Oil change intervals for large diesel engines

[Ubetcha]

I use synthetic oil and change every 10 thousand miles no matter how long it takes to get that many miles on.

[select55]

Originally Posted by Ubetcha

I use synthetic oil and change every 10 thousand miles no matter how long it takes to get that many miles on.

sounds kinda like me.I looked at synthetic and its no longer life than hi grade regular oil so I use super blue cummins regular oil and change around 12K
3-4 years depends on mileage per year

[WILDEBILL308]

Originally Posted by select55

sounds kinda like me.I looked at synthetic and its no longer life than hi grade regular oil so I use super blue cummins regular oil and change around 12K
3-4 years depends on mileage per year

So if oil is so cheap why are you risking your engine by not following the manufactuers recommendations? Especially when you arn't sampling the oil so you have a clue what is going on inside your engine.
Bill

[select55]

Originally Posted by WILDEBILL308

So if oil is so cheap why are you risking your engine by not following the manufactuers recommendations? Especially when you arn't sampling the oil so you have a clue what is going on inside your engine.
Bill

OP asked

Looking for thoughts on the oil change intervals for large diesel engines.

SO I told him what I do. have done this on all my vehicles for the last 40+ years works ;;very well for me
My Mh is always in warm dry weather .I have 5 years and 2000 miles on my mobile one synthetic in my mustang GT.oil looks like new(super clean)
its just what I do and believe in ;;others can do as they please;; matters not to me

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by select55

sounds kinda like me.I looked at synthetic and its no longer life than hi grade regular oil so I use super blue cummins regular oil and change around 12K
3-4 years depends on mileage per year

you haven't updated your signature. please do so we know what coach you have. maybe your practice makes sense for some kind of engines.

[wirelessenab]

I do an annual oil analysis and follow the recommendations the analysis firm gives. So far 4 years and 19500 miles with a clean bill of health. I will test it again this year.

Why throw out perfectly good oil that meets specs?

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by wirelessenab

I do an annual oil analysis and follow the recommendations the analysis firm gives. So far 4 years and 19500 miles with a clean bill of health. I will test it again this year.

Why throw out perfectly good oil that meets specs?

Does you engine manual say that this practice is OK
It is a good thing that we all don't do the same things in life like robots...... but a oil change, when looking at the big picture, with ant type of engine, no mater if it is a large diesel engine, or a lawn mower engine, and everything in between with a engine...........a fresh oil change is cheap to do, especially if one does their own maintenance.
I don't drink week old coffee............I prefer a fresh pot
And like mention, there would be nothing wrong with the old coffee.........

[select55]

Originally Posted by wirelessenab

I do an annual oil analysis and follow the recommendations the analysis firm gives. So far 4 years and 19500 miles with a clean bill of health. I will test it again this year.

Why throw out perfectly good oil that meets specs?

you sir are exactly correct and what I also aspire to. $170 oil and filter on my unit each year for a lousy 3200 miles is waste of good oil and money in my world. have 2000 miles and 5 years on my mustang GT using syn mobile one and looks like new

[Cranemec]

Getting our first annual service done today as a matter of fact. We only do 5-6k a year so it will continue to be a January event. lol

[Monacoach]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Does you engine manual say that this practice is OK
It is a good thing that we all don't do the same things in life like robots...... but a oil change, when looking at the big picture, with ant type of engine, no mater if it is a large diesel engine, or a lawn mower engine, and everything in between with a engine...........a fresh oil change is cheap to do, especially if one does their own maintenance.
I don't drink week old coffee............I prefer a fresh pot
And like mention, there would be nothing wrong with the old coffee.........

I will shorten my oil change intervals when my engine developes taste buds. Until then it drinks the old coffee

[select55]

Originally Posted by wirelessenab

I do an annual oil analysis and follow the recommendations the analysis firm gives. So far 4 years and 19500 miles with a clean bill of health. I will test it again this year.

Why throw out perfectly good oil that meets specs?

Of course your correct and I too aspire to the same theory
iam not going to drain $140 worth of blue Valvoline and throw away a fleet guard 35$ oil filter @ 4000 miles just because its a year old. Thats rediculous at best

[Mr_D]

In 2015 we onlk drove the MH about 300 miles after the engine rebuild, there was no way I was going to throw away 14 gallons of oil. In 2016 we (and now I) did about 600 miles of driving. When spring gets here I'll take an oil sample and see what they say.

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by Monacoach

340 cummins isb here...... manufacturer recommends 15000 miles or annual. I drive aprox half or less then half the miles and change oil and all the filters every two years.

Originally Posted by Monacoach

I will shorten my oil change intervals when my engine developes taste buds. Until then it drinks the old coffee

OK, like I have always said on here........what ever one wants to do and if they sleep good is all that matters.
Your engine most likely will never develop "Taste Buds"..........but yours will have a severe bitter taste........if you ever have to pay 20/30k for a rebuild..............the problem with these engine's is that they are not driven many miles, idling a lot, and sitting, unlike semi's and big trucks, oil/filter's are the cheapest part of operating one of these rig's..........to each their own, and I respect your methods and views on this subject

[select55]

There is not a single documented proof out there where a person had to spend 20-30 K to rebuild a diesel just because they went 3 years on the same oil all the while way under on miles under normal conditions
NOT ONE