Detroit Diesel — Priming the Oil System
Maintenance
From a Detroit Diesel service manual — check it applies to your exact model before use.
Before you start
- To avoid injury from inhaling engine exhaust, always operate the engine in a well-ventilated area. Engine exhaust is toxic.
Procedure
- Make sure the engine is OFF.
- Using a 17 mm (0.6693 in.) allen tool, remove the allen head plug from the oil priming port on the module.
- Install adaptor J–49181 into the oil priming port in the oil module.
- Install tool J–45299 engine pre-lubrication kit to the fitting adaptor.
- Fill the canister with eight quarts of oil.
- Open the valve on the primer and start pumping until the container is empty.
- Fill the container with an additional eight quarts of oil and pump until the canister is empty.
- The oil system is now primed with sixteen quarts of oil; fill the oil pan with an additional thirty quarts of oil.
- Close the valve and loosen the fitting; do not completely remove it from the adaptor.
- Remove the priming adaptor from the oil module with the line attached to keep the oil from flowing out of the module.
- Install the allen head plug to the module and torque to 70-80 N·m (51-59 ft·lb).
- Start the engine and monitor the oil pressure.
- After the engine oil pressure stabilizes, shut the engine down and check the oil per the oil check guidelines.
Tools required
- 17 mm (0.6693 in.) allen tool Amazon
- J–49181 Oil System Priming Adaptor Amazon
- J–45299 engine pre-lubrication kit (priming pump) Amazon
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Torque allen head plug: 70-80 N·m (51-59 ft·lb)
- Canister fill: eight quarts of oil (twice)
- Oil pan fill: an additional thirty quarts of oil
Source: Detroit Diesel service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.