12h-t service

Steve, my 12HT blows just a faint whiff of black smoke on startup and I haven't lost a wink of sleep over it. Mines only done 230K though.
The fleetguard filters are very good IMHO, and are used throughout the trucking industry, so I don't think there would be any problems.

The 5K oil changes, I still do the 5K oil change even though the specs for changing the oil was done about 25 years ago when that motor came out, and the oils were not quite as advanced. I assume they took into account the quality of the lubricant at that time and 25 years on the quality of the oil is much higher to cope with the new engines.
The thing that I think about is that the design of the 12HT is not necessarily as clean burning as the new engines, so probably contaminates the oil enough to warrant more frequent oil changes.

I will happily stand corrected if I am barking up the wrong tree there.
I would love to extend my oil changes, I hate giving the oil companies more money, they get enough out of me now.

Coolant, I use Tectalloy Gold.

Dave

G'Day Steve,

Don't know much about the fleetguard filters, I use toyota filters on my 60 (2h). You should still do the oil changes at 5k regardless of the oil quality as it will still become contaminated unless you improve the filtration system. I know people who have used flushes such as CEM with good results, however probably won't fix the black smoke at start up. A puff at start up is not a problem (fairly normal), but if black smoke is generally an issue then look at injectors, timing and fuelling.

Cheers,

450.000 klms and still going strong..Service every 5000 klms if auto drop and change every 25000 klms.. Injectors at each 200.000 klms and fuel pump and turbo rebuild at 350.000 klms. I do my valve adjustment every 25000 klms as well. They have a habit of wearing out rockers. Touch wood hasnt happened yet to me. And I get the puff at start up as well dont lose sleep over it they all do it.

Steve,
I understand that the puff of black smoke is due to the Direct Injection setup of the 12HT. Like the above, it does not bother me, except when the wife is in the vehicle and I start up to close to her friends who are waving us off after a visit.... and then the comments come.

Peter

Steve,

I put some engine cleaner in mine 2 weeks ago and run for 500Km. The engine doesn't sound that rough anymore, turbo started to "sing" again and a cold start is smother as well. You only have to watch out you don't run with it to long, as it might increase oil consumption.
And I would stay with the 5000km oil change, as the engine gets older and will show some wear and tear around the cylinder.

And I learned last week in a thread here, that if you re-route your breather hose, your occasional black smoke decreases.
Done it, works perfect.