I have a Cat C7. How much oil should it use in a year? Should I never add oil between the yearly changes or is it normal to add oil? When should I worry?I just had to add 2 quarts - the last oil change was June 2013. I have never had to add oil before.

I had my C7 for six years. Normally put about 5K/yr on it and changed the oil every winterization. Not once did I ever put more oil in it during the year.Ron

How many miles since your last oil change. You mention a date, but not how many miles you have driven.By far, the #1 cause of oil "consumption" is overfilling the crankcase.Your chassis maker, not engine maker fit the dipstick. Do not assume it is necessarily accurate. It would not hurt to CALIBRATE IT-- free at your next oil change.Also, have you confirmed the correct oil quantity with Caterpillar-- give them a call with your engine serial number: 877 777-3126.Lastly, with any diesel engine, do not add oil until the oil level gets to the ADD mark (yes, on a calibrated dip stick).I know this sounds complicated, but with engine maker doing some things and chassis maker doing others (like the oil dip stick) that is how it is.

I have put about 4K on it since the last oil change. The oil was just at the add line and I filled it until it was at the full line.

I have a 2005 Fleetwood Excursion with a C7. That engine used at least two if not three different oil pans. If there was lots of clearance under it, I believe they installed a 23 quart oil pan. Mine has the shallow oil pan and only uses 19 quarts. When I climbed under mine, either the oil pan had a sticker on it saying the capacity or it had a P/N and I called Cat. If you put in too much oil for the oil pan, you're going to "use" a lot more blowing it out the breather.The engine will "use" some of it in the vapor it puts out through the breather tube. I've been told it will "use" more oil with extensive use of the engine brake. I've noticed more oil residue on the front of my Jeep when in the mountains in western Canada.Brett Wolfe - what is your take on what I've been told?Between my yearly oil changes, 6 - 8,000 miles, I been using 2 - 3 quarts.Crawl underneath it and see if the oil pan has a sticker on it, then call Cat.Bill

Good information. I use the engine brake a lot going over the mountains here out west.

"Normal" Oil Usage | Good Sam Community

ncrowley
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2014
I have put about 4K on it since the last oil change. The oil was just at the add line and I filled it until it was at the full line.
wolfe10
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
How many miles since your last oil change. You mention a date, but not how many miles you have driven.

By far, the #1 cause of oil "consumption" is overfilling the crankcase.

Your chassis maker, not engine maker fit the dipstick. Do not assume it is necessarily accurate. It would not hurt to CALIBRATE IT-- free at your next oil change.

Also, have you confirmed the correct oil quantity with Caterpillar-- give them a call with your engine serial number: 877 777-3126.

Lastly, with any diesel engine, do not add oil until the oil level gets to the ADD mark (yes, on a calibrated dip stick).

I know this sounds complicated, but with engine maker doing some things and chassis maker doing others (like the oil dip stick) that is how it is.
lanerd
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
I had my C7 for six years. Normally put about 5K/yr on it and changed the oil every winterization. Not once did I ever put more oil in it during the year.

Ron

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