Community Forums

budwilson · 03-01-2013, 02:00 PM

After you calibrate the dipstick on a Cat C7 for the the 19 qts aprox. Where should the new full and add line be?

palehorse89 · 03-01-2013, 02:25 PM

Bud, I believe the factory marks are 1 gallon apart from low to full. If you are going to do this pick a 2 quart, 3 quart, or what ever you want to use. So lets say you want the low mark to be 3 quarts low put 16 quarts in, let it settle good and then pull the stick and take a dremel tool or a file to put a new mark on the stick for the low level. Now put the 3 other quarts in and after settling time mark the high level on the stick. Done

Skip426 · 03-01-2013, 02:30 PM

With your coach on level ground and shut down overnight, the oil level shown on the dip stick is your new full mark. Measure the distance between the original full and add marks and mark a new add line the same distance below the new full line .

bdpreece · 03-01-2013, 02:31 PM

Best explanation for calibrating the C7 dipstick here Calibrating the engine oil dip stick

budwilson · 03-01-2013, 03:53 PM

Thanks, I was just wondering if the new full mark would be at or below the old add mark. Just for a reference when I do it.

bdpreece · 03-01-2013, 05:23 PM

That is tough to say. From what I have read the frame with the engine installed is delivered to the manufacturer. Due to different design configurations the final placement of the oil dipstick and tube will vary from coach to coach. This will change how deep into the pan the dipstick goes. The only way to know for sure is to do the calibration.

1ciderdog · 03-01-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Best explanation for calibrating the C7 dipstick here Calibrating the engine oil dip stick

That explanation is the way I did mine - 17 quarts let it sit and then mark the low oil level and then add two more quarts.

Deucenut · 03-01-2013, 05:55 PM

Does the 19 quart capacity in a C-7 include the oil filter?

bdpreece · 03-01-2013, 06:40 PM

Yes! Read the link in my post #4. Add 17 qts then run the engine (this fills the oil filter) let it set then check the oil level and mark the dipstick (add oil mark) . Add 2 quarts (makes 19 total) let it set awhile then check and mark dipstick (full level). kudos to Brett Wolfe for a geat article. Now if people would just read it.

Deucenut · 03-01-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Yes! Read the link in my post #4. Add 17 qts then run the engine (this fills the oil filter) let it set then check the oil level and mark the dipstick (add oil mark) . Add 2 quarts (makes 19 total) let it set awhile then check and mark dipstick (full level). kudos to Brett Wolfe for a geat article. Now if people would just read it.

I did read it!!!

I just wondered if it included the oil filter!! Or if it was 17 quarts PLUS the filter. When I do oil changes I fill the filter, then install it. This way the engine gets oil quicker.

bdpreece · 03-01-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deucenut

I did read it!!!

I just wondered if it included the oil filter!! Or if it was 17 quarts PLUS the filter. When I do oil changes I fill the filter, then install it. This way the engine gets oil quicker.

Ok! It did not say pre fill the oil filter it said install 17 quarts then run the engine

. This is probably not the way I would do an oil change either

but this is just once to calibrate the dip stick . Running the engine then fills the oil filter no matter what the size

, Then mark the add level and install 2 more quarts and mark the full level.

. I am afraid you are a lot like me and want to read more into directions than are actually there

. No offense meant

.

Deucenut · 03-01-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Ok! It did not say pre fill the oil filter it said install 17 quarts then run the engine

. This is probably not the way I would do an oil change either

but this is just once to calibrate the dip stick . Running the engine then fills the oil filter no matter what the size

, Then mark the add level and install 2 more quarts and mark the full level.

. I am afraid you are a lot like me and want to read more into directions than are actually there

. No offense meant

.

Ok thanks. How do I know if the dipstick has already been calibrated? I am not the first owner of the coach.

bdpreece · 03-01-2013, 08:57 PM

If it only has the original factory marks (no file or dremel cuts on the dipstick) I would assume it has not been calibrated. The factory marks could be right but, the odds are they are not. Something you might want to do for future owners or even service shops is place a tag on the dipstick tube indicating the dipstick has been recalibrate and also listing the oil capacity for your engine.

budwilson · 03-02-2013, 06:14 AM

I did read the post on calibration. I thought I read someplace where the old add mark became the new full mark. In a prior post I had a PM done by Freightliner in Columbus, Ohio and was charged for 40 qts of Oil. This put the oil level about 1 1/2-2" above the full mark. I have to drain some of the oil out so it will be safe to drive it back over so they can drain the oil an replace it with the correct amount. Notice I said charged as they are not sure how much they really put in but we know its above the full mark and the dipstick has not been calibrated. I was looking to see about how much to drain for it to be safe. I just got this unit in Non.
I just got this unit in Nov.