OK time to fess up. Last weekend, with a lot of presure to get to a party in NYC, I dumped some off-spec engine oil in the lil' tractor. My wife ignores this poor little thing and I rarely get to play...er...drive it so it had been a while since I gave it some attention...and the oil level was just getting on the dip-stick!

It was Sunday (not many places open) and we were in a truck stop for some good diesel...so I dumped in some truck engine oil in there figuring "Better some wrong oil than no oil". It was definitely not synthetic, highest rating was a CF and it was 25-W40 (I have 5 w40 in there).

Question: Should I run screaming for an oil change now, or can I wait the 2-3k more until it is scheduled?

Obviously I should go for the change...but I'm looking for absolution here. Someone tell me this wasn't a bad move... I can hear Oldnavy scolding me now....

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff

look at it as a chance to do "dilution is the solution" and get a really good clean oil change.

heck sometimes I do just what you are talking about with cheap oil to kinda rinse everything out.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

You are most likely just fine...just don't do it again

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

LOL never have I heard about a KJ needing extra oil before. Mine never leaves the top end of the dipsticks measuring area for some reason.

Last time i drove 12,000miles without adding or changing oil in it and I still didn't need to refill it. I actually was afraid I had a leaky head gasket (and water were replacing the oil) but no foam on the filler cap and temperature and performance has been sublime. When I changed the oil only oil came out and there wasn't a problem. I just thought it was odd there was so much oil in it after such a long change interval.

So how long since the little CRD had its oil changed when you saw that dipstick? Is it possible the shop didn't put enough oil in it from the start?

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L.O.S.T forever!
Silver 2002 Skoda Fabia TDI, 235,000km
Former car: Jeep KJ 2003 CRD

DIESEL - saving millions of liters of petrol every day!

Uffe, I typically add 1 quart per 10,000 miles. I have 70,000 miles on the engine and it has used that amount of oil consumption since I got it with 17,000 miles on her.

oil consumptions is not something to really worry about unless it is excessive...Caterpillar spec says that a gallon of oil per 220 gallons of diesel consumed is ok...

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2008 KK Liberty Sport NIGHT OPS EDITION + GILLS
OEM & Custom Skids - Factory Tow Package - Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
Prototype JBA 4 Inch Lift - JBA UCA's - Flowmaster Super 44 OR - Whacked Resonator
Jet Stage 2 - RL Gecko Basket Rack - Custom Winch Bumper - Recon 10.5K Winch

If it was the middle of summer I would say just wait 'till your normal change interval. Fresh CF oil would provide adequate protection for 2 -3 thousand miles. Since it's winter and you live in a cold climate I would get it changed ASAP. 25W40 cannot be good for low temperature starting and lubrication in an engine designed for 0W-40.

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2006 CRD Limited, pretty much optioned out
DOB March 13, 2006
"Raging Inferno" red

The only time I get a good reading on the dipstick is when the Jeep has sat on a level surface for at least 5 minutes. When I checked the oil level at stations the oil level was either overfull or way low only to find out later that the level was fine. Have you rechecked your oil level on a known level surface since adding oil? It may be over full now.

After I was F37ed my rear seal leaked for a while but has since stopped completely. There is normally no datable movement on the stick between 6k oil changes. I used 3/4 of a quart in the first 13k miles and 3/4 of a quart after F37. That is the only oil I have added in 52k miles other than changes.

There is no vacuum in the intake manifold like a gasser so oil is not sucked past the rings and valve guides until advanced wear on a high mileage or damaged engine. I don't believe that our engines use zero oil. I think that some oil is replaced by some soot and fuel getting past the rings over time making it appear that none is used.

As long as your engine starts in cold weather I wouldn't worry about the non-specified oil until the next change. You might want to give the turbo a little extra cool down after a hard run.

My diesel mechanic friend says this regarding any oil issue, "If you are worried about the oil, dump it, an early oil change never hurt anything."