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mike brez · 10-30-2015, 07:31 AM

I changed the engine oil in the start of the season. We put about 5k miles on it,putting it away for winter debating on weather or not to change again. Cheap insurance to change again I guess.

BrianGlenn · 10-30-2015, 10:13 AM

Your choice; but I would leave it until next spring. The oil is certainly fine from a lubricity and additive perspective to run for another season, and I doubt there are many particulates caught in the filter. If you are set to change it out, I would simply dump the oil next spring and refill with new oil, keep the filter.

Old school rationale for changing oil in the spring is that there may be contamination from water vapor condensation over the winter season (marginal, IMHO).

My $0.02.
Brian

IanSmith-UK · 10-30-2015, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike brez

I changed the engine oil in the start of the season. We put about 5k miles on it,putting it away for winter debating on weather or not to change again. Cheap insurance to change again I guess.

Invest in an analysis of the existing oil, your question will be answered by experts and much more cost effective than an oil change

But there again I swear by fluids analysis - last engine oil change delayed by 4 years / 10,000 miles thanks to annual analysis, by engine manufacturer

Ian S.
Exeter UK
2005 CC Allure 430
Cat C9 400 bhp
Allison 3000MH

deandec · 10-30-2015, 05:17 PM

Oil analysis can tell you if the oil can still trap more contaminates (TBN) and what the wear metals content of your oil is.

I find the TBN# and the rest of the analysis to be comforting, since it is always very good at 96,000 miles so far.

I change my oil at about 6,000 miles because our miles per year has dropped significantly as we finish our 14th year with this rig.

srh · 11-01-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanSmith-UK

Invest in an analysis of the existing oil, your question will be answered by experts and much more cost effective than an oil change

But there again I swear by fluids analysis - last engine oil change delayed by 4 years / 10,000 miles thanks to annual analysis, by engine manufacturer

Ian S.
Exeter UK
2005 CC Allure 430
Cat C9 400 bhp
Allison 3000MH

Good Point!
I was all set to do the oil change when I got my coach early last spring as it had been over 18 months since it was changed, but less than 1,500 miles since the oil change. Did the oil analysis and was recommended to keep the oil. I drove it another 5,000 mi over the summer and just changed it.
Good Luck!

Mr_D · 11-01-2015, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianGlenn

Your choice; but I would leave it until next spring. The oil is certainly fine from a lubricity and additive perspective to run for another season, and I doubt there are many particulates caught in the filter. If you are set to change it out, I would simply dump the oil next spring and refill with new oil, keep the filter.

Old school rationale for changing oil in the spring is that there may be contamination from water vapor condensation over the winter season (marginal, IMHO).

My $0.02.
Brian

The engine manufacturers state to change the oil before storing, the rational is to remove the acid causing contaminates before they have a chance to form and "work" during the storage.