Oil Dipstick reading

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When my truck was delivered the oil level was about a half-inch past the "safe" mark. After sometime, 2200 miles it went right to that mark (probably blow-by). The dealer just changed it and now it's a half-inch past the safe mark again.

Is this normal, or is it likely that it has been overfilled twice... once at the factory?

 

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Smokin. . thats what mind reads when i do an oil change with the correct amount... 1/2 over..... JB

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99 Quad,Long bed,4x4, SLT,Auto,K&N,Mobil Super Delvac 1300,fuel line up-grade from lift pump to filter and from filter to injection pump, Suncoast coverter,BD valve body and pressure-loc,Mag-Hytec trans pan,Amsoil ATF-4,Auto meter Ultra lite gauges:Boost,EGT,Fuel Pressure,Trans Temp, "true" Jet-Hot Coated 5 inch exhaust from turbo to tail pipe(over the axle)Borla shoot-out muffler,DD stage 3 injectors and boost module,HX-40 16cm,here and waiting to be installed, Next Jet-hot my ATS exhaust manifold and turbo housing, and special thanx to rob for swaying me on a 4 wire Blue Box(incoming)

 

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Thanks, Quad!

Are we thinking that all the oil isn't being drained and we are overfilling, or that the dipstick isn't calibrated worth a damn?

 

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I let my oil drain overnight. Put in 11 qts. with a filter change. After starting , driving, and then checking oil level at regular intervals, the oil level is about 1/4" or so above the full mark.

I had the original dipstick replaced with the correct one (TSB). So, when is the correct time to check the oil level? 3 to 5 minutes after shut down, or several hours?



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98. 5 4x4, CC, 5 spd.
3. 55 LSD, Jacobs E-Brake

 

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Whenever I do an oil and filter change, I use 10 quarts. I check the level on the dipstick after I've run it a few miles then let it set overnight. Level is about 2/3 the way between "Add" and "Full" which is a level I much prefer to run it at instead of risking overfilling. Certainly doesn't hurt one darned thing to have a little less oil than "Full. " Don't want to take a chance on oil aeriation although on our Cummins the oil level is probably safely well below the crankshaft even when a little overfilled.

Vaughn

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2001 Ram 2500 QC SWB 2wd, Patriot Blue/Driftwood, HO Cummins & 6-speed, 3. 54LSD, Cab & Fog lamps, Camper & Tow Pkg.
BOMBings: K&N RE0880, DD boost module, straight piped, debadged body, AutoMeter Sport Comp Boost & Pyro gauges, Amber turn signal conversion
Performance: 245rwHP on BD Dyno, 0-60@ 11. 5 sec 17/22 mpg city/hiway
11,014 miles (7/04/00)

 

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I am hoping that a 2001 would come with the "correct" dipstick... so that shouldn't be it. If it's a half inch above the full mark is it too full? What could happen? Should the dealer drain some?

Thanks,

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2001, 2500-155", QC, 4x4, ETH, 6-speed, Forest/Driftwood, color matched Rhino, first truck... delivered 3-24-00.

 

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I've never heard of the TSB for the oil dipstick. Will someone put a shortcut on here for more information. Thanks in advance.

Also, I haven't been able to figure out the proper way to view TSB's for my truck on this site. How does it work?

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, + a mpg increaser goodie. Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R (For Sale)
1990 Toyota Celica
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL (For sale)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GS (For sale)

 

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Dipstick TSB: http://www.ecpe. vt. edu/~dfritz/technical/tsb98/09_06_98. HTM

When you get to the TSB page, put your curser on the right hand of the address at the top of your browser, and then delete the characters going to the left, stopping after"tsb98". Then hit enter.

 

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Here is a better adress for Dave Fritz's Ram Page. http://dodgeram.com/

You can get there by going to the "TDR Links" section on the main TDR page. Then click your way through "TDR Member Pages", and then "Dave Fritz's Ram Page".

Mr. Fritz has done an exceptional job maintaining and refining this site. If you have a Dodge Ram question, the answer can probably be found at his site or one of its links.

 

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Gee did I get an answer??? Just wondering.

Thanks all.

Originally posted by Smokin:
I am hoping that a 2001 would come with the "correct" dipstick... so that shouldn't be it. If it's a half inch above the full mark is it too full? What could happen? Should the dealer drain some?

Thanks,

 

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The ISB engine oil capacity is 11qts. with filter. When changing oil and filter... fill it up to 11qts. !! There are dipsticks from the factory that are not calibrated correctly. . that does'nt mean you alter the oil capacity to make the dipstick happy!! When you change your oil and filter put in 11qts,... run the engine... check the dipstick and see where you're at. . that's you're FULL MARK!!

 

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What a piece of crap that dip stick is. Another DC engineering wonder. Mine is rivided together. Havent changed the oil yet but bet its wrong. My 92 was off 1/2 qt.

 

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The first thing I do when I get a new truck is to take a small triangular file and notch the dipstick at the "Full" and "Add" marks. It's much easier to see when you have trifocals. I don't know why I regularly check my oil since I'm on my 3rd Dodge/Cummins and none of them used a drop of oil--guess I drove too many 454 Chevys--drive 1k, add a quart or two.

I buy Delo 400 15W40 in gallon jugs by the case and when I change the oil, I dump in 3 gallons which puts the oil just a bit up over full. I've been doing this since my first Cummins and no problems. It's a PITA messing with the quart size containers.

Smokin, your dealer may have put in 3 gallons instead of the required 11 quarts for your oil to show a bit overfull on the dipstick.
Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, V-A CPC, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW

 

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Ahhhh, it's the dip-stick. I wondered... that thing looks like it was engineered by Micky Mouse himself... will keep the just fill it up concept in mind. Thanks all... .

 

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bombero
The dip stick is not a DC desigh it is a Cummins design. When I got my truck the dip stick was bent and was 2 pieces. Had the dealer order me a new one, it came in and it was different, 98. 5 and 99 style. There was no number for the new dip stick. So I called Cummins, they told me they were aware of some bending and were working on a new one and would send me one when they were built. I asked about the 2 piece design and they said that is the way the bigger engines dip sticks are 2 pieces. The only part of the dipstick that is DC design is the handle piece that says oil on it.

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"The Shadow" 2001 Dodge Ram SLT 2500 QC 5spd 3. 55lsd, Short Bed, Sport, Black, Camel/Tan Interior, Trailer tow package, Camper package, Infinity sound, VanAakan CPC, DD Boost Module and Elbow, Pacbrake. Towing a 27ft Dutchman 5th wheel w/slide.

Member Great Lakes TDR

NRA Member.

[This message has been edited by Don Marriott (edited 07-12-2000). ]