slight overfill Topic is solved

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 24 Jan 2022, 16:28

Last time I go to an oil change place - they overfilled to about 1/16" above the zig zag y bent part of the dip stick - sorry I can't think of a better way to describe it. . Will this hurt anything or do I need to drain it out?

chris11211 · Post by **chris11211** » 25 Jan 2022, 04:13

Make sure you get the reading in flat ground. Can you park on flat ground, turn the engine off for a minute, clean the dipstick, reinsert and put off so you can get an accurate measurement. And maybe post a picture.

The oil level should be at the top bar that is laser printed into the stick. If it's at the bend then it's pretty overfilled. Too much lubricant in the system can cause pressure on the crankshaft to increase, and that's a nasty bill w/ timing belt if the front crankshaft blows. Rear camshaft is under $200 for indie mech. Maybe there's a warranty at the oil change place?

Post by **abscate** » 25 Jan 2022, 04:22

The zig zag is pretty high above the hash marks isn’t it ? Like 2 cm?

If do, I would take some out

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 25 Jan 2022, 07:29

Thanks - I'll try to loosen the drain plug and drain some out later today. I tried to pull some out through the dipstick this morning, but that didn't work (motor oil tastes terrible). Car doesn't seem to be leaking but I'm taking no chances. I think this will get messy.

Post by **BlackBart** » 25 Jan 2022, 08:31

If you have a shallow drain pan, you can loosen the drain bolt, unscrew it by hand so you don’t drop it in the oil, let it drain for (a few seconds?), and pop it back in quickly. Check the level again.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 25 Jan 2022, 10:01

Unscrew it until it leaks - and wait until it looks like enough has dribbled out. Using a clean container, in case I drained too much. Look like about a quart should do it..

Post by **BlackBart** » 25 Jan 2022, 10:06

Good idea, and less messy!

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 25 Jan 2022, 10:15

I was told i could siphon through the dipstick tube, so I put a hose down there and tried to start a siphon by mouth. Not only did it not work, I got some synthetic oil in my mouth. Ugh. So under the car...

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 25 Jan 2022, 13:09

azureblue wrote: ↑25 Jan 2022, 10:15 I was told i could siphon through the dipstick tube, so I put a hose down there and tried to start a siphon by mouth. Not only did it not work, I got some synthetic oil in my mouth. Ugh. So under the car...

You've earned at least 20 MVS points for effort, at least. Typically that syphoning would be done with a hand pump.

Once you have the oil bolt out, don't let your brain freak out like mine did and drop the bolt into the oil. Makes it a bit tougher to gauge how much oil you've drained when you're hurriedly fishing the drain bolt from a bucket. It comes out fast when the pan is full, will probably only take a few seconds to get a half quart.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 25 Jan 2022, 16:01

Partially remove the plug with the oil cold. Less likely to fumble the plug and drop it.
If you have a hand vacuum pump, you can use a small tube down the dip stick tube and suck out the excess. These hand vacuums have many uses - samples, leak testing, brake bleeding, etc.
volvolugnut