barracuda

i gotta pick up a filter for an 03'....is it the same as the prior year filters? (fleetguard)

TXRAM2

03-Stratapore LF16035, Standard LF3972.<br>I think the only difference is the 03 filter has gripper surface on bottom edge for removal from underneath.<br>hth

bulabula

Yep. '02 version works great too; I've got one on my truck right now.

angleiron

Does Mobil 1 make an oil filter for the new H.O motors (03')?

pwabbott

Stick with Fleetguard (Cummins) or Mopar. Be sure it meets the specs for the truck.

angleiron

I am going to with Mobil 1 synthetic oil after the 5000 mile break-in, and want to go with a good oil filter. Amsoil has a good filter, but they have to be ordered. Mobil 1 has been ranked 2nd as far as being able to filter the oil and can be bought at Autozone.<br><br>Is Fleetguad the same quality filter as one from Amsoil or Mobil 1?

Shovelhead

Angleiron, You might want to wait a few thousand miles more to make the synthetic switch.
The Cummins usually isn't &quot;Broken-In&quot; for at least 12-15,000 miles.
From Cummins.com FAQ section:
How many miles does the Cummins engine require for break-in?


In general, 5000 miles. This depends on the type of driving the truck is subject to; hauling or towing a load will shorten the break-in period. Light duty hauling or &quot;babying&quot; the engine can delay full engine break-in for up-to 20,000 miles.

Light duty driving= normal non-loaded daily driving.
Also make sure the oil you decide to use is rated for Diesel Engines. There is a difference.

Commatoze

Angleiron, do not, repeat, do not use Mobil1 in your crankcase. Mobil1 has an API rating of CF. Your engine requires API CI-4 oil. If you want to use a Mobil synthetic, and I like them myself, use Mobil Delvac1. It's a bit harder to find though, and more expensive than the 5 quart Mobil1 jugs found at Wal-Mart.

angleiron

I meant to write Delvac 1, I was just being lazy with my typing. There are a few stores in my area that sells Delvac 1, so it is not too hard for me to find. It is just trying to get set up with a good filter to compliment the oil being used.

Commatoze

OK, you're good then. As for filters, I use the Fleetguard Stratapore, and buy them by the case online from Geno's Garage. Fleetguard is an arm of Cummins.

pwabbott

angleiron,<br><br>Keep in mind that using synthetic does not lengthen the oil change interval. As discussed previously in this forum Schedule &quot;B&quot; 7500 miles for federal emissions engines, 3750 miles for the CARB emissions engines now required in about 5 states. <br><br>I am due for 4th change. At each change my oil has been significantly cleaner than the previous. This is an indication that my engine is still breaking in, now at 15K miles. I have towed 10.8K# 5er over 5000 miles on my 2003. Use Dino Oil for at least 10K miles as recommended or you may still have a partially broken in engine at 30K miles. Make sure you use CI-4 oil always, no exceptions.

angleiron

Why do you think that extended oil change intervals cannot be possible? The manufacturers of synthetic oils (Mobil/Amsoil) each state that with their filters you could go well beyond what is required with dino oil. I plan on changing my oil every 7500 miles with the Delvac 1, regardless if I tow or not.<br><br>I just came from being a d-max owner, and the rule at that time was that the motor would be broken in at 5000 miles...and it was O.K. to switch to a synthetic (for which I did). Is the cummins any different (obviously there are) from the others that require a much longer break-in period?<br><br>I just went over 500 miles, and tomorrow I head off for vacation and will be towing a 4500# boat for 360 miles one way. I suspect that when it is all said and done, I will put about 1000 miles towing in the next week. Granted, this is the weight that some of you guys lug around...but I am sure that it will help. So with this in mind, should I still be looking at 10-12000 miles before switching to a synthetic?

Commatoze

[quote author=angleiron link=board=20;threadid=15743;start=0#148528 date=1055421454]
........should I still be looking at 10-12000 miles before switching to a synthetic?
[/quote]

I think you're in the ballpark. Also, that's a lot of Delvac1 to dump at only 7500 miles. In order to maintain your engine warranty, you have to adhere to the DC maintenance schedule so extended drains aren't an option if you want to retain your warranty. A base stock oil will do fine if you're going to change it at 7500 miles, so why not save yourself a lot of money and use one of the many fine dino oils available to you? Again, I use synthetic in my differentials and in the crankcase of my automobiles, but with doing nearly 8,000 every 3 months with the truck, I can't justify the $70 dollars it would cost to go with a true synthetic like Moibil Delvac1. Instead, I use Rotella Synthetic, a highly refined base stock oil that meets synthetic specs and can be thus labeled as &quot;synthetic&quot;. At 13 bucks a gallon, it's a little easier on the budget when you change it out at 7500 intervals as I do.

angleiron

That sounds like a good idea (Rotella Syn) as my local Walmart has this stuff all of the time. What about a good oil filter (as this is what matters the most in all of this)?

SuperGewl

Commatoze, you sure pay alot for that oil. I get AMSOIL for $15 a gallon and its much much better and a true sythetic. I am however waiting on AMSOIL to make a oil filter for the 03 CTD. Just for heads up you can install a by-pass system and extend your oil changes to about 25k miles of course you need to change the filters and have oil analysis done perodically.