Oil mystery

[shewolf]

Graywolf has been puzzling over the Freightliner dump truck he is driving. The owner told him he would need to check the oil often because the nearly new engine was using about a gallon of oil a day. :yikes:

There are no obvious oil leaks and the truck is not smoking excessively. Hubby began to suspect someone was overfilling the truck, causing it to throw the oil out. After a few more days of driving the truck and finding it a gallon low at the end of the day he wasn't so sure.

One day he put off pouring in the oil until the next morning. He went to work, added a gallon of oil, then checked the level and it showed to be a gallon OVER. :yikes: He says in the evening when the truck is hot, it shows to be a gallon low but after sitting overnight the truck will show full.

Could something be causing the oil to take an abnormally long time to drain out of the top of the engine? I told Hubby he needed to make sure the boss isn't double checking him and adding oil after he leaves in the evening. :D

[Big_Dave]

How long does he wait after shutting it down in the evenings before checking the oil?

30 minutes should be sufficient time for the majority of the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

Another thing, make sure he wipes off the dipstick prior to checking the oil.

Here's the proper sequence for checking oil after the truck has sat for a while;
1. Pull dipstick and wipe it off.
2. Insert dipstick fully and remove.
3. Check oil level on dipstick.
4. Add oil if necessary.

[shewolf]

How long does he wait after shutting it down in the evenings before checking the oil?


I'm sure he doesn't wait 30 minutes since he is on the clock, probably 5-15, while he is fueling the truck at the end of the day, like he was used to doing OTR.

He always wipes the dipstick off and reinserts it to check the oil. I know that since he taught me how to check oil in the car many years ago. :D

[Capt._Chaos]

It's best to check the oil when the engine is cold (like after being shut off overnight).

If the engine is a Detroit, it has been said that it takes at least 15 minutes after engine shutdown for the oil level in the pan to stabilize.

As far as new engines in new trucks go, they often use a bit of oil for the first 100,000 miles until the piston rings are worn in (seated).

[shewolf]

Thanks guys for the info. I will tell him to just wait until morning to check the oil and go by that from now on.

And IF the boss is going behind him and topping off the oil he is doing a fine job, he can keep it up. :D

[tommy]

also something to consider is that some Diesel engines have a level in which they seem to like to be at, how do I say this ,

I have had them where they like to be a qt. or 2 low and run at that level for some reason.

[maxmiddle]

My truck: Cat C-15

It takes about 30 minutes for all the oil to drain down to where it can be accurately checked.

Been that way since the truck was new. Has 933K and still that way.

Previous truck: Cat 3406E would not keep the top half gallon in. Would spit it out and then was happy.