Engine Oil Overfill

[Eddie_Tahoe]

Hey all. I drove home from a regular oil change and didn't notice anything unusual but next day saw oil level was a little high (at about the R in "OPERATING RANGE" on dipstick, see picture). Service invoice says 6qt went in. Took a short drive, pressure seemed higher than normal (about 50psi), slowly dropped to around 25psi steady as truck warmed up. Should I be worried, try to drain some out? THANK YOU!

 

[Eddie_Tahoe]

Sorry truck is the 5.7L V8, 1999.

 

[Jimmyy]

I would smell the dip stick just to make sure you don't have fuel in the oil. If it checks out then remove some oil.

 

[OR VietVet]

Your owner's manual should say 5 quarts. That engine is a 5 quart engine. Take it back, asap, and have them correct the level. They added 6 quarts, as the invoice says and it does look to be 1 quart over full on the dipstick.

 

[OR VietVet]

That invoice also tells you they pumped in oil and never checked the level. Idiots!!!
You need to get some tools and a drain pan and do it yourself.

 

[homesick]

Too much oil can be whipped and aerated by the crank, possibly causing damage like the oil level is too low.

I recommend taking OR VietVet's posts to heart.

joe

 

[Fless]

Did you read the other side of the dipstick? It might show a lower level; always use the lower level reading. And be sure to read it with the vehicle on a level surface, with the engine not having run for 10 or 15 min to allow the oil to drain from the upper engine.

 

[OR VietVet]

When pic of dipstick was shot, was the dipstick being held vertical or horizontal?

 

[homesick]

That invoice also tells you they pumped in oil and never checked the level. Idiots!!!
You need to get some tools and a drain pan and do it yourself.

... and check it each time, before you leave their facility.

I have no disagreement with Fless' post but, in my experience, his recommendations are for reading and adjusting in finer increments than what you're dealing with here; especially if they've over-filled you.

If GM's gone from 5 qt capacity to 6 qt capacity, over filling an older engine just gets more likely.

joe

 

[Fless]

... and check it each time, before you leave their facility.

I have no disagreement with Fless' post but, in my experience, his recommendations are for reading and adjusting in finer increments than what you're dealing with here; especially if they've over-filled you.

If GM's gone from 5 qt capacity to 6 qt capacity, over filling an older engine just gets more likely.

joe

Unlevel ground can make a difference, too.

 

[Eddie_Tahoe]

I appreciate all the great advice folks! Manual says 5qt. Reading slightly lower on back side of dipstick (about at O instead of R in "OPERATING RANGE"). Dipstick wasn't perfectly horizontal when I took pic. Reading probably a little high. It's a good 1/2-3/4" past top hole in any case. Street its parked on not perfectly level but not that far off.

Dipstick smells like oil to me with no obvious fuel odor.

Shop's half hour away and driving back sounds risky. Tried to crack drain plug to let a little out but way too tight. Afraid I'll break ratchet, plug, or shoulder if I keep at it. Setup here no good for wrenching anyway. Ordered a big syringe so I can try pulling some out from dipstick tube. Guess I'm not driving anywhere for a few days.

Thanks again. Seem like easy fix. I just hope no damage is done. Do the pressure readings sound weird?

 

[15burban]

What were your pressure readings before the oil change? Every vehicle can be a little different. Even different oil filters or a defective bypass valve can give different readings.

If I were in your shoes I would call the place, tell them the situation, send them the picture if you want or they ask for it, and tell them you are driving it there or towing it at their expense. If driving it if something happens to the motor on the way there it's on their dime. After they fix their mistake don't go back there.

 

[OR VietVet]

So you were using a ratchet and socket and could not break the drain plug loose. That is straight up bull*s*h*i*t. Drain plug too tight and I bet the filter is too and overfilled. They would pay me double my money back because of the drive there and to get me out of there. Incompetence for an oil change is terrible.

I had a customer tell me one day that oil changes are easy. I said, "You are right, if they are done correctly".

 

[PPV_2018]

So you were using a ratchet and socket and could not break the drain plug loose. That is straight up bull*s*h*i*t. Drain plug too tight and I bet the filter is too and overfilled. They would pay me double my money back because of the drive there and to get me out of there.

wow what’s crazy is i was going to say the exact same thing!

I usually dread the first oil change on any new to me vehicle because I’m already knowing the p.o. Probably had the changes done at a shop where they used an impact at max setting to put the plug on .

With the Ppv, it was not the drain plug but the damn filter that crumpled like a wet cookie because it was installed so tight … like come on , seriously

 

[Eman85]

Put the truck on level ground and let it sit allowing the oil to drain back to the pan if it's been run. Wipe the stick clean and take a reading. Look carefully at both sides of the stick. Many times the stick will rub the tube and smear oil making it read wrong.

 

[Eddie_Tahoe]

What were your pressure readings before the oil change? Every vehicle can be a little different. Even different oil filters or a defective bypass valve can give different readings.

If I were in your shoes I would call the place, tell them the situation, send them the picture if you want or they ask for it, and tell them you are driving it there or towing it at their expense. If driving it if something happens to the motor on the way there it's on their dime. After they fix their mistake don't go back there.

Honestly never paid much attention to pressure readings before. I know they were always in range. Otherwise I'd have noticed. Best I can recall maybe 20-25psi (about 10 or 11 o'clock) was normal. Can't remember if it went higher while warming up or not.

In principle I know y'all are right but also inclined to cut losses. Like I'm supposed to trust this shop to make it right? Might well just make it worse. If motor seizes on the way there I can yell all I want but what can I really do, sue them? If I can pull some oil out the top at least I can trust myself to get the level right and hope for the best.

Saddest part is this is the 6th supposedly reputable shop I've tried in the area and the rest were no better. Until now this one seemed like the best.

Grateful for your advice.

 

[homesick]

Honestly never paid much attention to pressure readings before. I know they were always in range. Otherwise I'd have noticed. Best I can recall maybe 20-25psi (about 10 or 11 o'clock) was normal. Can't remember if it went higher while warming up or not.

In principle I know y'all are right but also inclined to cut losses. Like I'm supposed to trust this shop to make it right? Might well just make it worse. If motor seizes on the way there I can yell all I want but what can I really do, sue them? If I can pull some oil out the top at least I can trust myself to get the level right and hope for the best.

Saddest part is this is the 6th supposedly reputable shop I've tried in the area and the rest were no better. Until now this one seemed like the best.

Grateful for your advice.

LOL, detailing shops are no better when you're tall enough to see that they often skip the roof. I've had 3 places, so far, do that; plus another that did ceramic on my truck.

joe

 

[Jimmyy]

I had a DD with the 3800, the dealer put 2x the amount of oil in it. I'm guessing 4-5 qts before lunch and 4-5 after lunch. I put close to 1k miles on it before I checked the oil. It just sounded different at Idle. I drove back to the dealer asap once I checked it. The service writer told we're too busy for an oil change. I told you better check my oil level before you send me away. It was the 3rd time he checked it that he looked at me and I said yeah its over filled. So they removed all the extra oil plus another 1/2qt. Lol But the car had no side effects. That when I learned for the umpteenth time always check their work. I had the airbox not put back together 2 times at different shops, the oil cap not put back on a few. 1 time at a quick oil change place I had jump out in the shop a d tell them to shut the engine off as all the oil was coming out of the fliter. No sure if it was loose or not even installed.

 

[Jimmyy]

It's to the point my wife " why do you watch what I do all the time". Me: "so I know how to undo/fix it later". It's all about making friends where ever you go.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Saddest part is this is the 6th supposedly reputable shop I've tried in the area and the rest were no better. Until now this one seemed like the best.

Grateful for your advice.

I would try to find a good independent shop and bring your own oil and filter. That is what i do. They charge 20 bucks to change it.

If i am out of town I go the the Chevrolet dealer.