This is NOT another thread about gas vs. diesel. This is a new diesel owner with some questions.1st, just purchased 2013 Ram Crew Cab long bed with 6.7 Cummins diesel engine.My history, I have been driving gas 1500 Ram 4 doors short beds for 20 years. They were the family SUV's if you will.Now that I'm going FT RV with a new 5th wheel, diesel was the way to go (heck it's even cheaper than regular gas now, so the only way to go in my mind)This is the 1st diesel truck I have ever owned and I have been Googling like crazy to find out everything I can about maintenance and upkeep for the engine. Seems like every article out there was put out by someone who's product is better than anyone else's so I should buy it.I really would just like to know...what fuel additive(s) and how often? What is the life span for the injectors? I know diesels don't have spark plugs (used to refer to them as glow plugs for the 18 wheelers, is it still the same?)Owners manual really is worthless except for basic "idiot" items, of which when it comes to diesel engines I guess I am one. I didn't even know about DEF until I noticed 2 "fuel" gauges on the dash (yah, laugh, I can now without shame :o )Anyway, I just want to make sure that I have an understanding of how to keep this is the best shape for normal driving/towing so it will last a long time. I can follow the manufacturer recommendations for scheduled maintenance, but want to be treating the best in between. Anyway TIA for anyone that takes the time, all opinions are valid

Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.

I don't use any additives, except for whatever the stations use to make winter blend fuel in the cold months if that counts. With the amount of miles I drive, oil filters are changed every 6 months and fuel filters once a year. Draining and flushing other fluids will be per the maintenance schedule in the manual. Beyond that there's not much too it except for the normal stuff like replacing tires and batteries and such.I'm not sure what you're getting at with your question about spark plugs and glow plugs. Your Cummins has neither, though - it uses a grid heater instead of glow plugs. Your injectors should last a long time. Really the word so far on the current 6.7 is that Cummins got it pretty well dialed in, and the reworked emissions with the addition of DEF really helped fix some of the issues people were having with the previous 6.7 - better mileage, fewer regens, no EGR clogging, etc. And it still uses the old style CP3 injection pump which is both less prone to failure than the CP4 and when it does fail you simply swap in a new pump and you're done. Congrats on the truck. You'll love the way it drives and pulls.

Just stick with the manual.Put.Down.Google.Or you'll drive yourself nuts with bogus conflicting advice.Good luck and enjoy the truck. Most people I know get around 150k on injectors.

The manual isn't, "worthless," and just for, "idiot items."Follow it for scheduled maintenance.I'm agree with others..forget about 'mouse milk' additives, especially in a newer diesel like you have. You have a really great truck..drive it and enjoy what it can do while pulling your trailer.

2003silverado wrote:Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.Ditto, water is a diesels enemy that's why you should use high volume stations. Diesel absorbs water when it sits in the stations tank. Drain your water filter as per your manual.

Diesel engines. | Good Sam Community

50 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2016
"I love it when you spin the story between your '15 model and your '98 model to whichever plays the tune to your favor"

What did I do to "SPIN" the story as you claim? I just gave an example on my 98.

So for equal time "NO SPIN" here is a pic of my 11 HO Dually that had 3.42 gears with 65K at pic time and over 50K on the AMZ/OIL Severe Gear 75-110 towing a combined 29K for over 1/2 of those miles. Matching marks are still visible on the ring gear teeth. The AMZ/OIL ATF had similar miles on it.

Fish let's tell the whole story! Since it seems hard for you here it is.

SERVICE LIFE
AMSOIL Premium CJ-4 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is recommended for extended drain intervals in engines that are unmodified and in good operating condition.

Diesel Engine Service

Three times (3X) OEM* recommendation, not to exceed 50,000 miles/600 hours or one year, whichever comes first. Drain intervals may be extended further with oil analysis.
2007-2009 Caterpillar C13 and C15 on-highway engines must follow OEM-recommended drain interval.
2007-Present Dodge, Ford and GM LMM light-duty diesel pickups must follow OEM-recommended drain interval. Drain intervals may be extended with oil analysis.
Gasoline Engine Service

Two times (2X) OEM* recommendation, not to exceed 15,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
*Operating conditions and drain intervals for normal and severe service are defined by the OEM. Refer to your owner’s manual.

Note: Extended drain intervals are not recommended when using biofuels containing >10% ethanol or 5% biodiesel (B5). Follow OEM drain intervals or extend drain intervals with oil analysis.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Apr 18, 2016
Dano1955 wrote:
Anyone have a take on the Mobile Delvac 15w-40?

Its a great oil... It was one of the first with the tri-nuclear moly. XOM produces some of the best oil's/additives money can buy.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Apr 18, 2016
Well you got a point Fish. Guess I never really read the 3x as long marketing.....or didn't pay attention if I saw it because I'd never wait 25-30kmi to change my oil, lol. Just saying it works fine in the apps I've used it, including 75-100k drain intervals on differentials. Oil held viscosity well it appeared. Looked good to the eye when drained.
Dano1955
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Anyone have a take on the Mobile Delvac 15w-40?
Dano1955
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Golden_HVAC wrote:

Did you buy a 2500 pickup or 3500 truck? It looks like you have a substantial trailer, and would need the 3500 truck to avoid overloading the tires found on the lighter duty 2500 pickups.

Have fun camping!

Fred/

Fred, yes 2013 2500 Ram SLT 6.7. The 5th is Crusader Lite, 10500 GVW, 1700 pin, so there should be room for plenty of necessities both on board and in the truck bed with the 2500.

Just me and Jasper (profile pic) in that big crew cab. Good to go.
Hannibal
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
I used Valvoline Premium Blue 15w-40 in my four Cummins Rams. It's Cummins' recipe contracted and brewed by Valvoline. Used to be contracted and brewed by Castrol back when TDR didn't exist and we had a Cummins owners' email list. I still have the first issue of TDR. My four Cummins engines stayed clean inside with Valvoline PB. There is none better for the Cummins with it's sliding cam followers. Fleetguard filters for oil, fuel and air as well.
Do not fall for gimmicks and snake oils. The cool sticker for your window isn't worth it. Your owner's manual is gospel. Follow it to the letter.

Valvoline Premium Blue
Charlie_D_
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Golden_HVAC wrote:
Did you buy a 2500 pickup or 3500 truck? It looks like you have a substantial trailer, and would need the 3500 truck to avoid overloading the tires found on the lighter duty 2500 pickups.

Have fun camping!

Fred/

A 2500 is more than enough truck for that single slide camper.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Apr 18, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
HMMM, let's see FISH sure knows a lot about AMZ/OIL and CUMMINS.

AMZ/OIL basically started this trend to Synthetics back in the early 70's. You may not like their "pyramid" sales platform but they do sell QUALITY highly recommended and tested products. Talk to anyone in the Snowmobile industry just for one. When Blackstone Labs says keep running my 15-40 Diesel Marine Oil with 10K on it for at least another 3K THEY have no idea what they are talking about right? The TBN had plenty of life. Just running the FleetGuard Stratapore filter and NO BiPass filter. This was in my 98 12V Cummins.

cummins,
I love it when you spin the story between your '15 model and your '98 model to whichever plays the tune to your favor.

But lets play the latest Scamzoil challenge and run it 3x the normal oil change interval in your current 6.7 emissions equipped engine that will put diesel fuel into the crankcase during regens. That should mean you can run their oil to a 45k mile oil change interval.

Scamzoil... You know the name! :W

BTW... I've seen plenty of Blackstone reports for both Synthetic and Conventional diesel oils that they state you can push the OCI out since there's plenty of TBN left.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 17, 2016
HMMM, let's see FISH sure knows a lot about AMZ/OIL and CUMMINS.

AMZ/OIL basically started this trend to Synthetics back in the early 70's. You may not like their "pyramid" sales platform but they do sell QUALITY highly recommended and tested products. Talk to anyone in the Snowmobile industry just for one. When Blackstone Labs says keep running my 15-40 Diesel Marine Oil with 10K on it for at least another 3K THEY have no idea what they are talking about right? The TBN had plenty of life. Just running the FleetGuard Stratapore filter and NO BiPass filter. This was in my 98 12V Cummins.
Dano1955
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
OK, I get it.

Question about diesel engine = CAN-O'-WORMS

:B