I parked my 3500 on level ground and started an oil change. Drained oil until a whisp of oil was still draining. Reinstalled plug and removed oil filter. Installed new filter and poured 12 quarts of Rotella into oil port. Stared engine and oil pressure came up fine. When I poured used oil into gallon jugs, I only got a little over two gallons. When I checked the oil level it was off the scale on the dip stick. My question is, what happened? And is it ok to drive with too much oil?
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What Happened?
- Thread starter gmyrick49
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RockaRhyme
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did you let the engine warm up a bit, then give the oil some time to drain down the pan after you shut it off, and loosen the filler cap to let it flow well? I don't think all that would make a huge difference, but it helps.
Definitely not ok to drive if there’s 4 gallons of oil in a 3 gallon sump.
As stated above, was the oil warm / hot when you drained? How long did you wait after shutting the truck off before you started to drain?
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The 6.7 needs a minimum of 30 minutes of drain time when changing the oil.
You should also let the engine sit for 30 minutes after getting to operating temp before checking the oil level.
How full was the oil filter? It can hold up to a quart.
You should also let the engine sit for 30 minutes after getting to operating temp before checking the oil level.
How full was the oil filter? It can hold up to a quart.
Jnrcarson
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For what it’s worth. Just changed my oil. Truck was warmed up. Sat for an hour then drained for almost 2 hours while I did other chores. Not a drip coming out when drain plug reinstalled. Only took 11 quarts to reach the full line. I’ll check it in the morning as I took it on a 700 mile road trip. Probably the oil filter filled and it should show a little low now.
I probably didn't let it warm up enough and I didn't open the filler cap. Arg!
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If you just moved the truck to a level spot and shut it off that’s your issue. Cool oil takes a lot longer to drain out.
Next time, install one of these in place of the standard drain plug:
Then when you do the oil changes moving forward, take the truck for a drive and let it get up to operating temperature. Bring it back, shut it down, let it sit for a 20-30 minutes, open the filler cap, get under and open the valve and let it drain for a minimum of 30 minutes. Longer is better. These valves let you do a hot oil change with no risk for injury or mess. They’re worth the investment.
I’ve had one of these on all 7 of the Cummins trucks I’ve owned over the years. Approximately 700,000 miles combined with them all and never once did I have an issue with the drain valve. They offer different styles as well as a cap that can be installed on the valve.
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I’ve never heard of a single issue with one, but I’ve dented an oil pan from sticks on back roads and personally would never run one. With the fake oil pressure gauge on these trucks you wouldn’t know there was an issue until it was way too late.
Jnrcarson
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Good point. I don’t plan on installing one for the once a year oil change. 5 gallons bucket and a latex glove worked just fine last oil change.
I’ve got one installed, works great. I bought the cap for the end of it just to keep it clean for when I pull a uoa sample. For added safety, I just stuck a small hose clamp on the end of it so there is absolutely no way of accidentally opening the valve, which requires 2 distinct motions to open anyways.