Question for 6.7 CTD owners RE: Adding Oil

rjxj wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Just a few degrees off of center side to side will make a big difference on the stick.

Exactly, and my original question wasn't answered. The oil should be checked cold with the vehicle level because so much oil drains back into the pan. Check the oil when cold then drive it and shut it off and check it again and see how low it is. A good amount of oil will drain back to the pan.

Of all the engines I have ever checked the oil level on this one seems very susceptible to being off level. I checked mine yesterday with the truck sitting just a little low in back and the level was just below full. I then ran it 5 min or so and rechecked and it was closer to the bottom of the stick.

A friend brought his truck over yesterday to change a fuel filter and parked it a little nose low. I checked it and it was a little below full. I checked it before he left and it was over full above the plastic part of the stick.

This ^^^^. I too thought my truck was using oil until I checked it on different ground and the oil was still at the full mark. My truck has quite a rake on it with no weight in the rear and that combined with slightly unlevel ground make a BIG difference in the level on the stick. I have also found that the truck needs to sit a minimum of 30 minutes after being shut off before checking. I don't worry about it anymore after seeing this.

Ron3rd wrote:

fulltimedaniel wrote:
I would find this oil usage unusual for this engine. I have towed with mine from day one of purchase. I purchased it on the road. I have traveled more than 20 thousand miles since buying it in April. virtually most of it towing my 33 footer, including to Alaska.

In all of that time it has never used a drop of oil that I can detect. I did my first oil change at about at 13,600 miles a bit earlier than the 15000 called for.

I would definitely take this to a dealer and get the situation documented. ie have them look at it check for leaks and then put in writing they say this oil use is normal.

Good luck

Actually, I'm not sure it's used any oil and what I've learned is the oil level will vary greatly depending on how long the truck's been sitting. Check the oil when you first shut the engine off and you'll get one reading. Come back in about 1/2 an hour and will be quite a bit higher, so it does drain down a fair amount.

Yes this is true this is why I check my oil before I start it in the Am. I just never feel the need to check it during the day while traveling as it never changes.

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My diesel supplement states to measure the oil level 30 minutes after running the vehicle up to operating temperatures. See my sig for what vehicle. That's when I check the oil.

fulltimedaniel wrote:
I would find this oil usage unusual for this engine. I have towed with mine from day one of purchase. I purchased it on the road. I have traveled more than 20 thousand miles since buying it in April. virtually most of it towing my 33 footer, including to Alaska.

In all of that time it has never used a drop of oil that I can detect. I did my first oil change at about at 13,600 miles a bit earlier than the 15000 called for.

I would definitely take this to a dealer and get the situation documented. ie have them look at it check for leaks and then put in writing they say this oil use is normal.

Good luck

Actually, I'm not sure it's used any oil and what I've learned is the oil level will vary greatly depending on how long the truck's been sitting. Check the oil when you first shut the engine off and you'll get one reading. Come back in about 1/2 an hour and will be quite a bit higher, so it does drain down a fair amount.

I would find this oil usage unusual for this engine. I have towed with mine from day one of purchase. I purchased it on the road. I have traveled more than 20 thousand miles since buying it in April. virtually most of it towing my 33 footer, including to Alaska.

In all of that time it has never used a drop of oil that I can detect. I did my first oil change at about at 13,600 miles a bit earlier than the 15000 called for.

I would definitely take this to a dealer and get the situation documented. ie have them look at it check for leaks and then put in writing they say this oil use is normal.

Good luck

I drain my truck overnight to get the max old oil out. I add 11qts and 24oz to be on the full mark. If you look at the pan you will see that 8oz oil can easily be left in the pan plus the fact the bung is not slotted like the 2nd gen trucks were. Most people will have overfull condition if they take their truck to have the oil changed because those places pull the plug and put it right back in without letting all the oil drain.

Pic is of truck a day later sitting overnight on level ground.

My 2012 Rams really sensative to slope. Depending on which way the trucks sloped it will either show overfull or under full. I don't have anywhere level to check so I gave up checking. Just change it when the EVIC says to.

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Some engnes will use oil down to a certain level and pretty much stop at that point. Keep checking it and see if it keeps going lower or not. I wouldnt add oil until it was at the add mark.