First Oil Change @ 1926 miles

[MudSticker19]

I have a 2019 Laramie CC (Feb '19 build date) with 1926miles on it. I noticed when accelerating a few times it would was some what hesitant when WOT until about 2500rpm's then proceed as normal. I figured it was due to either ****ty gas or a dirty MAF. Before I started troubleshooting, I wanted to change the factory oil out since the sounded a little rough on the few cold mornings we have had. Took it to valvoline because I know the owner and he lets me use the bays plus its heated. I pull in and start doing my thing, pull the drain plug and just watched it expecting to be there for about a minute or 2. It drained in less than 15 seconds, thought that was odd but moved onto the oil filter. After all said in done, I drained out a little over a Quart?!?! ..... I was expecting some oil loss due to the new engine but was NOT expecting only seeing a little over 1 quart (mind you, no lights were popping up on the dash indicating anything was wrong). I put the new oil filter on (AMSOIL) and filled up 7quarts (AMSOIL SS) and shot over to the nearest dealer. The only thing he said for me to do is to make sure I have everything documented because only draining 1 quart did not sound right. I will say though, after driving it with AMSOIL and with it being filled to the proper levels, its a whole new beast.

TL;DR: First Oil Change at 1926miles, drained a little over a quart. RAM mechanic said thats doesn't sound right and to document everything just in case something happens down the road. Has anyone else seen this? I did do some searching but haven't found anything in regards to this. Thoughts?

 

[SpeedyV]

Ouch. There’s nothing good that will come out of running an engine 5 quarts low on oil for any length of time.

 

[MudSticker19]

Ouch. There’s nothing good that will come out of running an engine 5 quarts low on oil for any length of time.

agreed. Will being watching this closely. Checking every 100 miles for consumption for the next 1000 miles or so. Not playing with this, if this engine is burning this much oil with less than 2k on it, Ill run it up the chain.

 

[Zeronet]

When my truck had 600 miles on it I checked the oil for the first time. It was nearly a quart low and I was concerned. Added a quart to top it off and have been monitoring oil level since then. No oil consumed over 6000 miles. I can only assume it came from the factory one quart low.

 

[MudSticker19]

When my truck had 600 miles on it I checked the oil for the first time. It was nearly a quart low and I was concerned. Added a quart to top it off and have been monitoring oil level since then. No oil consumed over 6000 miles. I can only assume it came from the factory one quart low.

Thanks for the info. I hoping I have a similar situation (except 6 quarts low instead of 1 )

 

[Patsy1099]

Why wouldn’t there have been warning lights on? Makes no sense.

 

[Cosmok]

I don’t see how an engine this big wouldn’t have seized on only 1 quart of oil.

 

[jabara572]

Is there no low oil level sensor? My LS3 will trip that if its even a quart low. Crazy to think there isnt one on the Ram or yours isnt working. The good news is as long as you didnt go to 0 on the oil pressure I think you may possibly have been saved by a hairs breath of just enough oil. Scary

 

[Patsy1099]

Is there no low oil level sensor? My LS3 will trip that if its even a quart low. Crazy to think there isnt one on the Ram or yours isnt working. The good news is as long as you didnt go to 0 on the oil pressure I think you may possibly have been saved by a hairs breath of just enough oil. Scary

There are sensors and either multiple things were broken, which is unlikely but not impossible, or something else happened that lead OP to believe only 1 quart was left. If there was truly only a quart in there, the engine temp would have been screaming and probably would have seized. I’m not sure what happened but hopefully OP figures it out and gets it fixed and can report back.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Laramie CC (Feb '19 build date) with 1926miles on it. I noticed when accelerating a few times it would was some what hesitant when WOT until about 2500rpm's then proceed as normal. I figured it was due to either ****ty gas or a dirty MAF. Before I started troubleshooting, I wanted to change the factory oil out since the sounded a little rough on the few cold mornings we have had. Took it to valvoline because I know the owner and he lets me use the bays plus its heated. I pull in and start doing my thing, pull the drain plug and just watched it expecting to be there for about a minute or 2. It drained in less than 15 seconds, thought that was odd but moved onto the oil filter. After all said in done, I drained out a little over a Quart?!?! ..... I was expecting some oil loss due to the new engine but was NOT expecting only seeing a little over 1 quart (mind you, no lights were popping up on the dash indicating anything was wrong). I put the new oil filter on (AMSOIL) and filled up 7quarts (AMSOIL SS) and shot over to the nearest dealer. The only thing he said for me to do is to make sure I have everything documented because only draining 1 quart did not sound right. I will say though, after driving it with AMSOIL and with it being filled to the proper levels, its a whole new beast.

TL;DR: First Oil Change at 1926miles, drained a little over a quart. RAM mechanic said thats doesn't sound right and to document everything just in case something happens down the road. Has anyone else seen this? I did do some searching but haven't found anything in regards to this. Thoughts?

Hi MudSticker19,

I certainly understand why this would be concerning! If something comes of this concern and you end up having to work with your dealer again, please let us know via private message. We would like to have your concerns documented, as well as connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Willwork4truck]

Something wrong with this... not saying theres no way as most anything can happen, however I‘d say the trucks warning systems and the lack of seizing up indicate it wasn't 5-6 qts low.

Not casting doubts on the OP just saying that engine would never have gone that long. Whose to say what really occurred.

Moral? Check the stick every once and a while, as well as look underneath.
Hope all stays well with OP’s truck.

 

[MudSticker19]

Was this a recent purchase?

Purchased Middle of September. It has a build date of 02/2019.

Is there no low oil level sensor? My LS3 will trip that if its even a quart low. Crazy to think there isnt one on the Ram or yours isnt working. The good news is as long as you didnt go to 0 on the oil pressure I think you may possibly have been saved by a hairs breath of just enough oil. Scary

agreed.. I did notice the engine running progressively rougher over the last 2.5-3 weeks.

There are sensors and either multiple things were broken, which is unlikely but not impossible, or something else happened that lead OP to believe only 1 quart was left. If there was truly only a quart in there, the engine temp would have been screaming and probably would have seized. I’m not sure what happened but hopefully OP figures it out and gets it fixed and can report back.

My thoughts exactly - mind boggling that I didn't have to tow this back to a dealer.

Hi MudSticker19,

I certainly understand why this would be concerning! If something comes of this concern and you end up having to work with your dealer again, please let us know via private message. We would like to have your concerns documented, as well as connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer.

Mark
RamCares

Mark - I appreciate it. I will keep you in the loop. Thanks!

Something wrong with this... not saying theres no way as most anything can happen, however Id say the trucks warnibg systems and the lack of seizibg up indicate it wasnt 5-6 qts low.

Not casting doubts on the OP just saying that engine would never have gone that long. Whose to say what really occurred.

Moral? Check the stick every once and a while, as well as look underneath.
Hope all stays well with OP’s truck.

It definitely was 5-6 quarts low (depending on how much was put in from the factory) and I have been only driving 2-3 miles per day due to a very close work commute so that might have 'saved' the engine from locking up. Regardless - since I did the oil change, its overall 100% better, acceleration hesitation is gone. Like I had mentioned before, I will be checking every 100 miles or so. Also will be installing a catch can to see how much blow by is happening. Will keep everyone posted!

 

[jabara572]

There are sensors and either multiple things were broken, which is unlikely but not impossible, or something else happened that lead OP to believe only 1 quart was left. If there was truly only a quart in there, the engine temp would have been screaming and probably would have seized. I’m not sure what happened but hopefully OP figures it out and gets it fixed and can report back.

I just looked at the 5.7 Hemi Crate engine wiring and instructions and there is NO LEVEL INDICATOR on the wiring diagram. Just oil pressure and oil temperature. Im not sure this is identical to the Ram trucks but I can also find no reference online to an "oil level sensor" for the Ram Hemis. Pretty terrifying if there isnt a level sensor in the pan. I will have to look under the truck today.

You cant just assume there are "multiple sensors" because it sure looks like its got exactly one to tell the PCM if you have oil and thats the pressure sender. Even with 1 quart as long as you dont uncover the pickup and have X pressure it will never set a check engine or anything.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Learn something new every day...

 

[ramhead]

I just looked at the 5.7 Hemi Crate engine wiring and instructions and there is NO LEVEL INDICATOR on the wiring diagram. Just oil pressure and oil temperature. Im not sure this is identical to the Ram trucks but I can also find no reference online to an "oil level sensor" for the Ram Hemis. Pretty terrifying if there isnt a level sensor in the pan. I will have to look under the truck today.

You cant just assume there are "multiple sensors" because it sure looks like its got exactly one to tell the PCM if you have oil and thats the pressure sender. Even with 1 quart as long as you dont uncover the pickup and have X pressure it will never set a check engine or anything.

Correct...says same in the owner's manual. But, you'd assume with that little oil in the system it would have triggered an oil pressure warning or a high oil temp. Maybe because the OP says he has a very limited commute the temp didn't rise enough to trigger it but the pressure warning should trigger even if at idle.

Question for OP - did you actually MEASURE what you drained out or did you drain out into one of those big shop wheeled funnel drums (being that you were at the Valvoline place)?? 15 seconds sounds short but on most vehicles 90% of the oil drains out fairly quickly when you first pull the plug (I never timed any of my vehicles but I'd say it was within 15 seconds that the majority "flowed" out before dwindling) and then the remnants trickle out for a bit. If you didn't measure what you drained and are just going by sight/time estimate then you are just making a guess as to how much actually drained out.

 

[securityguy]

No way the truck was running on 1 quart of oil...as @ramhead stated above...if you didn't actually measure it than your statement isn't fact and a ton of oil will drain out in 15 seconds or so. Did you also stop watch the time and it was really only 15 seconds? I think you are letting your imagination runaway a bit here in your post.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Securityguy, you didnt list tint in your signature but I imagine you have it. What did you use and where?

 

[securityguy]

Securityguy, you didnt list tint in your signature but I imagine you have it. What did you use and where?

WOW...you're right...I missed that one I used Llumar Ceramic. I have a friend that owns a company and does all of my paint protection film and tint...he does all of the work for every high-end dealer in JAX. He also saves me a ton of money

 

[jkm312]

To the OP, no disrespect in my thoughts directed at you at all.
The motor on a Harley Davidson will run on a minimum of 1 quart of oil if it has too. Not recommended. Mine has a 4 quart pan, 2010 Limited with an oil cooler. Just two cylinders on it. 38oz in the primary case and 32 oz in the transmission. 3 separate oil chambers. A physically small motor. That's the point I'm making.

I don't see how the Hemi can run on just 1 quart of oil. If you think about all 8 cylinders, lifters, top end and oil passages back down to the oil pan, the oil sump would not have enough oil to maintain even a minimum oil pressure. Your signature doesn't state how you are equipped. If you can put your vehicle info on the dash it will give you an idea of oil pressure, oil temp, trans temp and water temp. Keep an eye on what's happening under the hood.

I'm going to agree with ram head, security guy and my experience, warm, hot oil drains out pretty fast. Go back in your mind, again, and think about it for awhile.

I put a catch can on my truck. I get 2 to 3 oz every 1000 miles, I've been watching it close as this is a first for me. Security guy made a believer out of me, glad it's on there.

Lastly these trucks are an amazing machine full of all kinds of sensor's for all sorts of conditions. A far cry from my first one with the gas tank behind the seat, but it was easy to repair . . . . . . .

However I am a firm believer in checking the oil level with the dip stick every week, it's just my life long habit. It's even more important when the engine is still green, breaking itself in and you are learning it's personality. All of us are doing that with these trucks. I just turned 5000 miles on mine and its a good ride.

I hope you come out of this OK.

 

[jabara572]

You never get 100% of the oil out of a motor with an oil drain. If you've ever torn down a motor after draining the oil you'll see just how much oil comes out of everywhere. So even if 1qt came out that was not the total oil in that motor. There was probably at least half a quart to a full quart hung up in the motor and pump and heads etc. Same goes for brand new engines will generally take more oil than what's listed on a full change. The only thing that matters is did he uncover his oil pickup and lose pressure, which presumably would have set off the oil pressure alarm which never happened. I bet it's a combination of there being oil stuck in that motor along with I bet more than 1qt came out bc he didn't measure it's hard to tell. I still believe he was ounces of oil away from disaster but it's entirely plausible that motor was running on 1.5qts of oil