Oil consumption ... A few questions.

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by steadfasttrucker, May 5, 2015.

  1. steadfasttrucker

    steadfasttrucker Light Load Member

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    Jul 7, 2014
    South, Florida
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    Cummins motor on a 2012 ken. At about 270k i had received the truck. Recently, i noticed the oil near the low mark of the crosshatch and added a quart. Drove, next day looked like it didn't move. Added a quart and a half. Not much different after that drive day. Added a half quart and noticed instantly a climb on the dipstick so i saved the bit left in the gallon. This seemed to hold for about 2.5k. Truck is now at 282k.

    I have not seen any signs of leak on the engine frame or ground below.

    Q: is it common to have to add a gallon to get oil level to climb the dipstick post fill? Was my one quart just not enough to transverse the crosshatches on the stick?

    what is the quantity to add from low end croashatch to the end of it?

    Is this oil adding happening prematurely or is it typical given the mileage and driver turnover on that truck?

    Is the engine oil burning away for some reason? Could it be wear from revs or lugs?

    What is your solution?

    thanks.
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    When the oil is down to the add mark that means it is one gallon low. Not quarts. We do gallons in big trucks.
     
    Starboyjim Thanks this.
  4. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    what a big truck has qts? lol wel MAYBE the PS resivoir lol
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Always check the oil at the start of the day when the engine is stone cold and on a level surface. Oil level will never be the same once the engine is ran due to oil being splashed every where inside. Oil also expands in volume when hot, so checking it at the end of the day, even if the engine sits for 1/2 hour, will still lead to inaccurate checks. Always consult the operator manual as to how much to add, but most are about a gallon, (3-4 litres here in Canada). One litre will not make much of a noticeable increase. We usually add 2 or 3 litres at a time. An engine will burn oil of low quality. Engines will burn oil when the level is over full. Engines will burn oil when the intervals are extended. Cummins had a problem with faulty liners in the age range of your truck where the piston rings were not seating properly due to the liners not being perfectly round. This lead to oil consumption. Due to DPFs and crankcase filters it is hard to see external signs of excessive blowby and/or oil burning. Keep track of your oil consumption. If you find you are consistently adding all the time, I would call a Cummins dealer and see if there is any warranty for that and follow their oil consumption reporting guidelines. There were a lot of Cummins out there that needed new liners and pistons because of that problem. Cummins is well aware of it.
     
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