Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) When do I need to sample my oil?

[jtisdale]

I run Rotella T 15w40 non-synthetic and change it at every 5000 miles. I am coming up on 15,000 miles. I have been using a Mopar oil filter, but I am changing to Fleetguard Stratapore this time. The last 10,000 have seen a amsoil air filter, and now, I will be changing to a Mega Cannon. When would you recommend sampling, every change, every other, every third? I already have the sample kit from Genos, but I need to know the protocol.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Jim

 

[Riflesmith]

Rotella every 5,000 miles is certainly a sound way to go. I see no need to do periodic oil analysis if this is your plan. By all means sample and analyze if you are curious, but Rotella is in no real danger of being near dangerous breakdown levels at 5,000 mile change intervals.



Analyzing your oil before you switch to the AFE filter would allow you to analyze again after running the AFE filter. Comparing resulting silicon numbers would allow you to determine which filter is better.



If, after reading this, periodic sampling is still important to you, I would recommend every 15,000 miles.

 

[klenger]

I think that oil analysis is used mostly by those who are using synthetic oil on an extended change interval. The analysis is used to alert them to any unusual contamination since the oil stays in so long.



Please note that my comments do not endorse or condem the use of synthetic oil or extended change intervals.

 

[Bigsaint]

If you can afford to spend the $$$ to check the oil, I say do it every time you change for a great baseline. It's way beyond overkill to sample every oil change unless you think you might have a problem,but it's intertesting to watch the numbers drop as your engine breaks in.



Scott W.

 

[HC]

I'd check once after switching to a new type of air filter; and once after putting in new injectors (just to check tightness of fittings). And maybe once if you're driving short trips in the winter; just to make sure you don't need to go to shorter intervals. But in general, I wouldn't check it that often if going with 5k changes - checking it at all would be more than most do.



All JMO.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I am running Synthetic but now changing on a 10k mile basis. I sampled once 6k into the cycle but it took 2 weeks to get the results and they were all normal. Ill try it again maybe next time.