Oil rising in 3500 Ram 2013

[Kaysrug]

I have a 3500 Ram. The oil keeps rising on the stick. I have taken it into the Dealer and they indicated no Diesel in the oil and it was a normal check for them.
When I got home, the oil was up again. I should have had them check oil after engine was running but did not.

Is anyone else having this problem. They have checked the injectors and turbo and said all is well.

Thanks for your help

 

[Kirwin]

How many miles, what truck, fill out your signature line so we can help you!

 

[Kaysrug]

47,000 Ram 3500 where do I go to fill in signature line?

 

[Kirwin]

So the level should not rise. Is you coolant level normal? Have you had to add coolant to the truck lately? Has anything been done under the valve cover? Injector replacement? Other fuel system work? Have you allowed the truck to sit over night and then checked the oil? I always try to check the oil in the exact same physical location so you can compare levels under the same conditions. How much is level rising? After I change my oil, the level on the dipstick is about 3/16" above the full line on my dipstick after I add 3 gallons. I consider this normal for me. Once you know what your level is after a known quantity of oil was added you can start tracking it daily. If the level jumps more than 1/2 inch you have a real problem.

 

[tony1461571]

To your profile.

 

[Kaysrug]

Just got truck back from dealer yesterday. Everything was checked. No problem was found. They said there is no diesel in the oil. No anything else.
All other levels are fine. Check on level ground. Have read where some don't put quarts in but 11.5.

 

[Hoefler]

You must let the truck set for at least 15 minutes after shut down when fully up to operating temp before checking. Best time to check it, is when cold after setting over night.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Who changed your oil????

I let mine drain overnight if possible or at least 2-3 hours. Even doing that I only add 11 5/8 quarts to be at the full mark. If anyone puts in 12 quarts you will be overfull.

 

[zetatre]

Also note that some oil slowly drains back from the filter and some of the galleys too. So if you check 30 minutes after shutdown or several hours after shutdown you may get different reads. I know this because I normally change the oil on Saturday morning after the truck has sat overnight and the oil filter is always about 3/4 full or less.

Regarding fuel contamination: how did the dealer check? Did they get the oil analyzed? If so how? There's two way to test fuel dilution: one is indirect and based on flashpoint. A more accurate methodology is gas chromatography which is normally used to confirm what inferred by flashpoint analysis. To be able to categorically exclude fuel dilution you should ensure a gas chromatography analysis has been performed.

 

[kcpolk]

I add about 11-1/2 qts when changing oil. If I check my 2012's oil level right after engine shut down.... the level will read in the "SAFE" range.... let it sit for 10-15 minutes and check it again the dip stick shows overfull. I too have noticed the oil filter is only about half-full when removed after sitting. Even tho the oil filter sits vertical on our engines, somehow oil siphons out and back into the pan. The dealer and owners manual say to check the oil 20 minutes after shut down (kinda silly..... what if you're on the road and want to check oil at a fuel stop? Gotta wait? Dumb!). Anyway, if I want the dip stick to read in the SAFE range after waiting 20 minutes or more after shut down, I would have to put less than 11 qts in at oil change time. I don't do this. I just check oil and be sure it's in the mid to lower part of the SAFE range right after shut down. I don't worry too much about it being slightly overfull if I check the level after sitting. It did bother me when I first bought the truck. I have a Moto-Valve instead of an oil drain plug.... if I really want I can easily reduce the oil level in precise amounts.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine is right on the FULL line when COLD with 11 5/8 quarts added. On LEVEL ground.

 

[dougsram]

My 2011 manual states says there is a two quart range between the low and high mark on the dipstick and not to add oil if it is above the add mark. My first oil change using twelve quarts immediately put the oil level slightly above the full mark. Now I only use 11 quarts which brings the level just past the E in safe. To get consistent readings, I remove the dipstick and let the truck sit overnight in the same spot in my garage. During my first year of ownership, I also thought I was experiencing increasing oil levels. An oil sample test from Wix (Amazon) revealed zero fuel dilution after 3K miles on the oil. I emailed back the tech that performed my analysis and asked if there was any issues with the CTD 6.7L making oil. He stated that he only had one sample over the past year that had an issue and it was below the 5% range that Cummins says is within specs.

 

[Kaysrug]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Feeling relieved knowing I am not the only one with this issue. Will put in less oil and check as you have advised.

 

[AH64ID]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Feeling relieved knowing I am not the only one with this issue. Will put in less oil and check as you have advised.

I am not sure there is an issue.

Check it the same way everytime if you feel the level is changing. i.e. same parking spot after sitting overnight.

Just the temperature change alone, from cold to operating temp, can make the dipstick level change 25% of the cross hatch.



The total capacity of the engine is 12 quarts but with the residual oil, mainly the head and oil cooler, it won't take a full 12qts to get back to full. You would be surprised how many Cummins owners just dump 3 gallons of oil in and then tell everyone the dipstick has an error