (in general, the finer the filtration, the higher the back pressure), they came out with the stratapore medium (less back pressure, higher capacity), and they designed heavier cases for both the paper and stratapore filters. The 2 older design filters work fine with the 12 valve engine and cost a little less so they still sell them. I think what they did was pretty responsible. Fleetguard, Amsoil, and Mobil 1 filters are all good choices for the Cummins. I agree with what everyone is saying about the avoiding the Frams and other low end filters. The Cummins uses high viscosity oil and operates at high pressure and flow rate. The chance of a cheap filter shedding medium and ruining an engine is small but real. Use a good filter.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags,Reese Titan V hitch, Mag-Hytec differential cover with Amsoil 2000 75W-90 lube, Amsoil air filter

 

[5thram]

Man, this one really opened the floodgates, didn't it? Lots of good opinions, though. Way to go, Bill!

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2001. 5 intenseblue ETH/DEE sportpkg,mostly stock and likely to stay that way.