What is a 'bulk oil fill'

[Pete Masterson]

The bulk oil fill system on my coach is as follows:

It hold about 3 gallons of oil. Enough to top off when the dip stick
shows low, but not anywhere enough for an oil change. If you go to my
photo album at
<http://homepage.mac.com/aeonix1/Bluebird...bum10.html>
and look at photo number 95lxi4218 (6th row, right side) you can see
the 'trigger' (red and gray) for the bulk oil fill on the right just
above the light-blue canister (that holds the power steering fluid).
The quantity indicator dial is just above the trigger -- it's round,
silver and blue. The tank is not visible, but is behind the small
bulkhead with the Racor filter and the blue canister attached.

It is powered by air pressure. You flip a switch (that opens an
electric valve to let the air into the system), then a red light
comes on. You then squeeze a trigger-type handle and the oil starts
moving. A counter lets you know how much oil you're adding. (On my
coach, the 'low' mark on the dip stick is down 1 gallon). It can take
a few minutes for all the oil to reach the pan, especially if the
engine is cold (which it may not be if you started the engine to get
the air up so you can run the bulk oil filler). In any event, the
manual says wait 15 minutes before checking the oil level again.

After topping off the oil, be sure to turn off the switch. It's a
common way to have an "unexplained air loss."

It is a sorta-clean hands way to add oil. I say "sorta" because
nothing in the engine compartment remains clean for very long. I wear
disposable vinyl gloves while checking the oil, etc. So, it does
allow you to remain reasonably clean.

(1) I've discovered that my engine "likes" to run about 1/2 gallon (2
qts) low. Whenever I top it off to the full mark on the dipstick, it
drops down to about half-way between the full and low mark. If I
don't top it off, it stays about half-way between the full and low mark.

(2) I don't know if it's possible to retrofit -- and I don't know if
they're available on an FC. The unit takes up a fair amount of space
-- mine is nestled to the curb side of the engine right behind the
power steering fluid reservoir.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Sep 2, 2007, at 6:51 PM, Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> I have read about a bulk oil fill system but never got a good
> description of what it is. I would assume is is a tank and a pump
> arrangement. Is the pump manual of electric? How much oil does it
> hold? Is there an aftermarket system available?
>
> The reason I ask is that it is a pain to bring in the long funnel
> and a container of oil plus rags or paper towels to clean up. It would
> be nice to be able to top off the oil with the push of a button.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]