Are oil changes on Cummins diesels really expensive? I know they hold more oil but how much more and do they have two filters? Thanks

 

2003 uses 12 quarts and one filter. All years are one filter, but number of quarts varies from (if I remember correctly) a minimum of 10 quarts to a maximum of 12. A good quality filter will run 7 to 9 bucks. You can use a good quality dino oil, a lot of members here use Rotella T or Delo, I use Valvoline Premium Blue, all three are available at Wal Mart. Others prefer synthetic which comes with a significant increase in cost, popular synthetics are Delvac 1300, Rotella (it comes both ways) and Amsoil. Do not buy your filters from the Dodge dealer, buy them online from somewhere like Geno's Garage or your local Cummins dealer, most here prefer Fleetguard Stratapore filters.

 

It's not that bad. My 24v holds 11 quarts and has a single full-flow oil filter. If using a dino oil, say Mobil Delvac 1300 which is $5.88 per gallon at the local Wal-Mart here X3 = $17.64.<br>Chevron Delo 400 is $6.17 per gallon, and Shell Rotella T is $6.27 per gallon at the same store. According to my owner's manual, recommended drain intervals are 7,500 miles normal driving, and 3,750 miles severe service.<br><br>For the filter, I use the Fleetguard Stratapore which costs about $9. A good quality oil filter is important on these engines in my opinion. Don't go cheap here, ie Fram.

 

Just wondering if anyone uses K&amp;N Oil Filters. I am getting ready to try them I have been using Fleetguard for 7 years but am tired of the oil leaks after about 1500 - 2000 miles

 

i have used the cummins filter and it worked ok.last time i went into cummins they would not let me buy at my companys price so i went to a oil filter service place that sells commercial grade filter and saved a few bucks.i only do ever other one because i have the now gone &quot;life time oil change&quot;.If i didn't it would be about $42. a pop

 

I use a Napa oil filter and Delo oil. A few years back I found out that Napa and Baldwin filters are manufactured the same, and the former is less expensive. I chose this combination because all the trucking and construction companies I knew used the Baldin, Delo combination or Napa, Delo combination. The cost was about $22.00, not too bad.

 

[quote author=Nevada link=board=8;threadid=12620;start=0#119208 date=1048367108]<br>Others prefer synthetic which comes with a significant increase in cost, popular synthetics are Delvac 1300, Rotella (it comes both ways) and Amsoil. [/quote]<br><br>FWIW, the Delvac 1300 is actually a dino oil.... The Delvac1 is the synthetic oil. ;D

 

[quote author=Cumminsdude link=board=8;threadid=12620;start=0#119205 date=1048366075]
Are oil changes on Cummins diesels really expensive?
[/quote]
Short answer is No, not if you do it yourself. You can save some money by purchasing your oil at Wally World (as an example) by the gallon (get three jugs) and purchase your filters online or at a Cummins Power Store.

I have heard where the dealers sometimes charge a pretty stiff fee for the honor of changing your oil. I also don't do the &quot;30-minute oil change quicky things&quot;. But I don't know what is really expensive for you either - you wanna CTD, you gotta buy 3 gallons of oil and a filter.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=8;threadid=12620;start=0#141923 date=1053881277]
But I don't know what is really expensive for you either - you wanna CTD, you gotta buy 3 gallons of oil and a filter.
[/quote]

And something big enough to catch all the old oil as it drains out.
Nothing like using the oil drain pan that &quot;worked just fine before&quot;, only to have it overflow down the driveway when the CTD is only half drained. : .


phox

 

phox did u do it ?? i bought a 5 gallon bucket the same time i bought my oil ( shell rotella ) at the tractorsupply store just incase..... works great slides right under the oil pan...( still chuckling over the sight of that happening ) sorry man, scott

 

[quote author=dieselcrazy link=board=8;threadid=12620;start=0#142083 date=1053917146]<br> phox did u do it ?? i bought a 5 gallon bucket the same time i bought my oil ( shell rotella ) at the tractorsupply store just incase..... works great slides right under the oil pan...( still chuckling over the sight of that happening ) sorry man, scott<br>[/quote]<br><br>No, I've done all mine so far at the Dealer.<br>Don't have the space, time, or patience to do it myself yet.<br><br>Just pictured it in my mind.<br><br>phox

 

I've been using Delo from the begining but I'm trying different filters. I used K&amp;N gold filters at first, now I'm using Wix. Gonna try Baldwin next. I think they are all good filters, tight pleats sturdy construction.

 

Local Dodge Dealer wants $55.00 for LOF<br>Local Quick Lube wants $72.00 for LOF<br>So I do it myself. <br><br>I use Delo 400 and Fleetgaurd oil filter and it costs me about $24.00 per LOF.<br><br>I really don't trust anyone else to service my truck. <br>

 

BTW, If you get the 16qt. oil drain pan, DON&quot;T forget to pop the vent open : Luckly my drive is level and I always put down a tarp. It only took 3 old T-shirts to soak it up!! :-[<br><br> You can actually plug the drain hole with your index finger while you fish around in the BLACK Slick stuff for the plug when you drop it!! But actually I figured what was wrong and spun the pan around and popped the vent! lol SHHHHHH! Don't tell The Wifey or my changing days will be over!! :-X

 

FYI NAPA Gold filters are Wix premium line, extra pleats and all the good stuff. NAPA Silver are regular Wix. NAPA #s are Wix #s without the first digit ie 5 on oil filters.