Adding oil to DP

[w3bcy]

We received bought a 2008 Berkshire from a dealer that only sells previously owned rv's. His shop manager went through everything with us including showing us the oil levels for the engine and generator. Both were at the full line and very "clean" as in newly changed. However, I failed to asked what type of oil they had put in-- full synthetic, synthetic blend, regular oil?

What should I carry on board in case I need to add some oil? The engine has approximately 2,000 miles since we picked it up with the fresh "unknown oil. Engine and generator are still on the full marks and just beginning to get a little "dirty".

Thanks

[spock123]

Is your engine gas or diesel?

[A32Deuce]

DP Berkshire.

[kenandterry]

Guess the only sure way to know would be to ask the dealer you bought it from.

That being said, it looks like whatever oil they did use is clean and new, but I suspect they did it as inexpensively as possible, and probably changed it with regular oil.

2,000 miles and just a little dirty is what I would expect....no worries regardless of the oil type.

Other Berkshire owners will probably chime in to help with your specific questions.

[conceptumator]

I would say 98% sure it's Shell Rotella. Whatever Cummings shows as the specified weight is what you want. Walmart sells it by the gallon. We've had our Legacy DP for 2-1/2 years and 18,000 miles; had engine and gen oil changed once but never had a need to add any oil. My friends tell me if you need to add any to the engine, you'll most likely need to add a gallon. That's the equivalent of adding a quart to your number real gasoline engine, since the Diesel engine holds like 18 quarts.

[ckabrahamson]

I would go to the engine manufacturer's website and see what they recommend for your oil. I use Rotella in my DP.

[w3bcy]

My question is what oil is safe to add to an "unknown" type of oil in the crankcase?

[jkoenig24]

DP = usually means Diesel Pusher. What engine does your DP have? Once you know the make & model of the engine, you can find out EXACTLY what lubricants that manufacturer recommends. My Dynamax DX3 has a 9L 350HP Cummins inline 6 cylinder (the DX3 is a diesel PULLER; engine up front). Cummins recommends dinosaur based oil, NOT synthetic. Once a year, I bring my rig to either a Cummins or Freightliner shop and let them do the 12 months / 15,000-mile service. Since I average ~ 10,000 miles a year, doing an annual service, I'm golden.

[Beauty and Beast]

Although I don't have a DP, I did but a used truck and the only thing that would give me piece of mind was to change it out as soon as I bought it. That way I knew what was in it.

[ckabrahamson]

I agree with Beauty and the Beast... If you're unsure of what oil is in there, just change it for fresh. I'd much rather spend $300 or so and know that I'm in good shape than spend a season wondering if I'm damaging the engine.

[mnoland30]

Synthetic and regular oil mix fine. That is what a synthetic blend is. Assume they used regular oil and base your oil change interval on that. If you are really worried, take an oil sample and have it analyzed. As expensive as diesel engines are, that is often a good idea. It will warn you if you have any unusual wear problems.

[TitanMike]

Just add whatever the Manual for that engine calls for. Oils mix without issues (due to a Mil-Spec standard applied to all motor oils over 60 years ago).

As long as you are adding an oil that meets the manufacturer's recommendation don't worry and just change at the next scheduled interval.

You'd be amazed at how little difference there actually is from oil brand to oil brand. Most of the cost of high price oils is in the "marketing costs". "Off Brands" are usually sourced from major brands and just "canned" in a different container with a different name.

If the label shows it meets the necessary specification it will be just fine until the next oil change.

[Bluepill]

Engine Oil: The Difference between Gasoline and Diesel Engines - dummies