Cat 3126E oil level
Did a search for an answer but got mixed info. Just had oil changed last week. Told them 19 quarts. Checked level today and it looks a quart or more over. Is it over filled, or just all the oil settin...
Forum Discussion
I would not go through a "fire drill" for a quart.
Remember, no engine manufacturer provides the engine oil dipstick-- that is speced and installed by the chassis maker. It could be accurate for the engine, but strongly suggest you CALIBRATE IT. It is free at the next oil change.
CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK
By Brett Wolfe
We continue to see questions about oil "consumption" and oil on radiators and toads on RV.net and other RV sites. It seems to be universal-- across all brands of diesel engines.
THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE IS AN OVERFILLED CRANKCASE. CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK TO ACHIEVE THE CORRECT OIL LEVEL IN THE PAN "FIXES" OVER 90% OF THESE PROBLEMS.
Step one if you "think" your DP has an oil consumption problem or you are seeing oil mist on your toad (or you just want to verify that yours is correct): CALIBRATE THE DIP STICK. Since the same engines/dip sticks are used in many different applications with different angles of installation, do not ASSUME that the dip stick is correctly marked.
Calibration costs $0. At the next oil change, drain oil, remove old filter (as usual).
Then install the drain plug and new oil filter and add the engine's correct oil capacity LESS THE NUMBER OF QUARTS you want between the "add" and "full" marks (let's say 2 quarts). So for a C7 with 19 quart capacity you would add 17 quarts. Run the engine a few minutes, shut off and wait until oil has descended into the pan (minimum 30 minutes). Pull the dip stick and use a file or dremel tool to mark the oil level "add". Add the remaining two quarts, let the oil settle in the pan, pull the dipstick and mark this the "full" mark.
In many/most cases, you will find that your engine "throws out" the access oil and then "consumption" settles down to next to nothing. Put in the correct amount and your "consumption" issues may go away.
This applies to all ages (including brand new) of motorhomes and boats with every brand of engine.
Remember, no engine manufacturer provides the engine oil dipstick-- that is speced and installed by the chassis maker. It could be accurate for the engine, but strongly suggest you CALIBRATE IT. It is free at the next oil change.
CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK
By Brett Wolfe
We continue to see questions about oil "consumption" and oil on radiators and toads on RV.net and other RV sites. It seems to be universal-- across all brands of diesel engines.
THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE IS AN OVERFILLED CRANKCASE. CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK TO ACHIEVE THE CORRECT OIL LEVEL IN THE PAN "FIXES" OVER 90% OF THESE PROBLEMS.
Step one if you "think" your DP has an oil consumption problem or you are seeing oil mist on your toad (or you just want to verify that yours is correct): CALIBRATE THE DIP STICK. Since the same engines/dip sticks are used in many different applications with different angles of installation, do not ASSUME that the dip stick is correctly marked.
Calibration costs $0. At the next oil change, drain oil, remove old filter (as usual).
Then install the drain plug and new oil filter and add the engine's correct oil capacity LESS THE NUMBER OF QUARTS you want between the "add" and "full" marks (let's say 2 quarts). So for a C7 with 19 quart capacity you would add 17 quarts. Run the engine a few minutes, shut off and wait until oil has descended into the pan (minimum 30 minutes). Pull the dip stick and use a file or dremel tool to mark the oil level "add". Add the remaining two quarts, let the oil settle in the pan, pull the dipstick and mark this the "full" mark.
In many/most cases, you will find that your engine "throws out" the access oil and then "consumption" settles down to next to nothing. Put in the correct amount and your "consumption" issues may go away.
This applies to all ages (including brand new) of motorhomes and boats with every brand of engine.
