Testing engine fluids, diesel coach

[Laura & Charles]

So we had the engine oil tested when we first got this 2012 coach in 2020; just for peace of mind, the engine had been maintained/not abused. Test results at that time showed nothing concerning. We haven’t done it since and I’m not sure there’s much need to. If I were an OTR trucker logging oodles of miles and hours, I could better see a need. But we average just under 8K miles per year and have the oil changed annually.
But I can’t know what I don’t know and maybe I’m jut whistling in the dark.

So I wanted to ask those of you who test their oil on a regular basis a few questions:

1. Has your testing ever revealed anything of a serious problem? If so, what did you do? (Repair? Sell? Change something that you’d been doing the engine didn’t like? Or just note and monitor going forward?)

2. Do you test any other fluids? (Coolant, Trans fluid, hydraulic oil, generator oil)?

TIA! You’re a great bunch and loaded with info!!

 

[CharlesinGA]

You need to test a couple of times to establish a base line, and then regular testing after that to look for trends. Basically its either test on a regular schedule, or not at all. Thats my feelings. At the present I don't test the oil in my diesel but If I start, I will keep it up.

Charles

 

[rvlifer]

I had them tested in my f350 around 30k mi after a ford dealer told me they wanted over $1200 for the 30k service to replace all the fluids. Seemed like a scam when they indicated it was all optional. According to the tests no fluids needed changing.

 

[Laura & Charles]

Thanks for your responces! It seems one be as waynal as they wish about regular fluids testing and to each their own?

 

[Derby6]

I had them tested in my f350 around 30k mi after a ford dealer told me they wanted over $1200 for the 30k service to replace all the fluids. Seemed like a scam when they indicated it was all optional. According to the tests no fluids needed changing.

That’s ridiculous. I think the book calls for all fluid changes at about 100k. I did mine at 110 or 120.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Since you change the engine oil annually anyway, I see no need for routine engine oil analysis. Ditto for generator - just change the oil. I would, however, suggest annual tranny fluid analysis after the first 5 years to determine if it needs changing. It probably will not if you are keeping up with the tranny filter changes, but it's a good way to monitor transmission and fluid condition. In motorhome service, odds are you won't need to change tranny fluid for 10 or more years, but the analysis will prove that.

Note #1: In my experience the tranny fluid begins to show some "crud" build-up as it approaches time for a filter change, but a new filter clears that right up.
Note #2: If you use the same fluid test service each time, they will keep a log for your vehicle and provide a year-to-year comparison and trend info. That way you don't have to hire a pro tranny mechanic to tell you what it all means.

 

[rvlifer]

That’s ridiculous. I think the book calls for all fluid changes at about 100k. I did mine at 110 or 120.

Agreed. It was clearly a scam to make money from service. I had just had an oil change done with full synthetic just prior and told them not to change the oil. They did anyway and replaced the oil with nonsynthetic. I made them replace it again and didnt pay for it.

Avoid the ford dealer in bakersfield, ca is all i can recommend

 

[Derby6]

I avoid CA period. Lol

 

[Kirk]

1. Has your testing ever revealed anything of a serious problem?

I started having the oil tested on our class A when we were living it it fulltime. The previous class A that was used part-time and weekends I didn't have tested. As mentioned, the tests mean more if you have done it several times at regular intervals because it will establish a baseline for the engine. I used Blackstone Labs and they gave an explanation with each oil report as well as a range of levels for each thing checked for. They also suggested how long to run the oil, rather than just using the owner's manual recommendations so that it was actually based on need. At their recommendation I increased the mileage between oil changes from 3500 to 5000 miles. The only negative item in any of my reports was one that was taken just after we had sat in one RV volunteer position for 4 months, when they did report a water content that was slightly above normal, which was accounted for by the humidity and temperatures where we wintered. They also tested for antifreeze and found none so indicated that the water was not from the coolant. They did suggest that I send a new test after 1000 miles driving which I did and it found no water. I also like that the results were send to me via email to get the results quickly and in the retest it was via text the same day that they received the sample. Since leaving the road and selling that RV, I have not had any fluid testing done.

Do you test any other fluids? (Coolant, Trans fluid, hydraulic oil, generator oil)?

I did have the coolant and transmission fluids both tested one time, at about 5 years with our fulltime coach. The reports were all good and they suggested waiting another 5 years, but I didn't do the retest. That is the only time that I have ever had either of those tested. I have never had the generator oil tested.

For me, the test results helped me to sleep well knowing that our only home was continuing to operate as it should.

 

[Onyrlef]

A Torqshift transmission requires service at 30k intervals, oil and both filters. If you're doing that there's no point in analysing fluids. The sign of trouble in that tran. would be a lot of metal in the pan or on the magnet.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Laura & Charles have an Allison 3000 transmission.