03 Cummins, 5,500 miles, Rotella 15w40

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Background: 2003 Dodge 3500 - Cummins 24V - 6 spd - 4 door - 4x4 - Dually (Modifications: S&B Intake System & Straight Pipe)

After re-reviewing our records, it actually was towing 8,000-12,000 pounds for almost 1,000 miles with a goose-neck and bumper trailer. I originally posted that it towed for around 500 miles. My Brother owns the truck and was semi-interested in extending his OCI. I told him to go 8,000 miles and then do a UOA but he wanted to go around 5,000 miles. I see no reason to switch oil or filters.

Oil - Shell Rotella Triple Protection 15w40
Oil filter - Mopar
Air Filter - S&B Intake System
Miles on unit @ test - 103,700
Miles on oil - 5,500
Make up oil - 0

Blackstone Comments: Universal averages show typical wear metals for this type of engine after 7,000 miles on the oil. You have run this oil 5,500 miles and all wear was around average levels. Despite the modified intake system, the low silicon reading indicates air filtration is good and no outside contamination (dirt) is getting through. Insolubles were low at 0.2% showing good oil filtration. The TBN read strong at 6.3, lots of active additive left. Given the nice wear and solid, TBN, we think you could easily make it to 10,000 miles. Start with 8,000 miles for now and check back.


Actual numbers on left & Universal averages on right:

Aluminum 2/3
Chromium 1/2
Iron 18/23
Copper 2/4
Lead 3/2
Tin 2/1
Molybdenum 2/28
Nickel 0/0
Manganese 0/1
Silver 1/0
Titanium 0/0
Potassium 8/4
Boron 25/80
Silicon 3/7
Sodium 3/4
Calcium 2394/2704
Magnesium 9/253
Phosphorus 1027/1081
Zinc 1248/1278
Barium 0/1

SUS Viscosity @ 210*F - 75.3/69-80
cST Viscosity @ 100*C - 14.34/12.7-15.8
Flashpoint in *F - 430/>410
Fuel % - Antifreeze % - 0.0/0.0
Water - 0.0/0.0
Insolubles % - 0.2/0.6
TBN - 6.3
 
If the oil was not dumped at sample time, I'd run this at least up to 8k miles, and sample again, with an eye on 10k miles!

The wear is essentially right at "average", and there are no contaminats shown, and the vis is fine. TBN obviously has much more distance left. Very good numbers with no cause for concern.

What's not to like?
 
Agreed. There really is darn few instances I have seen that one couldn't take the oil to 10,000 on a Cummins. Exceptions only being very high idle time or high percentage of stop and go city stuff.
 
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