Speaking of checking oil.... mine never shows anything on the dipstick until you wipe it off and then put it back in and recheck, unless of course you add some oil. Don't know why this is but that might have been happening to him when he checked it causing him to think it was really low on oil.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k