How to Replace the Lubricating Oil and Oil Filter

How to Replace the Lubricating Oil and Oil Filter - Ops, Gen Info

The oil filter is an integral part of the lubrication system. Proper filter selection and maintenance are important to satisfactory engine performance and service life. The filter should be used to maintain a clean system, not to clean up a contaminated system. The maintenance intervals for the appropriate duty cycle are listed in tables in this manual.

Change the oil and replace the lubricating oil filter as follows:

Note: If the used oil was contaminated by fuel or coolant, it may be necessary to take the vehicle to a certified Detroit Service Center. The Service Center may drain the oil and then remove the oil pan, oil pump, and oil pump intake manifold to drain the remaining oil held back by the backflow valve. It is important to remove all contaminated oil from the engine.
Note: Change the engine oil only when the engine oil temperature is approximately 60°C (140°F). Changing cold oil will result in extended drain times.
  1. Place the transmission in neutral, and set the parking brake.
    2. Notice: Use care to prevent foreign objects from entering the filter housing.
  2. Clean outside of the oil filter housing.
    3. Notice: On some chassis models the air filter housing may interfere with removing the oil filter cap and filter element straight up. If this is the case, loosen or remove the air filter housing to allow for proper oil filter removal. Removing the filter element on an angle may damage the oil filter standpipe or bypass valve.
  3. Using a 36-mm socket, unscrew the oil filter cap and filter and allow the oil to drain into the housing. After draining is complete, remove the assembly from the housing.
  4. Remove the filter element by pressing and twisting the side and detaching it from the cap.
  5. Remove the oil filter cap O-ring and discard. Lightly coat a new O-ring with clean engine oil and install it on the filter cap.
  6. Check the filter housing for any debris and remove if necessary.
  7. Insert a new filter element into the oil filter cap.
    8. Notice: The oil filter bypass valve is very important to the operation of the engine. If the valve becomes damaged, the oil filter will be bypassed at all times. This allows unfiltered debris to flow throughout the entire lubrication system and may cause severe engine damage.
  8. Inspect the oil filter bypass valve (3) in the end of the standpipe (2) in the oil filter housing. See illustration below. A broken bypass valve (1) is shown on the right. Repair as necessary.
    9. Notice: On some chassis models the air filter housing may interfere with installing the oil filter cap and filter element straight into the housing. If this is the case, loosen or remove the air filter housing to allow for proper oil filter installation. Installing the filter element on an angle may damage the oil filter standpipe or bypass valve.
  9. Insert the filter element and cap assembly into the housing. Torque the cap to 40 to 50 N·m (30 to 37 lb·ft).
  10. Place a suitable drain pan, 47 L (50 qt) or more, under the oil pan.
    11. Note: The oil pan contains multiple plugs that may be used for various options and applications. The oil drain plug is the lowest plug on the oil pan.
  11. Carefully unscrew the oil drain plug, and allow the oil to drain out.
  12. Discard the oil drain plug sealing O-ring.
  13. Install the oil pan drain plug with a new O-ring and torque the plug:
    • On a plastic oil pan, torque plug to 45 N·m +/- 7 N·m (33 lb·ft +/- 5 lb·ft).
    • On an aluminum oil pan, torque plug to 60 N·m +/- 9 N·m (44 lb·ft +/- 6 lb·ft ).
    14. Notice: Do not add oil if the oil reading is between the crosshatch area on the dipstick. There are approximately 5.0 L (5.2 qt) from the fill mark to the full mark. Overfilling the oil pan can cause engine damage.
  14. Add new engine oil through the oil fill tube in the following amount; Engine Oil Capacities. Verify the oil level reading is between the full and fill marks on the dipstick.
    15. Notice: If no oil pressure is shown after approximately 10 seconds, stop the engine and determine the cause. Running the engine with no oil pressure could result in engine damage.
  15. Start the engine with the accelerator pedal in the idle position (600 rpm). Monitor the oil pressure gauge or indicator lamp. Keep the engine running at idling speed (600 rpm) until the oil pressure reading is 10.2 psi (70 kPa) or more for the DD15/16 and 11.6 psi (80 kPa) or more for the DD13.
  16. Check the filter housing for signs of leakage.
    17. Notice: Do not add oil if the oil reading is between the crosshatch area on the dipstick. There are approximately 5.0 L (5.2 qt) from the fill mark to the full mark. Overfilling the oil pan can cause engine damage.
    Note: If the engine operating temperature is below 60°C (140°F), the engine must be on a level surface and then shut down for 60 minutes for an accurate oil level reading. Otherwise, the engine must be brought up to an operating temperature of 60°C (140°F), parked on a level surface and then shut down for five minutes for an accurate oil level reading.
  17. Stop the engine. Check the oil level again per the following guidelines. If necessary, add oil no more than 5.0 L (5.2 qt) at a time up to the maximum fill level on the oil dipstick.
Note:
REPLACE045-011-005EA1,EA2,EA3,EB1,EB2,EB3,EB4,EC1,EC2
Parent topic: How to Procedures
Document Number: 0000022426
Manual Publication Date: 2024-01-05
Topic Publication Date: 2025-03-18