How bad is this problem.

4792 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Shadofax, Jan 18, 2016

rvittori

Discussion Starter · Dec 13, 2015

Last week after having the car for a couple of weeks (one of which it was in the shop to fix the hatch issue I had), I checked the oil. It was cold that day (40F) but I ran the engine, let it sit for 15 minutes and it appeared low. Just 1/4 on the min-max range.

I didn't have to add oil technically but I did. I brought it up to what I though was 3/4 on the min-max range on the dip stick.

Today I went our on errands, came home, let the car sit for half an hour and checked the oil. Temp out side is warm (60F).

It looks like I have too much oil. Over the min-max line on the dip stick.

I know you don't want to run over filled due to possible foaming. There is no evidence of this but just how bad is it?

I can take it to the dealer for an oil change or ask them to suck out some oil. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

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doyall

· #2 · Dec 13, 2015

I noticed a similar occurrence on mine ... changed the oil and filter last weekend, filled with the specified 6 (actually 5.9) quarts of fresh oil, did a one mile run-in and then checked the level. It was half way between add and full. Checked this morning when stone cold after sitting all night and it shows at the full mark. I attributed it to the time interval the car sat thereby allowing all of the oil that was in the top end of the engine to drain to the pan. (I will not mention any other possibilities at this point.)

That brings me to the Owner's Manual, pages 293 - 294:

When checking the oil level:
* park the vehicle on a level surface.
* the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
* if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement
...........
! Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off

What I would do is follow the manual's suggestion: run the engine to normal operating temperature, allow to sit for five minutes then check. That very well may resolve your concerns. (This indirectly relates back to a topic briefly discussion on a different thread: measurements are ideally taken under as consistent of circumstances as possible.)

Regarding an oil change, not necessary per the manual if overfilled. Only extraction is necessary if overfilled.

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rvittori

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 13, 2015

Just did the normal operating temp and wait five minutes check. Too much oil. I'll head over to the dealer tomorrow morning and ask them to remove some.

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rvittori

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 18, 2015

Went to the dealer. They took out some oil. They said I was just barely over so I shouldn't worry. They also told me that the car will tell me when I'm down a quart of oil with a white light. When I see that, just add a quart. If the light is yellow, I'm down 2 quarts and if the oil light ever come on as red, I shoul stop immediately and get a tow.

I did not know the car was designed like that.

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WhiteRabbit

· #5 · Dec 18, 2015

Never trust the first reading of the oil level on the dip stick.
Pull out the dipstick, clean it, insert it back into the engine.
Remove the dipstick again and check the level.

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rvittori

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 18, 2015

WhiteRabbit said:
Never trust the first reading of the oil level on the dip stick.
Pull out the dipstick, clean it, insert it back into the engine.
Remove the dipstick again and check the level.

I did that like 4 times and I knew it was low. The dealer thought I didn't wait long enough after I added some oil for it to flow down to the crankcase when I rechecked it.

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m-type

· #7 · Dec 18, 2015

Years back i went through a similar situation in my small honda, was super nervous about it. It was only a tad over MAX but when your engine revs to nine thousands rpm you get anxious.

Most engines will allow for some leeway even after the MAX level but of course it depends on how much extra you put in as well.

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Shadofax

· #8 · Jan 18, 2016

rvittori said:
Last week after having the car for a couple of weeks (one of which it was in the shop to fix the hatch issue I had), I checked the oil. It was cold that day (40F) but I ran the engine, let it sit for 15 minutes and it appeared low. Just 1/4 on the min-max range.

I didn't have to add oil technically but I did. I brought it up to what I though was 3/4 on the min-max range on the dip stick.

Today I went our on errands, came home, let the car sit for half an hour and checked the oil. Temp out side is warm (60F).

It looks like I have too much oil. Over the min-max line on the dip stick.

I know you don't want to run over filled due to possible foaming. There is no evidence of this but just how bad is it?

I can take it to the dealer for an oil change or ask them to suck out some oil. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

The motor will be very finicky with what's on the dipstick depending on how long after you ran it and then checked the oil. Generally speaking if you check the oil cold it will likely show "full" or higher. That same day, if you run the car awhile and check it say 10 mins after stop, it might show low, perhaps needing a top off, but if you let it sit another 20 mins, all is good. Don't freak on all this. Most manuf. prefer you to check oil level once driven, and once it's been sitting without running for 15-20 mins. If it looks a tad low, leave it, don't overfill the motor.

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