Never changed the oil.

[Al2024]

I'm thinking of buying a used 2012 motorhome with 5000 miles on the Ford E450 engine that has never had the oil changed.
If I purchase it I plan on getting the engine flushed & new oil added.
My question is has no oil changes degraded the engine? Has it been badly damaged or should it be OK?
Thank you,

[Snowman9000]

No problem.
In my work, I was taught by a motor oil engineer at a day long seminar. I specifically asked him about the miles and months thing, "Does oil go bad sitting in an engine?" He said no, it doesn't. The recommendations are just insurance or comfort for the engine manufacturers. Obviously after enough years, there could be some water created by condensation. Although a lot more water is created by running the engine. But anyway, I think you are good to go. Me personally, I would just change the oil and forget about it. No need to flush it.

[jwmII]

Buy it and do the service, change all the fluids, etc. And by all means enjoy it.

[gwheel]

Just buy that baby, and enjoy!!!!

[Al2024]

Thank you all for such a quick response! This forum is fantastic!
I don't know how to close the topic because you have relieved my anxiety. I will see the RV on Thurs.
Thanks again, Al

[ScottG]

It didn't hurt it at all - I'd buy it!

[jerseyjim]

No smoke? No clatter or clicking? 5000 miles isn't much at all...especially for these truck engines.
IMO, just change the oil and filter, grease the chassis (if there are any fittings)...check the driveshaft universals for grease fittings amd grease them as needed (some have them, some don't) fill up the gas tank and enjoy the thing!

[RedG]

5k is probably the recommended OCI for that engine.
For self reassurance, you could have an oil analysis done, but I'd say there's a 99.9% chance everything's A OK.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum.

Personally, I wouldn't get the Engine Flushed.

I would just change the oil, or have it changed, and drive it.

Do some research and decide for yourself.

Check it often and maybe get it changed earlier than normal.

And, like wolfe10 said, have it analyzed.

Let us know if you buy the motorhome.

[rgatijnet1]

You can spend a few dollars and send the oil sample out for analysis, but I don't think it would show much that is good. This is a new engine and you should expect some wear of the bearings and mating surfaces, just as you would have with any new engine. The first oil analysis should show a higher amount of metals, etc, in the oil.
Personally, I would just change the oil and enjoy the coach. I didn't worry about the person(s) who put the delivery mileage on my coach when it was being sent from the factory to the dealer. I had to trust that it was driven right for the first 3500 miles. Now 80,000+ miles later, the engine still purrs so I guess no harm was done. :B

[wcjeep]

Oil is measured by time or mileage. Whichever expires first. With that low mileage should be OK. Only use filters that meet or exceed OEM specs.

[10forty2]

The old legend about changing oil every 3,000 miles was created, in my opinion, first...back when oil was really crap, and second...a marketing tool for the oil manufacturers to sell more oil and service stations to get more business. Now with that said, I have still changed oil/filter in my vehicles at least every 5K miles. I figure that oil/filter is cheap compared to a new engine, so why not. It certainly can't hurt.

In your case, I seriously doubt that anything is wrong with the engine because they haven't changed the oil in 5K miles. Now, like someone else said, if it only went on short trips and never got the oil up to operating temp to burn off any condensation , then that may actually be a problem. But again, I highly doubt that there's anything wrong with it. Just change it now, with a new filter and keep on truckin'!!!

[DougE]

Just put in fresh oil & filter and don't worry about it!

[the_bear_II]

Manufacturers of the newer vehicles have set the intervals at 5000, 7500 or 10000 mile oil change depending on the vehicle and use.

My 2001 Toyota is at 7500 miles.

You'll be OK.

[Bumpyroad]

no problem
bumpy

[K_Charles]

I change the oil in my V10 at about every 7000 miles. It has 171,??? now and it's good so far. I wouldn't worry about it.
We just got home sat, your pots maid me think. I just went and hope.ed the hood. It's been almost 10,000 miles and it's not down a qt yet. Time to change it this week sometime.