Wrong reading on oil dip stick

[LA RVer]

I have a 2011 HR Neptune with a Cummins 8.3 liter engine. The Manuel stated the engine holds 19 quarts of oil. When I change the oil and filter and add 19 quarts, the oil stick shows the oil level to be 2 quarts below the add mark. Is the stick wrong or the 19 quarts wrong?

[JDL]

Originally Posted by LA RVer

I have a 2011 HR Neptune with a Cummins 8.3 liter engine. The Manuel stated the engine holds 19 quarts of oil. When I change the oil and filter and add 19 quarts, the oil stick shows the oil level to be 2 quarts below the add mark. Is the stick wrong or the 19 quarts wrong?

Where was it reading before the oil change? I would return it to that level, and document the quantity.

[LA RVer]

I don't normally check the oil until a 1,000 miles or so after an oil change. It has always been low so I always add enough to get it up to the add mark. The problem is that it may be adding to much oil after the 1,000 miles, or not putting in enough at the oil change. I don't know it I can trust the oil stick.

[slickest1]

I would run it for awhile and see if it goes down. Once it reaches a certain point it will stay there. The dip sticks are usually added by the coach manufacturer and are not always right on. Putting in more oil will usually amount to it blowing out the slobber tube.

[JDL]

Originally Posted by slickest1

I would run it for awhile and see if it goes down. Once it reaches a certain point it will stay there. The dip sticks are usually added by the coach manufacturer and are not always right on. Putting in more oil will usually amount to it blowing out the slobber tube.

I have seen this before. My coach will read just short of fuel ~ 1/2 pint short of full mark. That seems to be its happy spot. It takes 6 gallons with the filter change to get to that level.

[Papa_Jim]

Originally Posted by LA RVer

I have a 2011 HR Neptune with a Cummins 8.3 liter engine. The Manuel stated the engine holds 19 quarts of oil. When I change the oil and filter and add 19 quarts, the oil stick shows the oil level to be 2 quarts below the add mark. Is the stick wrong or the 19 quarts wrong?

My C8.3 takes 21 or 22 quarts of oil, can't remember exactly which. 2 quarts below the add mark sounds too low. I think I would add oil until it's somewhere between full and add and then monitor the oil consumption.

If I fill my engine to the full mark on the dipstick, the engine will burn oil until it's about half way between the full mark and the add mark, and then it will never burn any more oil.

I guess you have to get to know your own engine in this regard.

Jim

[HeapBigEngin]

Suggest you call Cummins. Have the engine serial number....they will tell you Exactly how much oil you need. If what you put in matches what they say you should put in, mark the stick with a small file and clean it....that should indicate full for your particular application if you are within a reasonable amount of mileage since the oil/filter change. If you do a forum search on the subject, you will find that it is not uncommon at all, like several above have mentioned, for the stick to be "miscalibrated" due to coach builder mounts and modifications. Mine was off....not anymore. I have contacted Cummins in the past, and they are extremely helpful. Just a thought....

[DMTTRANSPORT]

I would do a change and re mark it, if you over fill it you'll have a mess, Mine was a gallon off so I cut the dip stick tube the length it was showing over on the dip stick.

[bborc]

My 2007 Knight 8.3 take 20qts including filter to bring it to the full mark. My manual says 19qts with filter

[jlturner]

On my Diplomat Cummins had me get the serial number stamped on the bottom of the oil pan. They verified the quart capacity and I remarked the dipstick.


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[D Lindy]

Motorhome maker installed dipsticks, BOTH motor and trans are noted for their inaccuracy, in fact Allison Transmissions go so far as to say in the manual to not use the dipstick reading but to use the electronic shift pad to check fluid levels.