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,

[Gonzo42]

In my case, the old Fram CH10323 filter I took out appeared to have been crushed and bent in the middle as if it were too long for the application.

I can't say that it actually failed, but it didn't engender confidence.

[jerseyjim]

Oil filter "collapse"? What kind of pressure are we talking about here? In a "normal" gas motor of any kind....the pressure simply is not there to create a "collapse". Using FRAM (and others) for over 40 years....no evidence at all when I change my oil/filter.
GONZO42 has a good and extensive list. To ensure a long engine life (oil related) all one has to do is use a "name brand" oil filter and change the oil and filter at regular intervals. Fossil oil....usually around 3-4000. Syn oil...usually around 7-8000.
I personally continue to use fossil in my motorhome V-10 (and my other vehicles)....no problems in over 50,000 miles. NAPA 10-30, every 4000 miles or 3 times a year depending on use.

[mci7]

Changing oil is a cheap insurance issue to me, I change about every 4-5,000 miles, the Cummins ISM500 takes 10 gal 15W-40, when I bought this setup, I used the reports back from the oil testing service, all looked great so I now just change it and now have 110,000 miles on it.

Dave M

[Passin_Thru]

Never flush an engine. It just washes lubricant from the cylinder walls and bearings. Get a Blackstone oil sample kit and start an oil sample regimen and they will tell you how often you need to change oil. They have mine in a Duramax at 14,000 mi.

[Gonzo42]

I have a largish list in my computer of possible approved filters. However, I have only been able to identify one that is approved, and that is Mann-Filter HU821/X.

On an older thread I had mentioned a Fram filter and was advised that they collapse so I returned it.


Here is my list of possibles:

CARQUEST 84062
CHAMP P3969
CHRYSLER  05175571AA
CHRYSLER  5175571AA
FLEETGUARD LF16231
GROUP 7 V5646
HENGST E71HD141
LUBER-FINER P3969
MAHLE OX380DECO
MANN & HUMMEL HU821
MANN & HUMMEL HU821/X
MANN & HUMMEL HU821X
MERCEDES-BENZ 642 180 0009
MERCEDES-BENZ 642 184 0025
MERCEDES-BENZ A642 180 0009
MERCEDES-BENZ A642 184 0025
NAPA 7062
PUROLATOR L25646
PUROLATOR L90003
SECURITY CH-10323
STP S10323
WIX 57062

Mann 6421800009
Mahle OX380D
OP Parts 11533001
Hengst W0133-1789376
Mann-Filter W0133-1789376

[Raymon]

wcjeep wrote:
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.

I agree. A little off the topic, but what brand of oil filters do you know that do not supposedly meet or exceed the OEM specs? Just curious.

Rasy

[Gonzo42]

According to the manual supplied, the oil change interval is an astounding 10K miles.

Even though I have some evidence that the original owner changed the oil, I do not know when or at what odometer reading. Now I feel less worry knowing exactly how old my oil is.

[jhilley]

That chassis should still be under warranty.

[J-Rooster]

If the oil in the crankcase is Synthetic no problem it can go to 7,500 miles or further.

[Gonzo42]

Just this week I changed to oil on our (new to us) rig with 27K miles. I know the oil was changed once for sure by the original owner because I have his notes in the owners manual about the oil brand and model, and because of the part number of the old oil filter.

We put on 2700 miles so it was time IMHO. Of course the old oil was black and in only 10 miles the new oil is black. Well, it is a diesel and I understand that is normal.

[mowermech]

I met a man in 1960 who had a 1950 Buick that he claimed had never had an oil change. He also claimed that it had 150,000 miles on it. He said he changed the filter every 1500 miles and added a quart of oil to make up the loss from the filter change.
He was an instructor at the Navy helicopter school I went to back then, a Marine Sergeant.
His claim was that oil does not "break down". He would ask, "if those oil molecules break, what does it become, it isn't oil anymore!"
The only time I worry about changing oil exactly on time or miles is when there is a warranty that requires such changes. Since I have nothing under warranty, I change oil about every 5 or 6 thousand miles or once a year, whichever comes first.
Buy the rig, change the oil and filter, check the air filter, and go have fun!

[down_home]

Five thousand miles but over that length of time, flush the engine with fresh oil . First drain and change filter and put new oil in it and run it until warm/hot.
No sense tanking chances with an investment.
The engine flushes they sell may damage valve seals etc.
After the first oil change after running for a while, see what the oil and oil filter looks like. Over that length of time moisture and burned fuel residues have made some acids and sludge.

[Rodz]

crickeydog wrote:
The oil is probably the least of your concerns. I guess my concern would be if the oil hasn't been changed in 2+ years, what else has been neglected? I'd darn sure give that sucker a good going over...roof to tires...before I bought that sucker. Good luck.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

It hasn't been neglected. It's getting close to being serviced. It's just fine.

[dodge_guy]

I wouldn't worry. If you buy it get it hot and then change the oil. If you are really anal change it again after 1k miles!

[crickeydog]

The oil is probably the least of your concerns. I guess my concern would be if the oil hasn't been changed in 2+ years, what else has been neglected? I'd darn sure give that sucker a good going over...roof to tires...before I bought that sucker. Good luck.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)