Oil changes

[ToddA1]

Everyone still adhering to the 3,000 mile oil/filter change schedule?  I'm not sure if today's oils made that number a thing of the past; maybe I can squeeze another 1 or 2 thousand out of it?

I run standard Dino oil, although in a diesel grade. 

-Todd

[rabbitman]

I pretty much stick to 3000 with delo 400.

[ORCoaster]

3000 miles then change it.  That is 3 months driving.  Easy to remember and worth the extra change every year.  Using Rottella.  15-40  Do the filter as well.  Clean is good for oil.

[nathan_b]

idi diesels are fine on 5k intervals, 3k is too short for a diesel. I run rotella 10w30 non syn for break in, and am now on pensosin 5w40syn. Does not seem excessively dirty, just use a good filter.

[ToddA1]

What makes you say that 3k is too short?

I always use a quality oil whether it's Delo 400, Delvac 1300, Rotella, etc.; I'm not brand loyal, but I buy what's on sale, if there's a sale. Mann or Mahle filters are used at every oil change.

I've read people on other forums say they'll go up to 10k, when using a Frantz filter, and that's what spurred the question.  I bought a Frantz a while ago, but haven't installed it, yet.

-Todd

[nathan_b]

because in combustion motors fuel gets into the oil, its a fact of life. Gasoline does not lubricate, diesel does. Therefore diesel oil loses less lubrication when contaminated with fuel than gas motors and can have a longer service life. Also why diesel motors just plain last longer.

[R.O.R-2.0]

because in combustion motors fuel gets into the oil, its a fact of life. Gasoline does not lubricate, diesel does. Therefore diesel oil loses less lubrication when contaminated with fuel than gas motors and can have a longer service life. Also why diesel motors just plain last longer.

the oil in a diesel never gets fuel contaminated in a properly working engine..

diesel oil gets more soot in it than anything else.. thats why you can change the oil on your diesel, and 5 minutes later with fresh oil its just as black as the oil you drained..

usually, no fuel gets in the lubrication oil. thats why diesels last so much longer. and the fact that the fuel isnt injected till TDC, so there is no solvent (fuel) washing the lubrication off the cylinder walls all the time..

and i kinda feel retarded saying this, but you CAN drive a VW 10k miles between oil changes. i just did it.

would i ever do it again? not a snow balls chance in hell.. im not even sure what that was that i drained out of my engine, but it was not oil. it was more like coal sludge. i really feel like an idiot for neglecting my engine for 6k miles, but i was broke, and things needed to get done..

anyways, these engines will run with completely worn out oil just fine.. i just wouldnt suggest it..

[clbanman]

We do a lot of oil particle count testing but do not do so on diesel engines because the soot prevents the particle count machine from functioning.   This is on an engine with 8-10 hours on it.   My concern with extended change intervals would be wear from the soot.  Does it cause wear?  I'm not sure but as previously mentioned by R.O.R.,  it definitely changes the oil consistency.   The one time I would be willing to extend change intervals would be if I was using a bypass oil filter.   

[R.O.R-2.0]

the oil i drained out of my engine last week, it sheened off the drain plug like water beads up and sheens off your windshield after a fresh rain-x treatment..

it was more like water, than oil, but thick like syrup.. i really had no idea that oil could get so worn out in such a short period (relatively) of time..

i drove my toyota for way too long once, like 12-15k miles on one oil change, but i had 15w40 in there, and a nice big filter. when i drained that oil, it wasnt even completely black, and it still looked/smelled/felt like oil. i imagine that has something to do with the fact that gassers are alot easier on their oil. no 24:1 compression to deal with, or soot from the fuel burning..

[rabbitman]

My oil pressure gauge even acts different with fresh oil, the needle bounces all over when the relief valve opens and closes. It only takes like  5 minutes to get normal.

Soot is the reason oil gets black, and that soot is abrasive so once you get too much in the oil it'll wear things out faster.

I have a frantz filter but haven't installed it yet so can't comment.......but I think it's supposed to trap soot.

[R.O.R-2.0]

i just need to get a frantz..

amsoil bypass filters are also a good deal, ~$200 for a complete kit.. not specifically for our VWs, but im sure it will work.

[ToddA1]

I was doing some reading last night, and there are a lot of variables that I never considered.  Some were towing, trip length, turbos, dust/dirt conditions, etc..

Most people that were doing extended change intervals were running some type of bypass filter set-up, whether Frantz, Amsoil, etc.  A lot of these guys were found in Ford Powerstroke, Cummins, and other big diesel forums. 

Anywho, these guys were getting regular oil analysis, too.  Some guys who did mainly highway driving were getting results that stated they could keep driving on oil that was already 12-15K miles old.  Other results mentioned oil that had totally acceptable lubricating quality, but was contaminated with coked oil or other abrasive media that warranted a change.

Personally, I have a 15 minute commute to work, so I'll probably stick to 3k, maybe 4k intervals, until I add the Frantz.  Reason being, the oil never/barely reaches full operating temperature, and the moisture that's not cooked out, degrades the oil faster.

The filters in the Frantz would still require changing about every 3.5K, but I'll probably shell out the $25 per test, just to get an idea where I stand.

-Todd

[RabbitJockey]

i usually go 4k miles on mine, my dad puts nearly 7500 on his full synthetic oil which is rated for me in his 85 td.  he does do an oil change half way through.  oil has come a long way, and i don't feel bad doing 4k miles, honestly i think i could do way more than that, but i'd rather be safe than sorry.  i don't think that the soot in the oil really effects anything, diesels are known for lasting as long and generally much longer than gas cars.

[Vangruver]

i usually go 4k miles on mine, my dad puts nearly 7500 on his full synthetic oil which is rated for me in his 85 td.  he does do an oil change half way through.  oil has come a long way, and i don't feel bad doing 4k miles, honestly i think i could do way more than that, but i'd rather be safe than sorry.  i don't think that the soot in the oil really effects anything, diesels are known for lasting as long and generally much longer than gas cars.

so to reiterate, you have the oil changed, but not the filter at 2000 miles? then the filter with oil at 4000 miles?

I'm on the border of needing to change my oil, but i've only driven 3000 miles on mine [5000 km] the oil is still reasonably full according to the dip stick, and other than that it's still reasonably smooth.

I think i may consider holding out for another 1000 miles [1600km] and see how it pans out.

[ToddA1]

I think he means his dad changes the filter, halfway through the 7,500 mi. interval.

-Todd