Oil level

[markstiff]

I have a 2008 6.7 and I've always changed my oil and used 12qts and it always put me over full on the dipstick and I'm used to it. I now have 4k miles on the oil and it's now where it should be on the dipstick. My question is has anyone else noticed theirs reads over full for a while then over time settles to where it should be on the dipstick? I know it's odd to worry about the dipstick reading full but it usually reads over full and I'm not sure if it's burning it somehow to make it go down. I have no visual leaks and I have checked the turbo for play and it's fine. Also no odd smoke. Thanks for any help

 

[Cummins12V98]

You never get all the oil out of the 6.7. I usually add 11 2/3 quarts that puts it on the full mark. I would keep an eye on the level a little use won't hurt.

 

[markstiff]

So your thinking that if mine is reading full I have lost about 1/3 of a quart?

 

[Hoefler]

To change the oil on the 6.7, it needs to be fully warmed up to operating temp. Pull the drain plug, remove the fill plug, and remove the filter. Let drain a MINIMUM of 15 minutes! Then install your filter and new oil.

 

[markstiff]

I'm just more worried about the fact that it's gone down over time. Wonder if it's just settling and if anybody else noticed this

 

[Killgore]

I suspect that on my 5.9 I am siphoning a dab out of the filter.

- Ed

 

[markstiff]

Mine has read right at full the last couple times I've check it the past few weeks so it's staying constant. Just not sure why it's reading lower now than when I checked it when I changed it

 

[markstiff]

I can check it 1k miles after an oil change and it reads over full. Now I have 4K miles and it reads just full. I don't know if over time it settles or if I'm losing it somehow

 

[Killgore]

Mine uses about a quart every 7K, but with over 230K on the speedo, that's probably normal. I got in the habit of pulling a sample and sending it to Blackstone several years ago. As long as my oil analysis comes back normal, I'm not going to lose any sleep. They will all burn a little depending on how long between oil changes and how hard you push them.

- Ed

 

[markstiff]

Mine has 128k and I usually don't push it very hard. So do you think it's burning some or maybe wasn't giving a true read when I checked it before?

 

[markstiff]

And I usually do 5k mile oil changes

 

[mfurrh55]

Is your vehicle level when you check the oil and when you changed the oil?, can make a difference on the stick, my .02 is all, Monte

 

[markstiff]

Yes it should be level or the slab in my shop isn't then. I always check it in the same place with the motor cooled overnight

 

[mfurrh55]

Good deal, was just asking,I always chage mine and prefill the oil filters, and with my amsoil bypass filter mine takes justt under 3 1/2 gal. consistantly,i change it every 15,000 miles unless towing heavy and then i change it at 10,000 miles,it has always stayed on full between changes, on my other ram 2001 i changed it and i would put 3 gal. in it and it would be a little over full, but after a couple thousand miles it would always reg. on the full mark and stayed there till next oil change Monte

 

[markstiff]

Glad to hear your 01 kinda did the same thing. I don't know if when you pour oil in it if it drains down to the pan weird and you'll get a false read on your dipstick for a few thousand miles or what. Just kinda worried me when I checked it and expected to see it over the full mark and it was just at full. I just don't want it to be actually burning oil

 

[Killgore]

These things can drive you nutso if you let them. Believe me, I would rather be losing a little oil than making it.

- Ed

 

[markstiff]

I can believe that cause it sure is driving me nuts. Has me constantly checking the oil. Think I'm just gonna put 3 gallons in and not even check it anymore. I guess just rely on my oil pressure gauge

 

[markstiff]

Just hate to think it's actually burning oil

 

[Killgore]

It appears normal to me. Whenever I can't sleep at night I go out and crawl under my truck and see if it's oozing anything unusual. Sometimes I wonder if the PCV needs to be cleaned or replaced, but since I don't have one on my truck that appears to be asinine. Again, I'm just happy it's not making oil because I've been there and it was an expensive trip.

- Ed

 

[markstiff]

As long as I'm not the only one who's noticed this and it's seems normal I'll be happy and able to sleep better