Oil level reads high on dipstick

[johnmyster]

and on this engine it’s 1/2-3/4 quart based on what stays in the head and the pan. 3 gallons gets most engines to the top of the full level and is easy, so that’s what people do.

The reason for the 30 minute mention is the same as the 30 minute drain when changing the oil,

Perplexing, conundrum, with 3/4 of a quart sitting on the head, it makes it hard to check the oil with the level of accuracy that this thread demands from a dipstick. If this motor is that picky, better not drive around turns or on hills. Might go beyond catastrophic minimum or maximum in the sump. Foamtella here we come.

Good thing I change oil after being parked overnight. Looks like 3 gallons actually is the right number for me. Explains why it nails the dipstick range. Low end right after running. High side after sitting overnight. “At least” thirty minute drainback, somewhere in the middle. Golden. It’s almost as if they designed it that way.

 

[24Megacab]

No point in responding, this is an “I know all and I know what’s best” type. I’ve seen the same responses on other forums and facts seemingly don’t matter….carry on

 

[johnmyster]

No point in responding, this is an “I know all and I know what’s best” type. I’ve seen the same responses on other forums and facts seemingly don’t matter….carry on

Actually, the shoe is on the other foot. I’m suggesting a large window of acceptability. You’re suggesting a tight margin to happy operation.

 

[roegs]

.....Then if I check later and it’s a little high, I use my brain and say, “makes sense, it’s been sitting for hours/overnight”. Or if it’s a little low, my brain says, “makes sense, just shut off.”

And since the manufacturer says “at least 30,” you’re still inviting variability so brain activity is still helpful.

You've got one interesting brain....that's for sure.

 

[56ram2500]

I’m not hanging out at a fuel stop for 30 minutes with a stopwatch but you do you friend.

Wowzers even if traveling long distance with an empty truck it can sit at the fuel island for 15-20 minutes, longer if I have a trailer attached, I guess your one who ever spends time washing windows, checking your tires an never go inside to get a drink or use the restroom...

 

[johnmyster]

Wowzers even if traveling long distance with an empty truck it can sit at the fuel island for 15-20 minutes, longer if I have a trailer attached, I guess your one who ever spends time washing windows, checking your tires an never go inside to get a drink or use the restroom...

I shut off the truck to wait 30 minutes to do a "proper" oil level check but my wife got mad parked no air conditioning. Dog was panting and drooling everywhere. What really got her was when I told her to push the rig through the fuel island with the camper attached. I told her that I wasn't allowed to restart the engine for 30 minutes to do a full precision oil level check per internet experts. I don't think she understood. Truck drivers all staring at me like that silly RVer that didn't belong. I showed her the owners manual but she did not get it. I told her it was a diesel thing that only real truckers would understand. She swung at me using the baseball bat I use to check my tires.

I'm currently working on a tiller motor for the truck to solve the issue.

TPMS on all tires including spares...I can wash windshield then go to fill my ice cup and drain the lizard (in that order) in the camper while the 50 gallon titan tank fills on the first click. I'm still at less than 15 minutes. The goal is to keep the routine fast enough that the toddlers in car seats never wake up. It would take quite a bit of dog walking to get that proper dipstick check procedure performed.

 

[56ram2500]

I shut off the truck to wait 30 minutes to do a "proper" oil level check but my wife got mad parked no air conditioning. Dog was panting and drooling everywhere. What really got her was when I told her to push the rig through the fuel island with the camper attached. I told her that I wasn't allowed to restart the engine for 30 minutes to do a full precision oil level check per internet experts. I don't think she understood. Truck drivers all staring at me like that silly RVer that didn't belong. I showed her the owners manual but she did not get it. I told her it was a diesel thing that only real truckers would understand. She swung at me using the baseball bat I use to check my tires.

I'm currently working on a tiller motor for the truck to solve the issue.

TPMS on all tires including spares...I can wash windshield then go to fill my ice cup and drain the lizard (in that order) in the camper while the 50 gallon titan tank fills on the first click. I'm still at less than 15 minutes. The goal is to keep the routine fast enough that the toddlers in car seats never wake up. It would take quite a bit of dog walking to get that proper dipstick check procedure performed.

I too have TPMS but I still take the time to look at each tire, learned you never know when you will find a nail that you just ran over that is not yet leaking air, my self at least once a day when traveling I make the time to get very close to the 30 minute mark at the fuel island and my wife gets it as she hates the idea of the truck not lasting a minimum of 12 years...

 

[AH64ID]

I shut off the truck to wait 30 minutes to do a "proper" oil level check but my wife got mad parked no air conditioning. Dog was panting and drooling everywhere. What really got her was when I told her to push the rig through the fuel island with the camper attached. I told her that I wasn't allowed to restart the engine for 30 minutes to do a full precision oil level check per internet experts. I don't think she understood. Truck drivers all staring at me like that silly RVer that didn't belong. I showed her the owners manual but she did not get it. I told her it was a diesel thing that only real truckers would understand. She swung at me using the baseball bat I use to check my tires.

I'm currently working on a tiller motor for the truck to solve the issue.

TPMS on all tires including spares...I can wash windshield then go to fill my ice cup and drain the lizard (in that order) in the camper while the 50 gallon titan tank fills on the first click. I'm still at less than 15 minutes. The goal is to keep the routine fast enough that the toddlers in car seats never wake up. It would take quite a bit of dog walking to get that proper dipstick check procedure performed.

For the guy who claims to be accepting a “large window of acceptability” you sure do seem to have trust issues with your engine if you feel the need to check your oil at each fuel stop.

Even towing day after day I’ve never once felt the need to check the oil on these motors that often, it’s just not a concern that’s worth all the time you’ve wasted in this thread trying to justify your oil techniques.

 

[johnmyster]

For the guy who claims to be accepting a “large window of acceptability” you sure do seem to have trust issues with your engine if you feel the need to check your oil at each fuel stop.

Even towing day after day I’ve never once felt the need to check the oil on these motors that often, it’s just not a concern that’s worth all the time you’ve wasted in this thread trying to justify your oil techniques.

Show me where I said EACH fuel stop?

We can make any point we want when we put words in others mouths.

 

[AH64ID]

Show me where I said EACH fuel stop?

We can make any point we want when we put words in others mouths.

Ohhh… so all of a sudden exaggerating for dramatic effect isn’t your thing now?

Weird considering that’s been the theme of multiple posts you’ve made.

Point being is that it’s not that big of a deal to check the oil as intended by the manufacturer, and certainly not a big enough deal to derail a thread on ways why it’s not worth your time.

 

[johnmyster]

Ohhh… so all of a sudden exaggerating for dramatic effect isn’t your thing now?

Weird considering that’s been the theme of multiple posts you’ve made.

Point being is that it’s not that big of a deal to check the oil as intended by the manufacturer, and certainly not a big enough deal to derail a thread on ways why it’s not worth your time.

I didn’t have to exaggerate for dramatic effect. It was for me by a moderator.

 

[Units]

I shut off the truck to wait 30 minutes to do a "proper" oil level check but my wife got mad parked no air conditioning. Dog was panting and drooling everywhere. What really got her was when I told her to push the rig through the fuel island with the camper attached. I told her that I wasn't allowed to restart the engine for 30 minutes to do a full precision oil level check per internet experts. I don't think she understood. Truck drivers all staring at me like that silly RVer that didn't belong. I showed her the owners manual but she did not get it. I told her it was a diesel thing that only real truckers would understand. She swung at me using the baseball bat I use to check my tires.

I'm currently working on a tiller motor for the truck to solve the issue.

TPMS on all tires including spares...I can wash windshield then go to fill my ice cup and drain the lizard (in that order) in the camper while the 50 gallon titan tank fills on the first click. I'm still at less than 15 minutes. The goal is to keep the routine fast enough that the toddlers in car seats never wake up. It would take quite a bit of dog walking to get that proper dipstick check procedure performed.

Happy wife, happy life

 

[24Megacab]

I actually don’t even stop for fuel. I’m in such a hurry, I just get refueled like a Northrop B-2 Spirit to save time. I also just check the oil while I’m driving. I know where it should be at on the dipstick at 2k rpm’s. This has kept her from divorcing me for years haha.

 

[cstockton]

I can tell you with complete certainty that these engines tend to hold a little oil back. Last oil change (I was in a hurry) and I'd let it drain about an hour. I put oil in it and drove it for a couple months. My DPF crapped out and I'd been having regens pretty frequently for me. Almost never to every tank of fuel. The day I was about to take it in for a dpf I was like, "I'm gonna check my oil". I ended up pulling about 2.5 qts out. I know I'd only put 12 in as required. I'd broke my rule though and didn't go back and check my dipstick after I filled it. I'm not sure how or where it holds it but it did and it's not a mistake I'll make again. Ended up putting a new SCR in too since I have a perfect truck and I dunno what my mistake did to that either. Maybe nothing but I'd rather start fresh. Hope that helps somebody.

 

[Dodgeman]

I can tell you with complete certainty that these engines tend to hold a little oil back. Last oil change (I was in a hurry) and I'd let it drain about an hour. I put oil in it and drove it for a couple months. My DPF crapped out and I'd been having regens pretty frequently for me. Almost never to every tank of fuel. The day I was about to take it in for a dpf I was like, "I'm gonna check my oil". I ended up pulling about 2.5 qts out. I know I'd only put 12 in as required. I'd broke my rule though and didn't go back and check my dipstick after I filled it. I'm not sure how or where it holds it but it did and it's not a mistake I'll make again. Ended up putting a new SCR in too since I have a perfect truck and I dunno what my mistake did to that either. Maybe nothing but I'd rather start fresh. Hope that helps somebody.

If you had to pull out 2.5 quarts, you either goofed when filling it after the oil change or, more likely, you’re getting significant oil dilution from the frequent regens. Search for the thread “Making oil and poor dealer help”. I think that’s the title.

An earlier post here is right, the shape of the sump holds back about 1/2 quart when the truck is level. I don’t understand why the manufacturers can’t put the oil drain hole at the bottom of the sump. I had a Toyota T100 that retained about a quart. I had to jack up the front after opening the drain to get some of that out. I guess 1 quart of old oil with 6 quarts of new (for the Toyota) isn’t the end of the world, but poor engineering for no reason bothers me in principle.

Based upon reading this forun, I never fill the Ram to the full mark. I’m pretty old and every auto/truck user manual I’ve ever read says, “Caution, do not fill above the full mark. Engine damage could result.” or something close I fill to about 3/4ths using the 30 minutes after shutdown advice from Cummins. I then check it immediately after shutdown and after overnight to calibrate where the dipstick should read for those situations when filled correctly. You only have to do this once after the first oil change, then you know. Also, dealers will overfill almost always which is why I do it myself. It doesn’t take much longer to change it than it does to drain the dealer’s inevitable overfill.

 

[Trash Panda]

If you had to pull out 2.5 quarts, you either goofed when filling it after the oil change or, more likely, you’re getting significant oil dilution from the frequent regens. Search for the thread “Making oil and poor dealer help”. I think that’s the title.

An earlier post here is right, the shape of the sump holds back about 1/2 quart when the truck is level. I don’t understand why the manufacturers can’t put the oil drain hole at the bottom of the sump. I had a Toyota T100 that retained about a quart. I had to jack up the front after opening the drain to get some of that out. I guess 1 quart of old oil with 6 quarts of new (for the Toyota) isn’t the end of the world, but poor engineering for no reason bothers me in principle.

Based upon reading this forun, I never fill the Ram to the full mark. I’m pretty old and every auto/truck user manual I’ve ever read says, “Caution, do not fill above the full mark. Engine damage could result.” or something close I fill to about 3/4ths using the 30 minutes after shutdown advice from Cummins. I then check it immediately after shutdown and after overnight to calibrate where the dipstick should read for those situations when filled correctly. You only have to do this once after the first oil change, then you know. Also, dealers will overfill almost always which is why I do it myself. It doesn’t take much longer to change it than it does to drain the dealer’s inevitable overfill.

I assure you that you’re overthinking it.

Let it drain for 30 minutes, swap the filter, dump in 3 gallons. The engine will never have an issue caused by this.

If it’s making oil, that’s an entirely separate issue that isn’t gonna be solved by an over complicated fill procedure.

 

[Dodgeman]

I assure you that you’re overthinking it.

Let it drain for 30 minutes, swap the filter, dump in 3 gallons. The engine will never have an issue caused by this.

If it’s making oil, that’s an entirely separate issue that isn’t gonna be solved by an over complicated fill procedure.

Sure I am. Checking your oil three times on the very first change of ownership {and never again) is certainly "over complicated". My gosh, that must suck, what, 1 minute out of your life you will never recover. Sorry for the sarcasm, but then the "over thinking" and "over{ly} complicated" tag were a bit over the top for something so simple. Most problems in life are cause by underthinking things, but to each their own.

Add 12 qts. every time and after 4 changes you will be a half gallon over filled as testified to by several posters to this thread. And I am sure that the caution in every owner's manual to not fill above the full mark is just put in there for grins and giggles.

 

[Trash Panda]

Sure I am. Checking your oil three times on the very first change of ownership {and never again) is certainly "over complicated". My gosh, that must suck, what, 1 minute out of your life you will never recover. Sorry for the sarcasm, but then the "over thinking" and "over{ly} complicated" tag were a bit over the top for something so simple. Most problems in life are cause by underthinking things, but to each their own.

Add 12 qts. every time and after 4 changes you will be a half gallon over filled as testified to by several posters to this thread. And I am sure that the caution in every owner's manual to not fill above the full mark is just put in there for grins and giggles.

The engine is physically not capable of retaining that much oil with the plug pulled and drained for 30 minutes.

Half a quart or so? Sure.

I’m gonna continue to run 12 quart fills problem free, as are all the other CTD owners I know. You go ahead and use what works for you. I’m just saying that it’s not necessary to over think something so simple.

Nobody has killed one of these motors because they filled up with 12 quarts instead of 11.5. Monitoring oil levels to identify fuel dilution is the real issue for these emissions trucks.

 

[56ram2500]

I can tell you with complete certainty that these engines tend to hold a little oil back. Last oil change (I was in a hurry) and I'd let it drain about an hour. I put oil in it and drove it for a couple months. My DPF crapped out and I'd been having regens pretty frequently for me. Almost never to every tank of fuel. The day I was about to take it in for a dpf I was like, "I'm gonna check my oil". I ended up pulling about 2.5 qts out. I know I'd only put 12 in as required. I'd broke my rule though and didn't go back and check my dipstick after I filled it. I'm not sure how or where it holds it but it did and it's not a mistake I'll make again. Ended up putting a new SCR in too since I have a perfect truck and I dunno what my mistake did to that either. Maybe nothing but I'd rather start fresh. Hope that helps somebody.

Oil growth was most likely from all the regens and if you are using 5% or more of Bio diesel that does not help matters, bio diesel is no friend when it comes to frequent regens as I'm told it does not atomize very well when used / injected for the DPF regen.

 

[Dodgeman]

The engine is physically not capable of retaining that much oil with the plug pulled and drained for 30 minutes.

Half a quart or so? Sure.

I’m gonna continue to run 12 quart fills problem free, as are all the other CTD owners I know. You go ahead and use what works for you. I’m just saying that it’s not necessary to over think something so simple.

Nobody has killed one of these motors because they filled up with 12 quarts instead of 11.5. Monitoring oil levels to identify fuel dilution is the real issue for these emissions trucks.

You’re right. The extra half quart will drain out each time. After the first fill, you drain 12 quarts and fill 12 quarts. I will continue, however, not to fill my vehicles above the full mark on the dipstick or worry about when I’m checking it because I’ll know what it should be no matter when I check it.