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Oil Consumtion

Yahoo Message Number: 62453
We have traveled on our current trip about 2000 plus miles in our 05 inspire. In the past we would normally have to add oil, but the dip stick is broken and I cannot validate if I need oil.
The tub the oil stick goes in has popped put and I cannot get a valued reading. We have 70,000 miles on the Cat-9, is it possible I do not need oil? Does anyone have an idea how I can check the level of the oil?
We are currently as far north from our home in San Diego as we can go on Vancouver Island BC at Alder Bay, and do not have a garage to check the oil situation.

Stan Inspire 2005 51406

Re: Oil Consumtion

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62457
Yes it is possible that your Cat C9 doesn't need oil. I have an 04 Allure and have never had to add oil Have it changed yes but add oil no.
If you have been adding oil in the past it is possible that you are try to maintain the dip stick at the full level every time you see it drop below. Dip sticks are notoriously miss-marked. Even so remember the add oil mark is quite a ways below the full mark.
Diesel engines that are not leaking oil or burning it (rare) tend to maintain an oil level. So if you add oil filling it above the level that the diesel wants then it will get rid of it either as crank case blow-by or the several ways that an overfilled engine will do it.
I closely watched my coach when I first got it. Eventually it settled in about 1/3 below the full mark and stayed there. Whenever I check it (not often now) that is right where is sets. If I bring it up to the full line it will just drift back down.
There are many protections on your engine that will not let you run it out of oil. Get it fixed when you can but personally I don't think that have an immediate problem. Others will likely disagree. Also I think I recall posts on a way to check your oil level other than the dip stick. I can't remember if that is so or how but if someone knows the answer to that I hope they will let you know.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Oil Consumtion

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62458
Stan, here are some thoughts and options.
If you know the #qt from Full to Add, and recall your last reading, and have an idea of how fast you burn oil, can you guesstimate how much you're down? Add the amount you guess you are down. If it's a bit too much, it will just puke it out on your toad . . no harm there!? :-))
Obviously, you needs to get another dip stick. A shop that works on CC's may know or have the correct dip stick and tube (CC fit it, not Caterpillar). Call one of the tech outfits we all know/trust.
Asking us to speculate on whether you need to add oil is a little (OK, a lot) scary.
Worse case, get a short Caterpillar dip stick, from a CAT Service Center, and tube and fit it on the other side of the engine (most Cat engines have fixtures to allow the dip stick to be fit on either side. The one that is not used just has a plug in it.

good luck.
--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: Oil Consumtion

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62463
You have all answered my question, and put my mind at ease.

Stan Inspire 2005 51406
 

Re: Oil Consumtion

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62465
Building off of Lee's input. As he mentioned, could you not mount a Cat Tube/Stick on the otherside, and have the oil drained and, and new oil added. Then check the new Stick to see where the oil comes to. Mark with a file the full mark. (Or, are due the amounts of oil used during a full oil change differ in the same engine line?)
If history tells you that you use oil, then probably best to find someway to address the problem before going too far with possibly low oil?

Best of luck, be safe, have fun,
Smitty (Also from San Diego)
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)