How often do you change 'em?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 255
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I check it every oil change and if it's nasty I change it. Otherwise I change every other oil change. Once I started running biodiesel I had to change it a couple of times but I think most of the crud is out of the fuel system now so it's back to every other oil change which is 10K miles.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
Before the Dahl, it was every 7500 miles. Probably overkill, but I like to play it safe. But, like Pop said, after the Dahl, I probably won't need to change it, but will do so probably once a year, 15,000 miles or so.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 560
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From: San Diego, CA
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
When the power starts to drop off noticibly.
I suppose I could put a vacuum gauge on it, but the reading varies with flow, so I'd have to mount it in the cab somewhere I could see it while at speed. So, I ainna' gonna' do it.
Seat of the pants "feel" gets it changed.
Seriously, if I were going to change it on a time/milage schedule, it would likely be something like every year/15,000 miles. But I can't see doing it that way, as I can use a LOT of fuel from OTR fuel stops, all of which is pretty clean, or I can some drinkwater back-woods crud that clogs it in a single tank.
So I change it when it's needed. They call that "on-condition".
Pop
I suppose I could put a vacuum gauge on it, but the reading varies with flow, so I'd have to mount it in the cab somewhere I could see it while at speed. So, I ainna' gonna' do it.
Seat of the pants "feel" gets it changed.
Seriously, if I were going to change it on a time/milage schedule, it would likely be something like every year/15,000 miles. But I can't see doing it that way, as I can use a LOT of fuel from OTR fuel stops, all of which is pretty clean, or I can some drinkwater back-woods crud that clogs it in a single tank.
So I change it when it's needed. They call that "on-condition".
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Mar 26, 2006 at 08:40 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
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From: memphis
When my pre-pump filter gets dirty my truck make more noise like a cold diesel in the morning. I'm still running the cheap see thru auto filters because i like to see whats going on in there. Extra $3-4 every oil change ~5k miles.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
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From: NW Wyoming
Once a year
Every September (usually 10-12K). I make sure they are good for the winter. Never had a gel-up and don't want one either. I do only buy diesel from commercial trucking centers though. If I bought at the smaller mom & pop stations I'd probably change 'em a bit more often...less chance of dirty or watery fuel or settling issues at the high fuel turnover places.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
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From: Griswold, CT
Every oil change. I went about 10k the first time after I got the truck and it was nasty, black, and looked clogged. Every one I have pulled out since has been a little less dirty. I figure a filter is cheaper than engine problems - even if it is ok a little longer.