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Oil change interval

Yahoo Message Number: 92287
What do members of this group feel is the correct interval between oil and oil filter changes? The manual for my coach (with Cummins ISC) says maximum of 15K miles, but I have never been able to go that long. The oil looks pretty dirty at 7K, and I usually change at 10K. What do the rest of you do?

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue 10979

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92288
I change mine on an annual basic regardless of mileage.


Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92291
I have never understood changing oil based on time. How does the oil get bad sitting there? It does not get bad in bottles sitting on the shelf. Why doe it get bad sitting in the engine?

Al Colby 2000 Intrigue 10979

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92292
I stopped to have my oil changed at a Speedco near Knoxville, Tn two years ago and the manager asked me how many miles I had on the oil, I told him a little over 5,000 miles and almost one year since I had changed it. My manual says change annually or at 15,000 miles. His response was that was put in the manual by lawyers and there was no need to change it so soon unless an oil analysis indicated a problem with the oil. He recommended an oil analysis which they do right on site, I agreed to it and the results came back with basically new oil condition so I didn't change the oil until the following year, although I have been programmed to change it every year and was nervous about doing this. The Speedco manager went on to say that oils are so good now that many of their trucker customers go several years and many many miles between changes opting instead for the oil analysis more frequently. I don't know which is the way to go but the oil analysis is very economical, I believe it was around $30 but cannot remember the exact cost. I did have the chassis lube.

Ray 2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92293
I think it would help if we try to post facts. About oil changes I would say if you go over Mfg. specs I would suggest oil samples. They are cheap and they can tell you alot about your oil as well as your engine. I just saw a 1995 peterbuilt for sale with 1.6 million miles on it. I wonder what he thought about regular maintence.

happy motoring to all
Rex 2003 intrigue 11543

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92294
I thought the oil gets contaminated from the diesel combustion and start to get acetic, and becomes corrosive to the engine parts. This does not suppose to occur with synthetic oils. Just my understanding from years back, for what it is worth.
Sent from my ASUS Eee Pad

allancolby@... wrote:

I have never understood changing oil based on time. How does the oil get bad sitting there? It does not get bad in bottles sitting on the shelf. Why doe it get bad sitting in the engine?

Al Colby 2000 Intrigue 10979

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92297
Ray,

I had the exact same experience at a Speedco in Utah with 5k on my oil in one year. Did an analysis and it looked like new oil according to hard data. He said I was wasting my money. Given that they are losing money by telling me this, I believe them. Oil analysis is the only objective criteria. The truckers and the fleets all use it to determine change intervals, not just time.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92299
One issue to consider is warranties including extended warranties . Going over the time limit could give them a reason to deny your claim.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92300
Group,

Some interesting and varied views on a single subject Personally I am a firm advocate of regular (annual) fluid analysis - engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, hydraulic fluid, differential fluid, generator engine oil, generator coolant - all go off every 'end of season' to Caterpillar analysis laboratory at a cost of about $600 for them all (including the labour charge for taking the samples) I use the Caterpillar / Finning lab over here in the UK because it is their engine!! - C9 400hp - with the analyst at the Caterpillar lab I discuss the results to monitor fluid change / deterioration and seek their expertise / thinking I ask the following question with every fluid sample submitted - ? will continued use of this fluid for a further 12 months / 5,000 miles be detrimental in any way to the component or invite premature failure of same? Oil acidity is just one of the tests within their comprehensive analysis I only have to 'top up' the generator coolant concentrate this winter - the ph of the engine coolant has crept up 0.1 but does not yet require the addition of the 'extender' - everything else is good to go for another year / 5,000 miles Regular annual fluid analysis is a great way to build up a picture / history of the internal health of the component and to spot early any potential issues (I changed the engine oil filter at 2 years, disected same and sent off a sample 'scraped' from the filter material in case there was any excessive debris therein, in addition to anything in suspension in the regular fluid sample)
I think the cost of the fluids analysis has been saved this year in not having to change the engine oil alone !? - CC and Caterpillar recommend 20,000 and / or 12 months

Look forward to the views of others

Ian S

2005 Allure Hood River #31321
Cat C9 400bhp

(Engine oil - 4 years / transmission fluid 4 years / coolant thought to be original)

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92301
In a sealed container it is not exposed to the air. It is not exposed to carbon by products, acids, fuel, moisture and other things that contaminate it in the engine. In addition the filter is sitting in oil once installed, so there is a deterioration factor there as well.

An annual is not really a bad idea.

Mikee

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92304
I cheat a little; but, my extended warranty clearly specifies that the components must be maintained per manufacture's specifications.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92308
Yearly

Bo & Kathy Lee

2000 Magna #5896 40 FT

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Rubicon



On Saturday, November 9, 2013 6:16 AM, Dan Fahrion wrote:

I cheat a little; but, my extended warranty clearly specifies that the components must be maintained per manufacture's specifications.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92317
Been told the same thing by our RV/truck service company. We do an annual engine oil test and transmission fluid test. Pick up the kits at a truck service company. Get the results back in less than a week. Gives you a heads up if anything else is going on in the engine as well.

Re: Oil change interval

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 92332
Al


I change mine every year by time. If you travel more than the 15k then change by mileage.
Bo & Kathy Lee

2000 Magna #5896 40 FT

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Rubicon



On Saturday, November 9, 2013 2:59 PM, "up4itnc@..." wrote:

Been told the same thing by our RV/truck service company. We do an annual engine oil test and transmission fluid test. Pick up the kits at a truck service company. Get the results back in less than a week. Gives you a heads up if anything else is going on in the engine as well.

---In country-coach-owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

Yearly

Bo & Kathy Lee

2000 Magna #5896 40 FT

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Rubicon



On Saturday, November 9, 2013 6:16 AM, Dan Fahrion wrote:

I cheat a little; but, my extended warranty clearly specifies that the components must be maintained per manufacture's specifications.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9