Did Poor Maintenance Damage My Diesel Engine? Oil Analysis Follow Up

About 2 years ago, I did an oil change on my 2001 Beaver Patriot Thunder with a CAT C12 diesel engine. I made a video showing the oil change and the oil analysis I did on it.
While, I did not drive my RV nearly enough in that time, it is still good practice to service it annually and not wait 2 years like me. I thought now would be a good time to do a follow up video to see if the CAT12 engine is still running good after 24 years and 168k miles with another oil analysis from Empire CAT. Hopefully, this inspires other buyers that may be interested in diesel RVs but are afraid of units with higher miles to take a second look at quality motorhomes.
Thanks for watching!!

[@dougnorton5143]

Fuel Filters, Fuel Filters, don't forget your FUEL FILTERS!

[@rogerjensen6630]

Water filters also.

[@mikethelakesidelogger8757]

It would really pay to do a coolant sample. The most neglected fluid on a motorhome and serious consequences if not properly maintained.

[@Hogger280]

Silicon is very important because it indicates dirt getting past the air filter.

[@philw7174]

That Beaver sure is happy you are the owner. Sure enjoy seeing your enthusiasm with your greatest RV ever made. Happy trails!

[@rbnhood39]

James if you don’t have the time to take the Beaver out every now and then, I will be glad to put some miles on it for you. 😎

[@jimmyjimjim3054]

Those drain valves are great.

[@carlbeaver7112]

Personally, I'd ditch the K&N for paper, especially considering the mounting location and the environment there.

[@genehart261]

Yes, absolutely. You took away my comment, they just don't filter out the small stuff.

[@jimbeam7776]

I had a C15 Cat with a 1,100,000 miles on it and never a rebuilt. I used nothing but Rotella T6 5w40. I went by hours not miles. Which was around 250 hours. Close to 15,000 miles

[@rogerjensen6630]

Coolant is a big factor on upkeep on a diesel.

[@miketomas8564]

What was interesting was that the oil was 2 years old and still came out with a good result. But- my rule of thumb for our 2000 PT is 1 to 1.5 years oil change or 10,000 miles. But we have never put that much on in a year... mostly the oil sits. Genny gets every filter at 150hrs.. this limits failures..

[@AskRemy]

i don't need reports to prove you are not a liar - your body language does not indicate deceit - $75 is well worth it - you are good at what you do

[@TheInvisibleAmericanMan]

Hi James. It never even occurred to me that having a history of oil analysis for a prospective buyer to review might be a good selling point. So while it may be fun/interesting to have these done for yourself, there might actually be another long term benefit. Thanks again. -Dave in Cincy

[@divadyrdnal]

I don’t worry too much about the miles on a heavy duty diesel engine, I worry about the years “aging” all of the “rubber” seals, gaskets and o-rings…

[@dewholdingsllc1050]

You should educate yourself before commenting about diesel mileage not being a factor. Look around at the experts and learn. Frequent oil changes are best practice. Never let it go for as long as AZ Expert.

[@divadyrdnal]

@@dewholdingsllc1050 I am a retired mechanical engineer, so I have educated myself quite nicely thanks. I stand by my original statement, the “mileage” on a diesel pusher is rarely the issue with older RVs if not abused, yes oil changes significantly effect an engines life for the better, no argument, however the age of engine “seals” etc are more likely to fail on an old “low” mileage engine. Lots of commercial trucks may put towards ~100k miles per year, engines being “refreshed” at 700k miles is not unheard of, when is the last time you have seen a RV with that kind of use, however 20+ year old diesel pushers with less than 150k miles are a dime a dozen…

[@robertburgess6100]

It's always good to get a sample on an RV. Especially when they set a lot.

[@tbone1690]

Enjoyed the "quick cuts" editing style with the continuous dialog tying it all together! Haven't seen you do that before...interesting!

[@AZExpert]

Awesome, thank you!

[@fastcoffee9878]

I just did the oil on my 3126. 1k miles but 2 yrs...I also got a fresh wix air filter after I changed the last.one 2 yrs ago...that one was old when I got it. Next will be the trans...again

[@DLTJR1959]

Those generators are made to run hours on hours end without stopping. The oil change intervals on those at 100 hours are very conservative. My Powertech is listed at 100 hours where the Bluebird manual states 200 hour intervals. I typically change it between 100 and 200 hours. Never done an engine oil analysis but no oil usage at all with 1500 hours. Engine only had 47,500 miles when I purchased it in 2019 and was serviced by the previous owner at 46,000 miles. I had it changed at 2 years and 53,000 miles and right now it has 57,000 miles. Absolutely no oil usage. One thing I dd do at the 53,000 mile oil change was change the automatic transmission fluid. It was not burnt but not red either. It was time. I ASSUME it was changed once in it's life but I can't verify it. I noticed that the transmission now shifts better and I think that was due to the new fluid. Other than fuel filters and a new air filter which was a typical donaldson filter, I got the coolant flushed. It was badly needed. The service center had to flush it 3 times to get it good and clean. I THINK it had never been changed out but I can't confirm that. New lifetime red coolant was added. No need to check SCA levels. I will flush it every 5 years. So right now I think I am good to go. Just got to log the engine hours on the generator and the time/total miles on the engine. Engine hours on my C13 is around 1800 or so. These units have very good powertrains in them. IF you keep them up you should never wear one out.

[@josephalberta1145]

I have almost 500 000 miles on my DD 60 and its still good.

[@1hasbeen531]

Dump that K&N, and put the Donaldson paper element in there.

[@goodoboytw]

On My Western Alpine ...Air filter, fuel filter... oil and transmission dipstick is all acceptable at rear passenger bay door, super convenient

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

OPS, FASS, and max mileage catalyst!!!

[@hillbillyrv]

Oil analysis looks great James.

[@AZExpert]

Glad you think so!

[@TimothyMichaels]

Have 70k miles, 1917 hrs on my 8.3 Cummins. No idea when oil was changed last. I put less than 500 miles on since ownership.

[@Subarude-zr5qf]

Fine video as usual, keeping us informed. On my 2000 Alpine Coach with a Cummins 8.3L the coolant sample was 4 or critical, the anti corrosion abilities were gone, so I'm sampling everything now. I flushed and replaced with OAT coolant which came back a 0 which is excellent. My Onan-Cummins generator also had bad coolant so I changed and will see. Engine and trans have extended change filters and tested fine.

[@JeffinTD]

Great video as always. It’s an older article but if you look up “iso duramax air filter test” you might find the results interesting. Especially accumulative gain, the amount of dust that went through the various filters tested.

[@deddie4645]

Great video. Can you start Endorsing Independent RV inspection technicians... that could do private sale inspections......

[@Yukonjackman1]

Nicely done

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Great information 👍🏼

[@clarencewiles963]

Good follow up for knowledge. Looking forward to seeing the next one. 😊

[@jeffsteele1295]

Great information thanks so much.

[@diesel46809]

You need to check your DCA levels in your radiator for the engine liners so you don't have them ate through. The test is a strip you dip in the radiator fluid. Alot of people dont do that and there engine don't last

[@lutomson3496]

you do have increased readings..Moly and a few others together can indicate problems..change oil every year no matter the mileage, condensation impacts...I use Blackstone they dont cost that much as Cat does also do transmission fluids I use them every time for records I would suggest using a high lubricity oil like Pennzoi ultra platinum or platinum high mileage, you will notice the difference in your reports...using a fuel additive like standyne also helps your generator and engine run better

[@williamhansen5498]

Great advice

[@typhoon2245]

Thanks for the info, I found this very helpful seeing the 2yr diff's in analysis.

[@tommackay7433]

Great info.

[@wolf359loki]

Can you do a video on preparing your equipment to tow a car? Some good Do's and Don'ts. What to watch for and other tips?

[@AZExpert]

I don't tow very often and I'm convinced I've destroyed the transmission everytime I tow a car, luckily I haven't yet.

[@wolf359loki]

@@AZExpert Thanks for the reply. How about a video on Winterizing for storage and de-winterizing (is that a word???) when you take them out in the spring for your Canadian Followers?

[@Adam_Gray]

🤠Big cat on that Beaver! Keeping her lubed up good James! 🙌🏼

[@NackDSP]

The oil was perfect after two years in the engine. Oil just doesn't go bad sitting in an engine. It's a metal can. All those "experts" out there changing oil every year or every six months have obviously never done a lab test of two year old engine oil. Excellent science based content. The Project Farm youTube channel did a similar test with oil after 18 months in service. It was also perfect.

[@sissinoklahoma2057]

You're the best!!! Think I will invest in a report on the oil when I have it changed in June.

[@mikendebbie]

James - either you never curse - or you cut those parts out. Either way - props to you for that! A KZbin video of me doing some of those tasks would unfortunately be silent - perhaps I could record a narrative being careful. But I want to travel like Doug Sewell - with James in the chase car!

[@dhannan5712]

You are an awesome mechanic. Don't be so hard on yourself James. 😊

[@caryrodriguez7040]

The wife and I just bought a 2003 Beaver Monterey Ventura and had the engine and generator serviced and we were relieved that all was well with both engines. The girl needs some TLC but she's a solid Classy RV.

[@richbutinski1367]

It's great that you keep up on the service...full synthetic oil can go longer..you can sample and send it for analysis before you have to change... FYI, we took two new Ford f350, one with conventional oil, and one full synthetic, to see cost effect on the full synthetic which turned out to be effective $$ wise ..filters change at intervals...

[@dodgeguyz]

A lot of people complaining about the K&N, I’ve never seen an issue or failure due to a K&N filter. BTW, thanks for the code to get into your coach! 😉

[@rickl6697]

I was concerned that I might be getting fuel in my coolant from an injector so I picked up 2 fluid test kits from my Cat dealer about 2-3 months ago. 2 kits cost around 32.00 total with the prepaid postage. I pulled the samples from the dipstick because that's what the Cat dealer recommended and I wasn't ready to change the oil yet and I don't have that drain valve you have on your oil pan. Both mine came back fine. Our 2003 Newmar with 3126 Cat has only 54,449 miles(only one other owner). Great video. I'm getting ready to change the oil again. Only been a little over 3k miles.

[@Hogger280]

Poor maintenance will damage ANY engine. Oil and filters are Cheap Cheap compared to engine rebuild!! In fact, deferred maintenance will always cost more in anything mechanical and in any business; railroads are a good example. You know what Mr. Good Wrench said: "Pay me now(maintenance) or pay me later(to repair failures).

[@grantwillnow7090]

Greetings from Buffalo NY!

[@AZExpert]

Hello there!

[@petercolquhoun2086]

Go Bills!

[@jdc1978]

The FUMOTO USA oil valve is great. I have them on all my vehicle engines, generators etc. they make changing oil a breeze on all engines. And made in Japan so the quality is tops.

[@lukewaelderfuninthesun8310]

Love all the videos I have a tiffin allegro red 340 suggestions on how to get the oil filter out I'd like to stop by one day have you look it over

[@dustup2249]

Cat C-12s first in-frame overhaul should come around 700K miles if you have a regularly performed maintenance habit. Maybe want to try Rotella T6 full synthetic if you don't already? If you're currently on T4, your additive numbers may vary more greatly after running T6 though, but I'm confident you already thought of that as you read my suggested change from T4 to T6. It would be fun to take a sample straight from your new Rotella oil jug and eat the expense of a simulated brand new engine oil change for a control sample to compare with subsequent oil change analysis, but $50 seems ...

[@randysutton8636]

I agree somewhat on mileage on these older models. Just be sure to have oil analysis done if it's an engine that is prone to cavitation issues. Learned the hard way.

[@bobmckenzie425]

Hi James! you said not too much to worry about coolant. NOT SO! It should be tested at a min of once a year. Cat can help. Or cummins (I know, I know) have test kits to check PH. Antifreeze additives can rapidly deplete and yours doesn't have a coolant filter?? which usually have top up additives in them. the C12 does NOT have liners so corrosion can be fatal. Just my 2 cents.....................

[@JEG6919]

Would you be able to do a video on used RVs that you would recommend purchasing ( diesel, gas, towables)?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Dang my 7500 Onan only has like 2400 hours. I had been wondering whether or not that was a lot. lol..... gonna change the oil in mine before we boondock at Talladega next weekend !!

[@orhusky]

Check with some of your contacts in the rv engine world but a K&N filter on a diesel engine is not advised.

[@MisterChips2012]

Why not? It it’s cleaned properly at correct intervals and maintains the same or better airflow then stock, why not?

[@MisterChips2012]

167000 miles is nothing on a diesel in a pickup, a Cat engine! It’s barley broken in 😂

[@orhusky]

Better flow because they do not filter as well as a quality paper filter. Too many fine particles are allowed to pass and the turbo can get dusted and worse.

[@Marc-uy1pg]

Hey James, thanks for another great video. Found you a long time ago on TikTok and love your content. I have a Dutch star 2015 with a Cummins and Alison transmission. 2 questions if you have time, 1 I’m in the NE and my RV sits from October till now. They say idling them is no good but I can’t really drive it around in the winter months . They also say letting them sit is bad, what should I do? 2. Last year I did the maintenance at the start of the season and I only put in 6k on it, of course the dealer says do the maintenance but it feels like solid overkill, am I crazy not to?

[@lowbudgetbob1155]

Our older buses got an oil change at 5K miles and the newer ones we'd stretch to 7K since the manufacturer called for it. I wouldn't stretch that Cat that far, the injectors don't like high mileage oil but, it's your motorhome. FYI, I am a retired ASE Master school bus and medium duty tech (25 years). We had a couple of buses with Cat engines and learned that lesson the expensive way. Have you checked the PH of the coolant or flush it if it's been in there a while?

[@AZExpert]

I just did a complete flush a few months ago.

[@nylonstringninja]

I agree with several other comments. You don't want that K&N in there letting all that dirt go through with the "increased airflow". It isn't worth the beating the turbo impellers will take. The filter is easy to get to for a reason, so you can put a good pleated filter in there and take it out regularly to bang it off and blow it out.

[@Tnall74]

Really shocked that the Hours weren’t considered on oil change. I don’t do anything about miles but rely more on the hours on mine which is a Cummins just as your Generator has. Time spent building air and setup probably shows up

[@donmedford2563]

I was watching a video of a guy who bought a bunch of used equipment. Some of them had 32,000 HOURS on the diesel engines. The forklifts he bought had propane engines and a couple had 27,000 hours on them. Both those numbers surprised me but especially the propane engines. All of them he bought ran just fine.

[@petercolquhoun2086]

Diesel Creek.

[@donmedford2563]

@@petercolquhoun2086 yep

[@MonacoMike]

Where did you get your oil sample kit? I have a Detroit Series 60 in my '05 Monaco with about 115,000 miles on it so I'm think it might be a good time to start keeping oil sample records for it.

[@stuckcamping]

It's not about mileage on these diesels, it's about the amount of fuel/gallons you put through it. Keep track of the gallons being used.

[@scotter2087]

This used to be a roofing channel 😂😂. Jk love the content.

[@lukewaelderfuninthesun8310]

I had to change the fuel filter

[@automech01]

What happens when you want to buy a used unit and the oil has been recently changed?

[@daleolson3506]

Was the tube on the air filter to the engine dirty? If it is the element isn’t working

[@Jonnydeerhunter]

The best part of oil analysis is trends. Especially wear metal trends. It looks to me based of the additives, viscosity, and oxidation that there were less miles on the oil on this sample than the last one. That being said, Oil is cheap... Engines are expensive.

[@user-wj1qy9pw2d]

I am going to New Mexico I would like to make an appointment to change my refrigerator on my tiffin class A f53

[@johnnyquest9358]

Just curious, are you running Red antifreeze in the Beaver ?

[@LifeMyWay007]

What do you think about the Rest of the RV with Higher Miles? The guys I talk to agree on the engine side, but are concerned with the 'RV House' having been rattled and bounced around for over 100,000 miles.

[@jud2820]

Did you change oil because of hours on engine re time engine ran or just time sitting over 1 year?

[@MsAll4freedom]

Should you do this on a v10 gas

[@cullenmiller8170]

My 2001 Beaver has about 100,000 less miles. Your generator got a lot of hours too. My Marquis had 50,000 and about 400 hrs on generator when i bought it in March of 22. Does the Patriot Thunder only have a 455 horsepower tune?

[@pross263]

I had an Onan in a big sleeper semi with 4700 hours. Had no problems, changed the oil about every 150 to 200 hours ,

[@wolf359loki]

Can you run down what you would have to do if you saw those numbers starting to creep up? Where is the threshold for going from Green to Yellow?

[@AZExpert]

I'm not sure, probably check with CAT to see what they suspect the sources were likely from.

[@MaryWehmeier]

James QUESTION! Is there a similar test that could be run on a gasoline powered Motorhome? Thanks!

[@AZExpert]

yes oil analysis works on gas engines too

[@timvines7944]

James. Do you prefer a side mounted radiator over a rear mounted one? I’ve read both arguments but I’d really like to get your opinion. Please be as detailed as you as time to. Thanks!! Tim

[@AZExpert]

side option 100% is superior in every way

[@timvines7944]

Thanks James!! You’re always so helpful! Much appreciated!

[@user-vm4hu2fe8y]

How about a gas ebngine

[@bigjeep2195]

That was an expensive K&N filter I bet.

[@RamblinRoadies]

How long does it take to get the results of the oil analysis?

[@AZExpert]

1-3 days

[@pross263]

It's quick, you can use overnight mail too with other people such as Polaris, do not use anyone doing a back room bench test like speedco, they are dirty and not reliable. They will email you the results

[@cintroberts6614]

You are going to become a really good mechanic if you continue to neglect the maintenance.

[@1PacificRedwood]

Before you do anything else in life, remove the K & N air filter from that diesel engine!! Replace it with a quality OILED FOAM AIR FILTER. K & N air filters are marketed to 'flow additional air' over paper air filter elements for 'more power', but the cost is severe: microscopic Silicon (silica / dirt) gets past the thin-mesh oiled gauze K & N filter medium and is mashed into the valve seats as the air moves into the cylinders where it continues its slow carnage. Over time, the silicon particulates ruin piston ring seals and valves, destroying valve seats, lowering compression ratio, resulting in loss of power. Silicon comprises about 80% of what is known as 'dirt'. Silicon / Silica is extremely hard and ruins engines when given the chance. An expensive diesel engine rebuild is the result. Gasoline engines meet the same fate when K & N is involved. FYI: Oiled foam air filtration FLOWS AS MUCH, OR MORE AIR than the crap K & N filters. Your CAT diesel engine DESERVES BETTER THAN K & N AIR FILTRATION !!! Heavy equipment ($200K+) made by CAT, DEERE, HITACHI etc., use OILED FOAM air filtration for long engine life. Thanks for listening.

[@arthurcutting9227]

Just like colon guard 😅

[@uglysteve1]

I’m no expert but I have read that k&n filters allow some fine dust through. I have them on my cars but with the diesel it may be worth looking into. Steve