Oil Change

[anconn]

I came home from a long trip in October 2014 and changed the engine oil(synthetic) It has sat other than local trips to and from storage and to get maintenance. I have started it up every month or two as well. Should I need to change the oil before a 5000 mile trip this year or is it still ok?

[ncrowley]

When I went to Camp Freightliner and took some classes at the FMCA forum, I was told at both places to change the oil once per year unless you out a whole lot of miles on the coach. I recommend you change the oil.

[Bill_Satellite]

Just like belly buttons, everyone has an opinion and they are all opinions. My "opinion" is that you made things worse by starting the coach but not driving it as you never would have gotten the engine up to operating temperatures and this is worse than doing nothing at all. Having that knowledge at hand, my opinion is that you change the oil before heading out. Even if my opinion is wrong, the cost of doing so is so small compared to the price of owning an RV that you will not remember this as even the slightest event in the future.
Do what will make you feel good going forward as everyone here is simply giving you "their" take on the situation as they see it.

[wolfe10]

darsben1 wrote:

bluwtr49 wrote:
Easy thing to do is have an oil analysis. Than you can make an informed decision.

I change oil every two years and the coach travels for 5 months and mostly sits for 7 months. I get an analysis every year an all has been fine.

This is the best correct answer. The other correct answer would be change the oil.

A bit of "apples and oranges here".

Oil changes on a 12 liter diesel engine with likely 30 plus quarts of oil vs gas engine with maybe 5 quarts is DIFFERENT.

With 5 quarts-- just change it.

With 30+ quarts get it analyzed.

Both correct answers, just for different questions.

[darsben1]

bluwtr49 wrote:
Easy thing to do is have an oil analysis. Than you can make an informed decision.

I change oil every two years and the coach travels for 5 months and mostly sits for 7 months. I get an analysis every year an all has been fine.

This is the best correct answer. The other correct answer would be change the oil.

[bluwtr49]

Easy thing to do is have an oil analysis. Than you can make an informed decision.

I change oil every two years and the coach travels for 5 months and mostly sits for 7 months. I get an analysis every year an all has been fine.

[gatorcq]

My question and opinion
Cost of Rig
Cost of Oil change (every year as recommended by manufacture)
Cost of piece of mind.

Me I change every year, if I happen to drive near 900 gallons of fuel burn, in less then a year. I will change it. Even if it means twice in 1 year. Small price to pay for piece of mind and ensuring I do not hurt my Rv.

[turbojimmy]

Changes in temp as it sits can allow condensation to contaminate the oil. I change mine at the beginning of every season (put less than 1,000 miles a season on it). When I dust things off in the spring, the dipstick is usually frozen in the tube with rust. I start it monthly, too, and let it get up to operating temp. If I'm feeling ambitious I'll take it around the block but I'll at least run the trans through the gears while it's running.

Cliff Notes: Change the oil. It's cheap insurance.

[tatest]

If you had let it set, right after a change, for two years without ever starting it, I would say the oil is OK.

But if you've been starting it every month or so, without getting it up to full operating temperature for at least a couple hours, it is probably loaded with acidic condensates. Change it.

[gbopp]

Eliminate any doubt, change the oil.
Enjoy your 5000 mile trip.

[jfkmk]

You haven't changed the oil in more than a year and a half? Your short trips and just starting it every once in a while are the absolute worst thing for an engine. Oil will become acidic after a while, which is why you would change the oil on a time interval as well as by mileage. Why on earth would you risk damaging such an expensive rig for the cost of an oil change? Penny wise, pound foolish.

[dougrainer]

AZAmmochief wrote:
Only my opinion, but looking at your location, less than a dusty town like Tucson AZ, I think you can trust not needing to change your oil at this point given the low mileage you described. I live in southern Arizona, I may put 3K miles per year, but I change the oil every year, sometimes twice just because of the dust. Again, just my opinion.

Curious, WHY would dust be a problem on a sealed engine oil system? Doug

[AZAmmochief]

Only my opinion, but looking at your location, less than a dusty town like Tucson AZ, I think you can trust not needing to change your oil at this point given the low mileage you described. I live in southern Arizona, I may put 3K miles per year, but I change the oil every year, sometimes twice just because of the dust. Again, just my opinion.