Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) oil

[Tractorat]

I just turned over 102k miles on my 02. I have always used delo oil, and always have changed it between 3k and 3. 5k miles (usually closer to 3k)

I dont remember how black the oil would turn when new. But at least for the last several oil changes, the oil really hasnt gotten all that black when I had it changed. In fact, the guy that changed it for me last time said it was probably too early to change the oil. (maybe the delo 400LE doesnt get as black as the old stuff, I dont know). In fact, this last time, the oil actually looked pretty clean.

Anyway, on my last oil change I decided to start using Red Line Synthetic. I recently got back from about a 2500 mile road trip pulling my tt, and now have just over 3k since the last oil change.

The oil is pretty black. Does synthetic tend to make the oil blacker that deno oil ? Or does it possibly clean everything out better than the dino oil and thus leave it in the oil ?

My plan is to extend my interval out to 4k or 4. 5k miles. Just a little concerned about how black the oil seems to be so early on within the interval.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The black is suspended soot. If the oil doesn't get black, either it isn't suspending soot as well, or less soot is being produced.

 

[Tractorat]

Thank, just wondered why it would turn blacker so much faster. Maybe because the syth oil just does so much a better job (?)

 

[SAndreasen]

I usually run my oil for 10,000 miles I do oil analysis regurally and have never seen a bad sample yet . Using John Deere plus 50 2 oil

 

[TboneMan]

This topic has been discussed many times over the year. I too am in the 10,000 miles between oil changes club and have been for the last 160,000 miles (a total of 245,000 miles on the truck). Doing an analysis at each changes reveals oil that technically is still ok to keep using. You need to be comfortable with the interval you're using, but changing every 3000 is a huge was of money in my opinion.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the engine is modified and produces a lot of soot, 3000 mile change intervals might be warranted. Otherwise, if driven at lower power or such that less soot is formed, longer intervals are fine.

 

[Tractorat]

You need to be comfortable with the interval you're using, but changing every 3000 is a huge was of money in my opinion.

For me, this can equate to sometimes 6 to 8 months between oil changes. For the cost of the truck, not really all that much money.

If the engine is modified and produces a lot of soot, 3000 mile change intervals might be warranted. Otherwise, if driven at lower power or such that less soot is formed, longer intervals are fine.

The only mod on this truck is the edge ez box. I don't drive it hard, except maybe when going up mountain passes pulling the 4k lb tt.

Back to my original question (which has NOT been discussed at length, at least that I have ever seen). It seems like the oil is blacker much sooner on the synth oil than it has been when using the delo 400 (which I have been using since day one). It is my plan to go to 3500 or 4k miles on this oil change, and then have an oil analysis. If it looks good, I will probably let it go to 5K before I change the oil

BTW, as far as change intervals go, the manual says to change at around 3700 miles when towing (the majority of my driving). 02 is new enough that the car mfgs were already fudging the oil change intervals to lower what they say is the cost of ownership. The mfg philosophy is the truck will last thru warranty, and be fine for around 100k miles. My philosophy is it is my truck, not theirs. I bought this thing to last much more than 100k miles. Oil changes are cheap.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If this is your first synthetic oil you have used I would go 5000 and change it, since it's doing a better job of cleaning your engine. Then after that go at least 10,000 miles. I run my Amsoil 15,000 and samples come back great. I change the oil filter once at 8000 miles then oil & filter at 15k. I don't run a byoass system, just a Fleetguard Stratapore filter. I used to always go 20k on changes but backed it off since I do quite a lot of short trips and because we can have rather hot summers sometimes close to 110 degrees.

 

[RonaldLarson]

Congrats on your syn oil decision. Next oil change, run a can of Amsoil engine cleaner through your engine. Follow the directions precisely. Then change filter and oil. You will be amazed at how clean it runs for quite a while. I use Valvoline 5-40 synthetic and genuine Cummins filters.
I feel that if your dipstick stays clean for a long period, your oil is not cleaning the engine well. Some dino oils deposit crud, some carry it in itself.

 

[SAndreasen]

If your going 6 to 8 months with that low of miles I think I would go to once a year intervals . But its your money and your right oil is cheap comparatively.

 

[JR]

I feel that if your dipstick stays clean for a long period, your oil is not cleaning the engine well. Some dino oils deposit crud, some carry it in itself.

It really depends on your engines mileage, usage, condition of injectors, pump, etc. A tight 12 valve/ early 24 valve engine and fuel system will barely soot the oil. My 98 with barely 100k miles (the first 65k VERY pampered) has a dark honey colored oil after 7500 miles.

 

[Grizzly]

I just turned over 102k miles on my 02. I have always used delo oil, and always have changed it between 3k and 3. 5k miles (usually closer to 3k)



I dont remember how black the oil would turn when new. But at least for the last several oil changes, the oil really hasnt gotten all that black when I had it changed. In fact, the guy that changed it for me last time said it was probably too early to change the oil. (maybe the delo 400LE doesnt get as black as the old stuff, I dont know). In fact, this last time, the oil actually looked pretty clean.



Anyway, on my last oil change I decided to start using Red Line Synthetic. I recently got back from about a 2500 mile road trip pulling my tt, and now have just over 3k since the last oil change.



The oil is pretty black. Does synthetic tend to make the oil blacker that deno oil ? Or does it possibly clean everything out better than the dino oil and thus leave it in the oil ?



My plan is to extend my interval out to 4k or 4. 5k miles. Just a little concerned about how black the oil seems to be so early on within the interval.

3K mile oil changes is what Zip Lube and such oil changing sharks promote because they want to sell more oil changes, whether you need it or not. Go by what your owner's manual recommend or by an oil analyses.



george

 

[Tractorat]

3K mile oil changes is what Zip Lube and such oil changing sharks promote because they want to sell more oil changes, whether you need it or not. Go by what your owner's manual recommend or by an oil analyses.

I think the manual says for towing, every 3700 miles or every 6 months. Between those two factors, Im probably right about in there.

But, once again. The questions is - does synthetic turn blacker faster than dino ? Or does it just do a better job at cleaning things out ? I was not asking about oil change intervals.

 

[RonaldLarson]

Delo LE is a low sulphur oil. LE means "Low emissions" In my opinion, it, nor any other LE oil cleans as well as the older normal oils. The beauty of synthetics is the additive count for cleaning and friction. Like I said earlier, run a can of Amsoil engine cleaner through you engine before you change oil again. New synthetic and new filter and all is well. Amsoil recommends their cleaner before changing to synthetic oils.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks RonaldLarson, that answers my question and satisfies my curiosity.