How bad is it when you overfill a crankcase?

[P20565R16]

As in, more or less one quart. I wanted to top up an engine with old oil that appears to be at its full level with a quart of thinner oil, would this be OK or would it result in catastrophe?

The engine is a Ford 4.9L Inline 6, it is for one of my uncles that has one and has old oil but cant change it yet.

 

[apwillard1986]

The oil reads full but you wish to top it off?

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: apwillard1986
The oil reads full but you wish to top it off?


+1 I am not sure why you would? If you want to replace a quart you can remove the oil filter, drain it, reinstall and run then top it off but I am not sure why you would want to? If it aint broke.....

 

[demarpaint]

1/2 qt over should be OK, a qt. over not good, I'd drain some. Simply put, too much oil can "foam" causing tiny air bubbles, and air bubbles don't lubricate very well. The easiest way to get some oil out is remove the filter and dump the oil out, repeat if necessary. Use caution and check the filter for leaks if you use this method.

 

[racer12306]

+1 on removing the filter, especially on that engine.

If it's due for change a super cheap oil change with supplies from Walmart, should be right around $20 for oil (SuperTech) and filter (Purolator).

 

[Bamaro]

Not sure what good you would accomplish by doing that

 

[oggb]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Adding a quart and letting the crank whip the oil in to chocolate mousse is gonna be a lot worse than just letting it be with old oil.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
1/2 qt over should be OK, a qt. over not good, I'd drain some. Simply put, too much oil can "foam" causing tiny air bubbles, and air bubbles don't lubricate very well. The easiest way to get some oil out is remove the filter and dump the oil out, repeat if necessary. Use caution and check the filter for leaks if you use this method.

Exactly what happened when I was 18. I checked and added 1qt of oil on a hill like a fool. Driving on the highway I felt the engine lose power and a strange "sloshing" sound. I Pull over, its foamed up! Unscrewed the filter, let some oil out, screwed it back, drove away. Problem solved! Sorry green people, we didn't think about it back then.

 

[P20565R16]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
1/2 qt over should be OK, a qt. over not good, I'd drain some. Simply put, too much oil can "foam" causing tiny air bubbles, and air bubbles don't lubricate very well. The easiest way to get some oil out is remove the filter and dump the oil out, repeat if necessary. Use caution and check the filter for leaks if you use this method.

Exactly what happened when I was 18. I checked and added 1qt of oil on a hill like a fool. Driving on the highway I felt the engine lose power and a strange "sloshing" sound. I Pull over, its foamed up! Unscrewed the filter, let some oil out, screwed it back, drove away. Problem solved! Sorry green people, we didn't think about it back then.


I like that filter idea. Would be nice if I could do just a regular oil change on it but for now that will do. Might go to Walmart and pick up a ST oil filter, it is the black can, from what I hear they are decent, not the best but priced right and if it works and I got the filter off then I got $3 soo...

 

[LeakySeals]

If you unscrew the filter right after you shut down hot about 1/2 qt will come out. Because more oil is held in front of filter by the adbv (for a while till it cools off). If you unscrew cold you will only get whats inside the filter which is not much. No worries unscrewing or removing a filter then putting it back on. I use the Fram Ultra 15k filter, so I do it all the time. Use it twice.

 

[racer12306]

Most of your walmarts should have Purolator filters. I believe they list at $3.50 or less.

 

[Voltmaster]

if it needs a change, do an change.
if it needs more oil , top it off to near line.

if none of the above, leave it alone.


It shouldnt damage it , but whats the point? most of the oil is already dirty....

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster

- if it needs a change, do an change.
- if it needs more oil , top it off to near line.
- if none of the above, leave it alone.


^^^ LOL. Yes this!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
If you unscrew the filter right after you shut down hot about 1/2 qt will come out. Because more oil is held in front of filter by the adbv (for a while till it cools off). If you unscrew cold you will only get whats inside the filter which is not much. No worries unscrewing or removing a filter then putting it back on. I use the Fram Ultra 15k filter, so I do it all the time. Use it twice.


+ 1 I've removed and reused a few filters myself, never had a problem with a leak either. Having said that, after removing and re-installing the same filter I do check for leaks just to be sure.

 

[P20565R16]

Originally Posted By: racer12306
Most of your walmarts should have Purolator filters. I believe they list at $3.50 or less.


I should go with the white can Purolator to the black can Supertech ? Even if I cant change the oil right then and there you are right, I have $3.50 for one of the two, you recommend Purolator? How about PureOne ?

To be fair, I used to put Purolator on all my cars when I went to the store to buy oil and filter in the pre-Walmart days I never used to shop there as much as I do now, so perhaps there is no reason to use the Supertech back can filter, are they BAD filters?

 

[TFB1]

The Pure One filters are good as are the Motorcraft... After having start up knock on a 26K mi 4.6 Ford, I won't touch a Purolator Classic, never had problem before or since with Pure One or the MC...

 

[racer12306]

PureOne is a good filter, it's just going to cost you double.