Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Dipstick problem

[charlessmith]

Are there different engine oil dipsticks for different years and engines?



I've only had my '96 a short time. When I changed the oil and filter, putting in 11 quarts of oil - the level on the dipstick reads about 3 quarts over full.



My '97 and the '96 have the same length dipsticks, and the full & add oil marks are the same for both dip sticks. The '97 dip stick reads the '97s level correctly.



What's going on here?

 

[Shadrach]

The part # is on the blade of the stick. Check with your local Cummins Distributer or Dealer. Give them your engine serial # and they will tell you if you have the correct one. Or give it to me and I will have it checked for you. Shadrach

 

[hsmith]

Sounds like the tube is too short.

 

[Shadrach]

The dipstick is the same from 94-96. 97 + has yellow lettering on it otherwise is the same length. The tube is the same for 94-98 12v. Shadrach

 

[charlessmith]

Well, I got the dipstick part number and engine number and wandered into the Dealer's part's department.



The dealer only wanted the VIN. Had that. The parts guy came up with a totally different part number for the '96. I ordered it, at $58 counting tax. $&#%@



Here's my collection of numbers:



Current dipstick # ... ..... Dodge part #

'96 3928740 * ... ... ... ... 4796874

'97 3923128 ... ... ... ... ... 4883345



* the current '96 dipstick shows oil 3 1/2" higher than the full mark with a new empty filter and 11 quarts of oil.



The dipstick measurements are:

3 1/4" from end to add-oil line

4 7/16" from end to full line



7 15/16" from end to "oil stops point", on both sides of dipstick



45 3/4" from end to collar near handle of dipstick. The last 1/2" of the dipstick tube slides into this collar.



My '97 dipstick has a black T handle with yellow lettering, the '96 dipstick has different white lettering. Both dipsticks measure the same as above.



My '97 dipstick tube fastens to the top of the air manifold, the '96 dipstick tube fastens to the bottom front of the air manifold. This should be essentially the same point length-wise.



Anybody got any ideas on this?

 

[Shadrach]

For comparison check out the price at the Cummins Distributor ( Cummins Bridgeway in Hillard ). They usually are less money, except sometimes on rebuilt parts. Shadrach

 

[hsmith]

Not sure, unless some jerk shortened the tube. Mine with 12 quarts at OC is right on full. Still there at 5k OC.

 

[charlessmith]

Back to ground zero.

The new dipstick I'd ordered came in today:

Current dipstick # ... ..... Dodge part #
'96 3928740 * ... ... ... ... ... 4796874

It turns out the Dodge part had the same number stamped on it "3928740" as the one in the truck.

Mutter, mutter, ...

 

[Shadrach]

That's because Dodge gets all their Cummins parts direct from Cummins. They just assign their own p/n to it. Shadrach

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Back to ground zero.



The new dipstick I'd ordered came in today:



Current dipstick # ... ..... Dodge part #

'96 3928740 * ... ... ... ... ... 4796874



It turns out the Dodge part had the same number stamped on it "3928740" as the one in the truck.



Mutter, mutter, ...

You're the first person that I have ever heard of having this problem just go buy it straight from cummins and eliminate the middle man

 

[hsmith]

Pour the correct amount in and put you a new full mark on the stick.

 

[JoshKelly]

the current '96 dipstick shows oil 3 1/2" higher than the full mark with a new empty filter and 11 quarts of oil.

empty filter?

 

[charlessmith]

This was the first oil change on a newly acquired truck. It's the 5th Cummins TD I've had.

It was 11 quarts including the amount to fill the oil filter. Usually, it took 11 3/4 quarts to get to the full mark on other trucks.

For the next oil change, I think I'll go to the Cummins shop and get them to figure out what's going on.

 

[WDimig]

do this for me, get me you engine serial number, i can look up the oil pan part #, and tell you the low and high capacites. the pan is more than likely the same one that is on a 97'. i know for a 97' 180 oil pan, part #3925772, the low capacity is 8 qts. , and the high capacity is 10 qts. you can take a small grinder, and grind off the marks on your current dip stick, add the correct amount of oil for low capacity, mark the stick, and then add the remaining 2 qts. , and mark your high capacity. i do this all the time at the shop, you should have no issues, and you will save money by using the dip stick you alreay have. good luck with your problem.



wes



edit: i would not take it to cummins for an oil change, an oil change there can be pretty expensive, like over $120 bucks, and even more if they recalibrate your dipstick, you can do this yourself, and save alot of money.

 

[GAmes]

Are you sure you drained all the oil out of it? Perhaps something is in the pan that blocked the drain hole.

 

[charlessmith]

do this for me, get me you engine serial number, i can look up the oil pan part #, and tell you the low and high capacites. the pan is more than likely the same one that is on a 97'. i know for a 97' 180 oil pan, part #3925772, the low capacity is 8 qts. , and the high capacity is 10 qts. you can take a small grinder, and grind off the marks on your current dip stick, add the correct amount of oil for low capacity, mark the stick, and then add the remaining 2 qts. , and mark your high capacity. i do this all the time at the shop, you should have no issues, and you will save money by using the dip stick you alreay have. good luck with your problem.



wes



edit: i would not take it to cummins for an oil change, an oil change there can be pretty expensive, like over $120 bucks, and even more if they recalibrate your dipstick, you can do this yourself, and save alot of money.

The engine serial number is 56253817. And thanks for the tip that taking it to Cummins will be too expensive. That makes sense.

 

[WDimig]

according to your ESN, the pan part #'s are the same, soo use the high and low capacity numbers that i posted, they will be right, and your fillter will take about 2 qt's.



wes