oil Change

Eagle Andy · September 22, 2011, 12:23:42 PM

OK for all you motor heads out there. Last Dec before i was going to go to the Q I serviced the bus did all normal stuff grease any and all checks, Well as luck would have it we stayed in Montana and could not make it. So this summer made a couple 600 mile round trips and all was well bus ran great. I'm like some and believe and ounce of per vention is worth a pound of cure of how ever it goes

Again we are planning on going south to the Q this Jan and I'm thinking I should change the oil while it's still nice. So any thoughts am I being to anal it's 3000 miles round trip for us to the Q and back to Montana. Thanks for any and all thoughts Andy

wal1809 · September 22, 2011, 01:38:29 PM

I would change it when you get back

bobofthenorth · September 22, 2011, 03:40:36 PM

I wouldn't change it but if you're really worried about it warm the bus up good and pull a sample. Have the sample tested. Likely they'll tell you to keep driving.

mugsytrpt · September 22, 2011, 04:04:27 PM

I would wait. These things aren't like the cars where we need to go only about 3k between oil changes. I have always been told about 10k at the least. Good luck. Always remember....no matter what advice any of us may give. It is your bus......do what you feel is best for your bus. That is what makes difference. You are happy with whatever the decision is...one way or the other.

James

TomC · September 22, 2011, 04:05:43 PM

One way to see if the oil is to carboned up is to pull the dip stick, and rub the oil off in between your fingers. Rub the oil between your fingers and if you see your skin color reappear, it isn't to carboned up yet. If you rub your fingers and your skin stays black with carbon-time to change. Just a cheap way of initially doing a check-still an official oil test with read out is the best. Good Luck, TomC

Eagle Andy · September 22, 2011, 05:05:14 PM

Thanks to all , some good thoughts for sure

Dreamscape · September 23, 2011, 04:59:03 AM

I thought that you just add oil as they tend to bleed a bit!

Good luck Andy, hope you make it this year. We are considering it, might just fly out in the wife's caddy and camp out in the trunk!

thejumpsuitman · September 23, 2011, 07:02:52 AM

Quote from: Dreamscape on September 23, 2011, 04:59:03 AM
I thought that you just add oil as they tend to bleed a bit!

Good luck Andy, hope you make it this year. We are considering it, might just fly out in the wife's caddy and camp out in the trunk!

I have always wondered how much (if any) life is bought between oil changes by adding a fresh gallon every 1,000 miles or so as the engine uses or leaks it. Figure in a way you have actually changed all your oil by the time an oil change is scheduled.

Barn Owl · September 24, 2011, 04:48:53 PM

Seeing how an oil change cost hundreds now it is well worth testing it to see if it really needs changing. As a bonus you get to see how your engine is wearing. On my light traveling years I stretch the oil change to every two if the reports come back saying the oil is good.