I fully intended on taking my MH to CAT for the next oil change, so that they can perform their SOS oil analysis. Problem is, the nearest CAT RV service center is 25 miles from me. With the price of today's fuel, I'm wondering if I'd be better off to stick with my local independent RV service shop, and send an oil sample to an outside firm like Blackstone. Has anyone in the forum used Blackstone or any other oil analysis lab before?

Craig

Craig,

I service my own Cat 300. I bought two oil pans that will hold 12 quarts each. If your going to warm it up first, run it for at least 30 to 45 minutes under a load, like driving. This will get the oil hot and burn off any fuel that got into it during starting, or just do it cold like I did the last time. I use Blackstone for all my analysis work. There price is now $22.50, last year it was just $20. You can request a sample kit and they will send it free. Costs under $2.00 to send it back and it's non-hazardous. I do use Cat filters for both fuel and oil.

I pour the used oil back into the gallon containers that the new oil came in and the local gas station will get rid of it for me. It's not hard to do your own, if you done your car, this is no difference. If you want to see my report, send me your email address to renegades9@hughes.net and I'll forward you the pdf file that Blackstone sent to me. Good luck

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Renegades:

Jim, Nice to see you posting. Thank you for sharing your experience with Blackstone.

Craig, I change my own oil and filters and get the oil analysis kit from the local Cat Service Shop. Cost is $7.50 with free mailing.

Just take the sample, tape up the mailer provided with the sample bottle and put it in the mailbox or drop it off at the post office. About two weeks later I receive the analysis report.

Since I use Cat oil (my choice) I have to go to their shop to purchase the oil and filter, I just pick up an analysis at that time. Your local dealer probably has them in stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
I change my own oil and filters and get the oil analysis kit from the local Cat Service Shop. Cost is $7.50 with free mailing.

Chief,

Does the $7.50 include the analysis?

You guys have me re-thinking my decision to hire someone to change my oil as opposed to doing it myself. I know it's easy to do, but the idea of draining 24 quarts of oil into something that will hold that much oil has kept me from doing so.

Craig,
Like I said, you can find the necessary containers in either Walmart or an auto parts store. You will need at least 2 and maybe 3 containers. The ones that I have hold 12 qts each. I guess when the first one is almost full and move the second one into place and usually I'm pretty close. These have pour spout with a cap on them and also a plug that screws in the center. Once all the oil is drained, put in the new stuff. I then pour the used oil back into the gallon containers and dispose of them. Yes it's messy work, no more than changing your oil in the family car. The only thing I would do is get a couple pairs of the cheap rubber gloves. Dawn does clean you up also. Doing it yourself can save you a bunch of money which you can put into the fuel tank. Happy travels.

Jim
p.s. I did this for a living in Florida as an RV tech for Lazydays. Hi Driver long time no chat.

quote:

Originally posted by Renegades:
Doing it yourself can save you a bunch of money which you can put into the fuel tank.

Thanks Renegade.

I'm not good with math, so please correct me if I've screwed this up, but I just did the math on doing it myself. With the price of Chevron Delo and a CAT oil filter, I'd save about $50-$60 by doing it myself. Not sure if it's worth the hassle.

Craig-Yep, cost is $7.50 for the kit, mailing and the analysis report.

If changing oil yourself I would recommend a Fumoto valve to replace the stock oil drain plug. After the initial drain, when I replaced the stock drain plug all I have to do is drain the oil into 1 gallon see-thru containers(milk jugs,etc). Just changed oil this past week and didn't spill a drop.

Replacing the oil is a little bit of a challenge but a funnel with a long neck and a ladder has solved that problem. On our rig the oil fill tube is recessed about 12-16 inches into the engine compartment and a little difficult to access-yours may be different .

Chief, the next time you attend a larger rally look for the Freightliner boys. They carry the Cat filters with them for sale, and you won't believe the prices.

Steve, thanks for the tip on FL & Cat filters. Trying to fit in a rally of some sort during late summer or early fall.

Current plans are from Savannah, Ga to Dallas in late June to visit with ailing brother and then on up to the Dakotas. Think FMCA has a rally in Minnesota in the fall, will try to catch that before returning to SE Ga for a couple of months.

Ok, I was just about convinced that I should start doing my own oil changes, but then I remembered a complete lube service also includes checking any and all chassis grease fittings. I'm not sure I even know where they're all at...