Quote:
Originally Posted by lenny-shawna
Hi Scott,
By nature I'm a proactive vs reactive person and do almost all my own maintenance including oil changes. Other than oil changes being cheep, is there a benefit to doing twice a year changes?
Last year we put around 16k miles on our DS and have always changed the oil yearly in this and our last DP. Typically every 2-3 months we go somewhere and living in SW FL the trips are always far away. Tallahassee next week as our youngest graduates FSU and then Bar Harbor MA a month after that.
My reasoning is the acid build up in the oil takes time and we don't have her sitting around for more than a couple months.
Enjoy
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Lenny,
Skip and others on here are far more of an expert than I am. I'm just one who believes that frequent oil changes, especially on engines that face such hard duty, like our C-7 that's stuffed into a rear engine bay, running at about as hot as one can get with minimal cooling ( we all know that rear engine cooling is by far, not a good plan). My thoughts are, if that engine gets pushed that hard, why not treat it to at least some clean oil at intervals that are basically ahead of schedule? We sit up front, in our quiet, pleasant A/C atmosphere while that engine is working its guts out.
I have never sent any oil in for an analysis but, I definitely should.
Scott
Quote:
Originally Posted by rrtribble
Scott, thanks for your post. My non-diesel background clearly shows but I am learning thanks to you and others who willingly share your knowledge.
I understand dirty oil but diesel oil is always dirty - at least that is what FL told me after I asked why my new oil after the change was just as dirty as the old oil was.
Can you and/or others clarify this for me?
Do I need to have the engine flushed next month. I asked for it last year but FL said the seals in my engine were old (12 years) and they did not recommend doing it.
Changing twice a year doesn't bother me if it will help keep my unit running smoothly. I've spent a ton this first year but have more confidence in my DP now than when I bought it.
We now have an Altorfer Service Center here in Springfield. I had them do the turbo replacement earlier this year. Should I use them to do the oil change and then FL do the rest of my annual service - they do have a couple of techs who are DP Knowledgeable?
Thanks for your info - Richard
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Richard,
You've been answered by more qualified experts than me. Yes, engines don't drain ALL the oil that's been put in. It's always amazed me that, in many gas engines, you can replace the dirty oil and, the new oil will actually remain clean for quite some time. It will get dirty but, not nearly as early as fresh oil installed in diesel engine. The acids and potential moisture from storing it, can contaminate that oil and cause issues. So, a frequent change is my answer.
Now, as for WHO does it, well, that's entirely up to you. I do, always have done, and most likely will continue doing my own oil changes on everything I own. It's not all that hard, even on my diesel. Especially since I installed that Fumoto valve that allows for precise controlled oil flow from the oil pan, into milk jugs or whatever you choose. What a kick in the but.
Scott