How to Change the Oil in a 330 Cummings Diesel Engine
by Robert Kohnke
The Dodge Ram 330 Cummings diesel engine is a large work truck that the average owner will put through a lot of hard work. The oil in the engine should be changed frequently to prevent blockage and to ensure smooth operation. Also, changing the oil frequently greatly improves gas mileage. The 330 Cummings requires a lot of oil so it should be able to go two to four months between changes. To save time and money, the oil change can be performed at home, with a little bit of patience.
Step 1
Park the truck. Park the truck on a clear area that is level. Set the parking brake. Let the engine cool.
Step 2
Place the bucket beneath the oil drain plug. The oil drain plug is located on the underside of the engine on the driver's side, slightly behind the driver's side wheel well.
Step 3
Loosen the oil drain plug. To loosen the plug, use the socket wrench and turn the plug until the oil starts to drain into the bucket.
Step 4
Remove the air intake hose. The air intake hose is located on the upper side of the engine on the driver's side. It is a foot-long piece of 6 inch diameter hose. The clamps on either end can be removed by loosening the bolts with the screwdriver.
Step 5
Place the plastic bag beneath the oil filter. The oil filter is the 4- to 8-inch-long 4-inch diameter cylinder just underneath where the intake hose was.
Step 6
Remove the oil filter. The oil filter can be removed using the oil filter wrench. The filter wrench slips over the the filter and tightens.
Step 7
Fill the new filter with oil. Do not allow any foreign matter to get into the new filter, this can damage the engine once it is installed.
Step 8
Attach the new filter.
Step 9
Tighten the drain plug. Do not forget this step and do not add oil to the engine until this is tightened.
Step 10
Add the new oil. Most 330 Cummings engines require 11 quarts of 15w-40 oil.
References
- "Dodge Full-size Pick-ups Haynes Repair Manuals for 1994 thru 2001 with gasoline and Cummins turbo-diesel engines"; Haynes; 2002
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Socket wrench with extension
- Oil filter wrench
- Plastic bag
- Bucket/ oil pan (3 gallon minimum)
- New oil filter
- New oil
Writer Bio
Robert Kohnke has been an avid writer since 1995. Kohnke is well-versed in gardening and botany, electronic/computer repair and maintenance, and technical support. He graduated with an Associate of Arts in agricultural business from Cosumnes River College, where he is continuing his education in computer technology and computer information science.
