Oil changes every 5k kilometers?

[osmith]

I'm currently running Shell RotellaT 15w40 and most of my driving is on highway. I do tow about 1800lbs (boat) but not that often. I'm wondering if I'm overdoing the oil changes by changing every 5K kilometers (3125 miles). The manual says that I should be able to go 10k between changes, but have been told that this in not a good idea.



I've seen alot of the oil threads but can't seem to get a good idea from them, most of them are oil wars or test results. If I could go longer it would be good, as these oil changes aren't cheap for these things



Also I don't know anything about the oil tests that I've been reading about. Do you guys actually send a sample of your oil to a lab or what?



Thanks...

 

[illflem]

I feel with your type of driving you can easily go 11k kilometers (7k miles) between changes with Rotella. You may even be able to go longer with a filter change in-between but only with an oil test. Problem is unless you have a way to take an oil sample without opening the drain plug you may as well just change it since the sample should be midway though the drain. The way I do it is to connect a 1/8" valve with 3 feet of tubing to the plugged port on top of the oil filter housing while the engine is off but warmed up then start it and run some oil down the oil fill spout to flush the tubing. Then you can fill your sample bottle with no mess and little loss of oil.

www.blackstone-labs.com/ is a good lab just email them and they will send you a sample bottle with a shipping container and good instructions on how to sample. Don't know if cost is prohibitive shipping over the boarder though, you may need to find a lab in Canada.

 

[osmith]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply illflem,



I think what I'm going to do is maybe split the difference between 5k and the manual recommended 10k and push the oil change interval to 7500kms.



When you send your oil away, is it to actually see if you have to change it, or to establish a baseline for when it should be changed? Or is to monitor the wear status of inner engine components by looking at the results.



Thanks again... .

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I run Rotella also, changed every 5000 miles and sampled every other change. Last report from Blackstone said to go 6500 miles for next change. quote "very nice wearing 5. 9" I think I'll shoot for 6000 miles from here out.



117,000 miles down, 883,000 to go



I sample mine to watch the wear of the internals, also to monitor the air filtration system. Had a sample showing high wear metals on an older CAT engine, wasn't long and it was rebuild time. I dont want to comment too much on sampling, dont want to start an oil war, but there are some guys here that are EXTREMELY knowledgable when it comes to oil analysis.

 

[JHansen]

Oakley-I just put a fitting in the place that Bill is talking about that lets you take a sample on the go-it's real common out here in the oilfield. You insert a needle-tipped hose into the fitting that opens it and lets the oil flow. There's a dust cap that screws on after you're done to keep crap out and act as a secondary seal if the internal valve was actually to fail.



I am running Petro-Canada DuronXL 5W40 synthetic now-and stretching the changes to 10000 km. For me 10000 km works out to 250 engine hours which I figure is still comfortably inside the life of the oil-now that I'm rigged to sample I will grab one next time right before my oil change and have it analyzed to see what they have to say. I run the Stratapore oil filters as well... ... When I was still on mineral oil (Esso XD3 15W40) I dumped at 5000 km-I think I probably could have gotten away with stretching them but was uncomfortable doing it without sampling.



I need to get hold of some Cat service literature again. For on-highway stuff they recommend picking service times by fuel usage-or at least they used to. That makes a lot of sense to me-but unfortunately I can't remember the # they stated. I'll have to do some digging again.



Jason

 

[MDKram]

Oakley, a bunch of us are meeting for lunch this Saturday (May 25) in Edmonton. Please join us and I'm sure you will find a wealth of information. Send me a PM for details.



BTW, I am using Delvac 1 (5W40). Change the oil every 12000km, filter at 6000km. I have put this oil in many trucks around here and all the guys comment about fast they get oil pressure at -20. Its not that expensive if you know where to buy it!

Regards, Marc

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Hummin Cummins

I run Rotella also, changed every 5000 miles and sampled every other change. Last report from Blackstone said to go 6500 miles for next change. quote "very nice wearing 5. 9" I think I'll shoot for 6000 miles from here out.

.

I also use Rotella and change between 4000 and 5000 miles. Start thinking about it at 4000 and get it done before 5000 . I don't think you can hurt your truck if your stay in this range. JMHO

 

[Slow Six]

Oil change every 5000 km.

I use Cummins Premium Blue 2000 15w-40 and Fleetguard filter. I change oil and filter every 10,000 km. I now have 315,000 km. on the engine and it still does not use any oil between changes. The truck is used every day with a lot of towing with gcvw's of up to 20,000lb. I live in a rural area so the truck sees a lot of dusty conditions and so far no problems with the engine. I will contine to change oil at the 10,000 km. intervals.

 

[JHansen]

Pretty cool how the Canadian guys see a post with kilometres in the title and come 'a runnin!



J

 

[Shifterpilot69]

Hello Forum



I have a 96 3500 Auto 4X4 with 190,000. I have my oil analyzed by Blackstone at every oil change. I have used Rotella from the first oil change.



By the advise of Blackstone, I am now up to 10,000 miles ( yes Miles ) between oil changes. All of the reports advise that the oil shows no signs that the oil has been run too long. All of the reports indicate that the wear metals are well below the Universal Averages. A quote from the last report " This is a remarkably good wearing engine at 180,002 miles "



I used the truck daily unloaded, but on the weekends I use it to pull my race trailer full of Racing Karts. Trailer weight is over 13,000#. Total weight is about 21,000#. Half of my mileage is pulling the trailer around the country. Mostly the southwest (100 deg plus sometimes).



Here is my question.



I was never advised by Blackstone, or anyone else, to change the filter between oil changes. Based on the exceptional oil reports, Should I worry about changing the filter ???????



Thanks in advance,



Michael



P. S.



All of you guys are great. I really enjoy the info I get from this forum.

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by Shifterpilot69





Here is my question.



I was never advised by Blackstone, or anyone else, to change the filter between oil changes. Based on the exceptional oil reports, Should I worry about changing the filter ??????? :

Michael, soot is the main contaminate the filter pulls out, the more modified your engine the more soot you produce. Since you are totally stock I wouldn't worry about a mid-interval filter change but if you figure how much a $10 filter costs per mile over 5k miles ( . 2¢) it may be cheap insurance. Your weekend towing probably contributes to your great test results, these CTD's love to get good and warmed up, burns off condensation, minute amounts of water in the oil will turn to acid. Lots of short trips kills oil and engines.



I have gone 10k miles on a Delo oil change with lab tests saying the oil is good to go more but have settled on 8k changes to be safe. 178k with no problems.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I change my oil every 10,000 km's. I have 150,000 km's an my truck right now. I have done 3 different oil analysis and all came back good. Even with a K&N air filter. Chevron Delo 400 15W40 in summer and Delo 400 5W40 in the winter with the stratapore filter.



If the owners manual says 10,000 km's that is good enough for this Donkey!

 

[RedRamer]

At 405k clics this one has been changed every +-5k clics since new with rotellaT no matter what and filter every other change. Last oil test came back super clean. Had a blow-by and compression test and dyno done at 375k clics and Cummins dealer said engine is like new with about 5% down on power.

50/50 city - highway driving and some 7k pulling every odd week-end in summer.

Wish wallywallmart sold that rotella here. $$$$$$

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by goober

At 405k clics this one has been changed every +-5k clics since new with rotellaT no matter what and filter every other change. Last oil test came back super clean. Had a blow-by and compression test and dyno done at 375k clics and Cummins dealer said engine is like new with about 5% down on power.

50/50 city - highway driving and some 7k pulling every odd week-end in summer.

Goober, this makes me feel even better about my maintance schle. Rotella T every 4-5K with new filter. I only have 45K on the truck and will be to old to drive by the time I get to 400K Could this be the last vehicle I will ever need to purchase???

 

[Don M]

There are a few members on the boards with over 400,000 in miles on the clock with Rotella T used throughout the life of the engine and changed regularly.



Don~

 

[RedRamer]

I figure this one is a keeper for another 400k.

All I have to do is keep the rust off. So far so good.

One problem spot starting is the metal crimp for the skin along the bottom of the rear quarter panel and I don't know what to use to stop it.

Business around here call Carsmetics did the whole truck for sratches and front lower dam for $125. 00 - Cheap like sunofagun and made it look new. Had undercoating done to all inside panels, rockers, everything - good stuff - ziebart like goo.

regards