Forgive me for being an ignorant newbie, but I've got a question about my motorhome'S engine oil. The rig in question is a 2016 Thor ACE 30.1 (bought new in September, under 5,000 miles and 125 engine hours on it now,) but I don't think the answer is specific to any brand or line. It's built on a 18,000 lb gross Ford F-53 chassis but, again, I don't think the answer is going JG to depend on that. When I checked the oil last week, it was at the low end of the OK range for level, but I was stunned at how dirty it was. It's not due for an oil change yet "by the book" but I think I'm going to get one. It is that enough? Should I be concerned? Should I make haste to a Ford truck dealer?

If you really want to know what is going on...have the oil analyzed.Send off a sample to these guys......Blackstone Labs

I haven't seen chassis with hour meter.Hour meters are normally for the genset.No matter what mileage says get the oil anf filter changed.Some newer oils instantly turn black after very few miles.

I had the oil changed at 5000 miles on my new F53 chassis. New engine and just gave me piece of mind. On mine you can get a total engine hours readout by pressing the Info button.

I like changing the oil after the break-in period, because that's is the most likely time to encounter shavings and such. Then, 3k after that, and then follow the manual from there on out, except I like using full synthetic. Oil is a lot cheaper than a new engine.

Is this your first diesel? If so, you need to know that diesel motor oil turns black in a matter of days, if not hours after an oil change from the soot left from combustion. If you are expecting a pretty amber color on the dipstick everytime you check the level you are gonna be changing your oil on a weekly basis.....

Newish motorhome, very dirty oil | Good Sam Community

Trackrig
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2017
The simple thing to do is like I'll do with another track rig I'm acquiring. What I'll do is change the oil twice. After the first change I'll run it for about an hour and then change oil and filter again. After that I'll watch it to see what the oil does. If I have concerns, I'll get it tested. Oil and filters are cheap way to fix any concerns.

Bill
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2017
At 5k miles it's time for an oil change. Change it every 5k. I do my V-10 Excursion every 4K miles with mobil1.
gbopp
Explorer
Feb 06, 2017
Change the oil, it's cheap insurance.
If in doubt, have it analyzed.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2017
Did the original owner change the break-in oil after the mileage indicated, or is that the original oil?
True_temper
Explorer
Feb 07, 2017
That motor probably still has the break in oil in it. Sounds like it's been abused. Start figuring out what it's going to take to get a new engine. My guess it's on it's way out.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2017
There is no such thing as break in oil. but most people will tell you to do the first oil change early to get out any impurities, which cant hurt to do. fact is all newer motors are so well built that there is no machining impurities in it. change the oil and continue with scheduled oil changes. if you don`t drive it much once a year is sufficient. change it when it goes into storage and it will be ready to go in the spring!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 07, 2017
True temper wrote:
That motor probably still has the break in oil in it. Sounds like it's been abused. Start figuring out what it's going to take to get a new engine. My guess it's on it's way out.

If dirty looking oil meant the engine was toast, I'd lose several engines a year. Idk how one can qualify a statement like this^.
My sno bike oil looks like a dirty milkshake and smells like race gas after every ride, nature of the beast. (Although I'm working on an engine cover to keep temps up and reduce over fueling more)
My boat oil looks worse after 30-40 hours than the car at 5000mi. It is and will continue to run fine.
Truck (diesel) is black before you can blink.

To the OP, change the oil and don't worry about it. Besides, it's under warranty anyway, right?
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 07, 2017
Look at the Ford owner's manual.
My GM product to service at a more frequent interval under severe use. My rig is close to gross weight, so I change according to the chart for severe duty.
This should include all portions of the drive train, engine, transmission and differential.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2017
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
You can't tell by looking at oil what kind of shape it's in. Just because it's black does not mean it's bad. Just because it amber does not mean it's good. The ONLY way to tell what kind of shape the oil is in is with an oil analysis.

TRUE !

Black oil means it is doing its job.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2017
True temper wrote:
That motor probably still has the break in oil in it. Sounds like it's been abused. Start figuring out what it's going to take to get a new engine. My guess it's on it's way out.
There is no break in oil anymore and at only 5000 miles on the engine its just now due an oil change. No need to scare the OP with false info.

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Newish motorhome, very dirty oil

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