Adding Rotella to Valvoline

[RichnSue]

fagnaml

We are hoping the engine service will stop or slow having to add oil. We found a crack in the breather, now replaced and approaching 1500 miles with no oil loss

[KentZ]

Do you fill the oil filter first?

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by KentZ

Do you fill the oil filter first?

No, only takes a few seconds for the engine to fill the filter. And there is enough oil film on moving parts so this is a non-issue.



If you feel you have to prefill the oil filter, very important to only fill the outer holes (inlets) and not get any in the large center hole (outlet) as that would let totally unfiltered oil into your engine's oil system.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by twinboat

As far as adding oil at 2000 miles, could this be one of those engines with a mismarked dipstick ?

They lead to overfilling the oil and excessive oil consumption.

Next time it's 2 quarts low, don't add any, and see if it remains at the 2 quart low reading.
You can also do an oil change and only add what the specs call for and not up to the full mark on the dipstick.

My sweet spot is about 2 quarts low, if I don't add it doesn't use any. Drove ~5K miles and didn't have to add a drop.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by KentZ

Do you fill the oil filter first?

Yes, i do fill the oil filter as per the instructions.

[RoadTrip2084]

Originally Posted by wolfe10

No, only takes a few seconds for the engine to fill the filter. And there is enough oil film on moving parts so this is a non-issue.



If you feel you have to prefill the oil filter, very important to only fill the outer holes (inlets) and not get any in the large center hole (outlet) as that would let totally unfiltered oil into your engine's oil system.

The "Motorhome Maintenance and Operation
L9TM, ISL9, ISC8.3 and C8.3 Engines (300-450 hp)" manual states:

The L9, ISL9, ISC8.3, and C8.3 require one gallon to move the level on the dipstick from add to full. Prefill oil filters prior to installation. Oil capacity varies by oil pan part number.

I think that you might be confusing oil filter prefill with fuel filter prefill. It's fine to prefill your oil filter in the center hole with brand new oil. If your brand new oil requires filtering you've got bigger problems.

It is the fuel filter that you need to be careful with since diesel does require filtering prior to hitting the injectors. My rig has an air purge system and I use it, don't mess with prefilling the fuel filter.