Oil and Filters - D-max

[mark]

No that I've had my "new" truck for a month or so, time for me to do some preventative maintenance.

• Motor Oil and Filter Change. - sounds like about 11 qts
• Looks like I should atleast change the tranny spin-on filter, if not do a quick fluid drain and fill. Ideally I'd drop the pan and change that filter too, but thats more work than I have time for right now. - sounds like about 2.5 gallons with just a drain and fill, 4+ with a flush.
• I'd like to change the fuel filter as well, as I have no idea when that was last done and is seems like my millage has been getting a little worse each tank.
• Probably should drain and fill the t-case, especially since its the same fluid as the tranny.
• For right now I'm just thinking check the fluid in the diffs, I'd like to change it another day.

What are some recommendations on fluid and filter choices, where to get them and what should I be looking at price wise?

Delo 400 would be my first thought on motor oil, as I can get it pretty cheap and easy at Costco. But I did notice Shell/Rotella at Shuckes this morning and it wasn't priced bad. Also planning a little 2-stroke oil (in the fuel)

A full batch of synthetics would be nice, but I don't know if I'm ready for that $tep just yet. But if its the right move...

What are folks thoughts and recommendations about oil testing? Little web searching strikes me as the most logical idea to get best bang and $ out of oil changes, especially if your running $yntetic.


And don't say look at Diesel Place. I have a window open there right now and am playing the search game in between work projects, but there is Information and Opinion overload there, taking a little while to filter it all out.

Truck is a '04 LLY, it will probably be getting 15K or so a year. Mostly city/short drives, empty to mid loads with the occasional full bed of heavy trailer.

 

[KarlVP]

I run delo in my 03LB7. Works great lasts long time. I know it says the oil life is practically "forever" if you go off of the instrument panel reccomendation, but I change mine every 3000 to 4000 miles. My engine takes 2.5 gallons =10 quarts. I buy 2 one gallon jugs and 2 quarts. Or you can get one case of oil and that does one oil change. Filter is simple; Wix brand = the best.

Fuel filter I change every 10K miles. Watch out for the water in fuel sensor, if you snap the wires off, it is a PITA dealership part (happened to me) but nothing bad will happen if you snap the wires off. Bleeding the fuel system is easy after the filter change. Crack the little plastic bleeder screw open and pump away using the plunger in the filter housing. Sometimes up to 60 or so pumps to prime the filter again. Just keep going till you get some fuel out of the screw then tighten it.

I replace the spin on tranny filter every oil change. It's cheap and you only lose about a quart of fluid doing it. DONT FORGET TO REMOVE THE MAGNET OFF THE OLD SPIN ON FILTER AND PUT IT ON THE NEW ONE. Most guys with the allison 1000 tranny are switching over to TranSynd fluid. I have not done this yet, but plan to when I replace the internal filter. There is a service bulletin on the Allison website regarding our transmissions and what fluid to use. TranSynd users are logging over 250K miles with no break down of the fluid.

Havent done the T-case yet but that isn't rocket science. Haven't done the diffs either and they are way overdue.

I don't get my fluids tested, because fluid changes are cheap insurance. A well maintained vehicle will last you a long time. A well maintained dirtymax will last you even longer. :awesomework:

 

[benw1]

My engine takes 2.5 gallons =12 quarts. I buy 2 one gallon jugs and 2 quarts. Or you can get one case of oil and that does one oil change.

How many quarts are in a gallon?

 

[crash2]

10 quarts in non comercial with delco filters :awesomework:

 

[crazybluerider1]

2.5 gallons =12 quarts.

:scratchhead:

 

[bigdog165511]

My lly takes 10 qts with the filter

 

[KarlVP]

How many quarts are in a gallon?

Whoops. My math was WAY off. I know there are 4 quarts in a gallon.

Editing right meow.

 

[KarlVP]

:scratchhead:

I stand retarded.

Please excuse me. I all along meant 10 quarts or 2 gallon jugs and 2 quarts.

 

[ain'tstuckjustresting]

I would flush the hydroboost too. I did mine at the last oil change and it was blacker than Colie's asshole. 3pts p/s fluid and a bucket.

 

[skinny_pedal]

In my lb7 I always just pour 3 gallons in and call it a day. Always use Rotella 15w-40

 

[Rdub_ewor]

10 qts of delo400 15-40 here.

I usually use an ac/delco on the fuel filter, Allison oem on the tranny, and a napa on the engine.

 

[Avanteone]

Same as most, Delo 15W40, every 5k miles. I change fuel filter every other oil change. I flushed the trans. and changed the spin-on filter about 10k ago. Rear diff is synthetic already, haven't touched it or t-case. I have been using Wix for all the filters, but thinking of switching to Delco fuel filter as I plugged one BEFORE my normal service interval a couple of times ago.

J