Too much oil after service!

My 2001 Sebring convertible recently had a simple oil change service. I
checked the oil level one morning and was surprised to see that it was 1/4
to 3/8 inch above the MAX line.

I contacted the dealer. Either it was overfilled (seems a bit stupid) or the
draining wasn't completed before it was refilled (seems a bit stupid too!).
The oil still looks very clean so he deduced that it was just too much put
in. He said it's only half a litre (about a pint).

I am sure that putting too much in can be bad for the engine, but the
service manager said that such a relatively small amount was OK.


Any comments?

 

A pint over should be fine. Its not a problem unless its so full that
the crankshaft is dipping into the oil while the engine's running and
whipping it into foam.

 

Pretty common today. They put in a certain quantity rather than
checking it with the dipstick during the refill. Saves them maybe 2
minutes off the time spent on that one work order. And as we all know
(as reminded by Gary Larsen), Einstein proved that Time = Money.

The two issues with *gross* overfilling are crankcase gaskets getting
blown, and oil-fouling of the piston rings, but the SM is probably right
- that amount over isn't going to be a big deal (although it still
doesn't excuse it). Another reason to work on your own car whenever
possible.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Oops - yes - that is the third potential problem from gross overfilling.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

I've always read that the danger was aeration of the oil and subsequent
lost of oil pressure. I think it would take gross overfilling (like
3-4X overfill) to cause the problems you list above. A quart or less
overfill can cause aeration on some engines.


Matt

 

You are probably correct.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Hiya all.

Thought that the main problem with over filling was "windage" i.e. the oil
wraps itself around the crank like rope and saps loads of power. (Well, that
and the waste of money in oil you don't need!) That's why the rally boys
have windage trays in the sump. I know it's a bit more extreme that the trip
to the supermarket but you get the idea. But then dry sumps cure that. I'll
go away and be quiet now, sorry, old age, memories and alcohol you know.

pottsy

 

A pint over shouldn't be a big deal. For once a Chrysler service manager is
telling you the truth.

If it was a quart or two, that is another story.