Oil Change Question
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Change Question
I just got my 95 psd a little while ago and i want to try and change my own oil. I have a couple of questions which are gonna sound stupid but never done it before
1. How do you get the oil cap off the valve cover. Its a recessed cap with the threds or groves in it. Do you need a special tool for it or pry it up?
2. I've been reading that between 12 and 15qts is what the engine takes, is this right for my truck.
3. Is a 15qt oil drain pan big enough, if not what else do you use
4. I am planning on using regular Rotella oil because of price. I dont know if synthetic oil was ever used in the truck before. Is it ok to switch to synthetic oil and would you. I have 129k miles on it
1. How do you get the oil cap off the valve cover. Its a recessed cap with the threds or groves in it. Do you need a special tool for it or pry it up?
2. I've been reading that between 12 and 15qts is what the engine takes, is this right for my truck.
3. Is a 15qt oil drain pan big enough, if not what else do you use
4. I am planning on using regular Rotella oil because of price. I dont know if synthetic oil was ever used in the truck before. Is it ok to switch to synthetic oil and would you. I have 129k miles on it
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Welcome to the forum, Rocco!
Let take your questions one at a time, eh?
It's threaded on. Turn counterclockwise to remove. It sounds like it might be on pretty tight, but that's the method.
14 qts, including the filter. I put about 1.5 qts into the filter before putting it on the engine, and add the rest to the top, assuming you can get the cap off. 
Personally, I use a five gallon bucket, but my truck is pretty tall, so I don't have any trouble getting it under the truck. My truck is tall enough that my Golden Retriever can walk underneath without hitting.
Rotella is a good choice, and so would be Delo. Both are excellent, and both have their supporters on the forum. As for switching to synthetic, I've heard that some people have had leak issues after changing, and since the cost of synthetic is so high, I'd get hooked up with a bypass system which would allow you to extend the change interval first before making the switch, but that's just me.
I hope this helps.
Let take your questions one at a time, eh?
1. How do you get the oil cap off the valve cover. Its a recessed cap with the threds or groves in it. Do you need a special tool for it or pry it up?
2. I've been reading that between 12 and 15qts is what the engine takes, is this right for my truck.
3. Is a 15qt oil drain pan big enough, if not what else do you use
4. I am planning on using regular Rotella oil because of price. I dont know if synthetic oil was ever used in the truck before. Is it ok to switch to synthetic oil and would you. I have 129k miles on it
I hope this helps.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 13
From: west plains spokane,wa
I had run dino rotella 15-40 the last couple years in my 97 psd, just switched
to synthetic rotella last week. Too soon to tell about mileage but it does start
a lot smoother in colder temps. Haven't noticed any leaks,still at the full mark.
Truck has 99k. The other advantage (for me anyway) is longer oil change
intervals, I had changed oil every 3k with the dino and plan to go 6-7k with
the synth. It might be a little soon on the intervals but it's what I'm comfortable with.
to synthetic rotella last week. Too soon to tell about mileage but it does start
a lot smoother in colder temps. Haven't noticed any leaks,still at the full mark.
Truck has 99k. The other advantage (for me anyway) is longer oil change
intervals, I had changed oil every 3k with the dino and plan to go 6-7k with
the synth. It might be a little soon on the intervals but it's what I'm comfortable with.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Roaring Branch, PA
http://www.oilguard.com/ , http://www.gulfcoastfilters.com/prod...il_filters.htm , http://www.dieselsitetoo.com/index.a...PROD&ProdID=49
I put exactly 1 qt. in my filter before instalation and exactly 14 qts. in the top. That puts mine right on the full line on the dipstick after start up and cool down.
I put exactly 1 qt. in my filter before instalation and exactly 14 qts. in the top. That puts mine right on the full line on the dipstick after start up and cool down.
