Oil level in RAM Cummins Diesel engines

[vipermanden]

Curious question here. I have had my oil changed numerous times by 3 different RAM dealerships, and the oil level on the dipstick is confusing. I typically have them change the full synthetic oil in my Cummins 6.7 HO turbo Diesel motor every 5,000 miles because I am mostly pulling my Montana. But look at the two pics, and the oil level is "Always" past the safe area on the dipstick and goes to the next bulge in the dipstick, about 3/8' past the safe area. No comments from the peanut gallery, but is my dipstick too long? Are they just pumping in a recommended number of quarts?, or is this where the oil level should be? See the two pics.

[BuilderBob]

On my 2018 3500 Ram it is above the second bump.

[mlh]

Some vehicles you don’t put the dipstick in all the way in especially if it is a screw in. You shove in as far as it will go in without screwing it in. I don’t know how the Cummings engine is but this should be in your owners manual.
Lynwood

[vipermanden]

Wondering why they have the safe zone so far from the full position?

[vipermanden]

There is no screw in on the dipstick. You just push it in and it clicks when it is in all the way.

[Elevguy]

I am a member on turbo Diesel registry for Dodge Cummins owners. This question has been answered in their forums. The 12quart capacity is with a dry engine ie. no oil In galleys so if they are putting 12quarts in at oil change they are probably over filling slightly. Hope this clarifies the dip stick reading slightly over full

[vipermanden]

I'm thinking the engine will have oil all thru it, because I am sure they don't let it drain for more than a minute before they start filling it? If everyone is driving around like this, and it does not bother the engine, then I am fine. I have put about 48,000 miles on my engine so far, so it must be all right?

[Elevguy]

With a12quart sump capacity I’m sure it won’t hurt a thing

[Eagleback]

My 2013 and my 2017 cummins, Synthetic oil is NOT recommended unless in extreme cold temp where the ambient temp is 20 deg or lower. The dealer will not put it in and says it can void warranty.


I know im going to get slack from that statement but it does say it in the owners manual.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by Eagleback

My 2013 and my 2017 cummins, Synthetic oil is NOT recommended unless in extreme cold temp where the ambient temp is 20 deg or lower. The dealer will not put it in and says it can void warranty.


I know im going to get slack from that statement but it does say it in the owners manual.

Not in my manual ,nor the diesel supplement does it say what you are saying. What it does say is 5W-40 synthetic is recommended at below 0 degrees,
and 15W-40 above 0 degrees . Although 5W-40 can be run at the same temperatures above 0 degrees as the 15W-40 is ran at . In other words both can be run above 0 degrees , but only 5W-40 synthetic below 0 degrees .

The reason is cold weather starts at 0 or below.

[Eagleback]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

Not in my manual ,nor the diesel supplement does it say what you are saying. What it does say is 5W-40 synthetic is recommended at below 0 degrees,
and 15W-40 above 0 degrees . Although 5W-40 can be run at the same temperatures above 0 degrees as the 15W-40 is ran at . In other words both can be run above 0 degrees , but only 5W-40 synthetic below 0 degrees .

The reason is cold weather starts at 0 or below.

I must retract my statement as you are correct. I reread it and it does say recommend in cold temps. but why would the dealer say Not recommended and void warranty if used in normal temps?

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by Eagleback

I must retract my statement as you are correct. I reread it and it does say recommend in cold temps. but why would the dealer say Not recommended and void warranty if used in normal temps?

I don't know why the warranty thing, but it seems they are mixed up thinking on the 0 degrees, thinking only below 0, but its good for any temperature the 5W-40

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by Eagleback

My 2013 and my 2017 cummins, Synthetic oil is NOT recommended unless in extreme cold temp where the ambient temp is 20 deg or lower. The dealer will not put it in and says it can void warranty.


I know im going to get slack from that statement but it does say it in the owners manual.

When I've changed oil, 12 qts fills to the middle of the "safe" zone. That's including with a new filter. Also in my 2017 diesel supplement owners manual on page 179 it says synthetic oil may be used. I have always used the Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5w40 simply because it covers the entire temp range that I might find and meets all the requirements by Cummins........
CJ-4 and Cummins CES 20086 as well as the older CES 20081

[Sac Colorado]

Hi, I have a 2017 RAM 3500 4x4 with the 6.7 cummins and I've been running Shell T6 Rotella 5W40 full synthetic since the first oil change. I've attached page 179 from the "2017 RAM Diesel Supplement" document. I've highlighted the info about full synthetic usage. Your comment about the "dealer would void the warrantee" - they must not have read or ignored the RAM documentation. I'm sending this reply and info because I know a lot of cummins owners are running full synthetic and I don't want them worrying that they are doing anything wrong to their expensive diesel.

[K0LCB]

I had my oil changed at two different dealers. Both times it was over a gallon over full. The fill cap must be removed to drain oil, and it takes 30 minutes to drain. I drained mine into a 5 gallon bucket and it overflowed

[RoadRunnerTR21]

Originally Posted by K0LCB

I had my oil changed at two different dealers. Both times it was over a gallon over full. The fill cap must be removed to drain oil, and it takes 30 minutes to drain. I drained mine into a 5 gallon bucket and it overflowed

You better find a different dealer! Holy crap!

[mlh]

Originally Posted by K0LCB

I had my oil changed at two different dealers. Both times it was over a gallon over full. The fill cap must be removed to drain oil, and it takes 30 minutes to drain. I drained mine into a 5 gallon bucket and it overflowed

I think this is quite common. I have a 2.7 F150 and you haft to let it set for 15 minutes to let the oil drain through the engine. People crawl under them take the plug out when it almost quits draining and stick the plug back in. Then they dump 6 quarts in and now it’s 2 quarts over full. This is just what happened to your Cummings.
Lynwood

[jimcol]

First time I changed my oil in the 09 I allowed it to drain well and then put in the 3 gallons. My dip stick looked just like yours. Every oil change since I put in 11 quarts and check. Always at the top of the safe zone. Cummins mechanic told me you never get all the oil out of them and keep doing what I'm doing. Has worked for 137K miles. Bonus is every fourth oil change you only have to buy 2 gallons.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by vipermanden

Curious question here. I have had my oil changed numerous times by 3 different RAM dealerships, and the oil level on the dipstick is confusing. I typically have them change the full synthetic oil in my Cummins 6.7 HO turbo Diesel motor every 5,000 miles because I am mostly pulling my Montana. But look at the two pics, and the oil level is "Always" past the safe area on the dipstick and goes to the next bulge in the dipstick, about 3/8' past the safe area. No comments from the peanut gallery, but is my dipstick too long? Are they just pumping in a recommended number of quarts?, or is this where the oil level should be? See the two pics.

This topic has been beaten to death on some of the diesel forums. I have a 2014 3500 Ram 6.7 Cummins .

I change my own oil, and have let it drain for a half hour, and have let it drain overnight. The level on the dipstick has always been right at , or no more then a 1/16" ,if that, over the second hump on the dipstick when the oil is changed , which to me is the full mark, the second hump . Anything in-between the two humps is okay. Whether being overfull is okay, it sound like its okay on your truck if in reality it is overfull .

Why some are get different readings is beyond me. I put back in 3 gallons ( 12 quarts ) Part of one one goes in the new filter before replacing, but always just the 3 gallons.

One member on a diesel forum went as far as only putting in 11*5/8 quarts because it showed slightly over the full mark.

[vipermanden]

Eagleback, I have put full synthetic in every vehicle I have ever owned, including the Viper and two different diesel trucks etc. All of the big semis get twice or more life out of their engines using full synthetic. Three different dealers did not tell me I should not put full synthetic in my 2016 6.7 HO turbo diesel Cummins engine? Where and what does it say exactly in the manual about not using full synthetic oil? The full synthetic I use is made specifically for diesel engines and is the product that RAM stocks.