Is it better to keep the oil level full or??????

[Pablo]

MB >

quote:

---

Adding even 1/2 quart on top of a 3 quart engine is not the thing to do .

---

I agree, IF this 1/2 truly overfills the engine. But what we are talking about is NOT overfilling, we are talking about keeping the oil at the scientific MAX qty. A big difference.

The reasons: Dilution is the solution to pollution

 

[Motorbike]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pablo:

But what we are talking about is NOT overfilling, we are talking about keeping the oil at the scientific MAX qty. A big difference.

---

I beg to differ

The thread strayed off topic to purposely overfilling....... thus my reply

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spector:
Once I refill the transmission I check it hot for a few days post refill but then rarely ever do again unless I see some seepage. With no seepage there really is no way for the fluid to decrease unlike engine oil. Do you also check the rear differential if you have a rear wheel drive every once in a while. I know of no one that does that, just look for seepage

---

Hmmm, too bad the diff doesn't have a dip stick.

 

[Whimsey]

I guess I'm lucky. For the 3 vehicles in the family adding what the manual says brings all of them to the full mark. Two of the dipsticks have a "safe range" marked with a crosshatch pattern and then they have another mark above that that is the absolute fullest you can have. Funny thing is the owner's manual has more ****ing language about being overfilled than underfilled

. So I'll take their word for it and keep it where it belongs. Of course what do you do if your dipstick reads low to mid range just after you filled with the correct amount in the manual. Case in point I have a 2002 4.6 V-8 Ford with a manual transmission and with the 6 quart recommendation it reads full. I've known other owner's of the same engine model with an auto transmission and with 6 quarts their dipsticks have shown anywhere from just minimum to halfway. In that case do you add extra oil or just use that as your "full" mark?

Whimsey

 

[Blue99]

Usually, the measuring device reflects the accuracy required for the measurement.

A dipstick is not by any means, an accurate measuring device, capable of .001 inch accuracy.

Manufacturing & assembly tolerances probably result in variations of a 1/16 inch(1.5mm) of the assembled height of the dipstick & tube assembly from engine to engine.

I think the viewpoint of "run the oil level up to the line & no higher" is a bit extreme considering the accuracy limitations of a dipstick measuring device.

 

[Cyprs]

This is getting to be a hot topic, could the posters in here with 1/2 to 1 1/2 quart overfill do an experiement and post results.

Run your engine normally and stop engine and immediately check oil condition for foaming, please post what you find. If there is no excessive foaming action you are probably okay, again I stay at full mark or reluctantly tolerate about 1/8 inch overfill.

After buying my 92 Dodge diesel I did the proper procedure of warming up transmission etc and checked my trans fluid, it was was right on the full mark but *overfilled* because the transmission fluid heat was comfortable to the touch. Dodge has a second mark in crosshatches 3/4 way down from full mark to add for this fluid temp. The full mark is for *hot* fluid. I drained that transmission fluid down to that specific low heat mark, if I didn't, I could be 1 inch overfilled when I drove that truck with a load in the heat, that would be serious air in that fluid, an over filled transmission will show foaming on dipstick too.

The engineers designed those marks on that dipstick to properly lubricate that transmission running at cool temps or on heat load in order to prevent damage. Fluid expands on heat. My transmission shifted smoother and more positive after, the previous owner tried to maintain the transmission by having fluid at full mark to his credit, but he did not read his manual, obviously.

Cyprs

 

[moribundman]

My Audi takes 5 liters (5.2 quarts). Many people who have the same engine say they get lifter noise if the engine oil level drops near the "MIN" mark.

Half a quart over should really not matter. Not sure about a quart or more, especially if you drive steep inclines. Then you might get a problem.

 

[Cyprs]

Patman, that is a good sign if the oil is not foaming, thanks for trying that, I was curious on that much overfill, I use that foam check to ensure I am okay with oil fill if I am over full mark.

I was in a G.M. shop in Medicine Hat, AB. in early 90's, I saw an irate customer come to the service desk, the Chev oil jockey forgot to drain his oil prior to the fill & sent the car out. The crank had a good bath anyway, I think walking papers were issued that day.

Blue99, I mentioned the transmission fluid only as an example to back up my belief in following engineer specs on dipstick markings, didn't try to change topic.

Cyprs

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cyprs:
Blue99, I mentioned the transmission fluid only as an example to back up my belief in following engineer specs on dipstick markings, didn't try to change topic.

---

Well, I guess I was the one that started the transmission stuff. But I am glad the motor oil is easy to check and the hard ones (transmission and rear end) don't need much checking. (Still would have fun with a differential dipstick though

)

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cyprs:
This is getting to be a hot topic, could the posters in here with 1/2 to 1 1/2 quart overfill do an experiement and post results.

Run your engine normally and stop engine and immediately check oil condition for foaming, please post what you find. If there is no excessive foaming action you are probably okay, again I stay at full mark or reluctantly tolerate about 1/8 inch overfill.

---

I've done that with both of my cars and both are 1/2 quart to 3/4 over (2000 Civic, 1998 Corvette) and I see no evidence of foaming on the dipsticks.

I'm not sure if the Corvette's LS1 will take a full 1.5 quarts over like the F-body LS1 will, since they use different oil pans, and the Corvette already gets an extra quart of capacity over the f-body anyways (6.5 vs 5.5) I run 7 liters of oil in mine. I have heard that GM even recommends to add one quart over on the Corvette if it's being roadraced though.

 

[Blue99]

IMHO, I thought the topic was about crankcase/sump oil levels, not transmission fluid levels.

Automotive transmissions typically run at higher temps & pressures and fluid expansion, due to temperature & pressure, is more of a critical factor in a transmission application.

 

[Dr. T]

Mori, I agree...I can hear increased valvetrain noise when the dipstick is at 1/2 or less below the full mark. Although the owner's manual states that anywhere in this range is safe to operate the engine. Wonder why the increased noise?

 

[moribundman]

Dr.T, is this happening with your BMW?

I don't know why the oil level in the sump would have an audible effect on the lifters. As long as oil flow is normal, meaning the pick-up tube is immersed in oil, how can there be any change in whether the lifters fill properly? And yet, I keep hearing this lifter noise claim being made by fellow Audi owners. I never let the oil level drop more than about half a quart, so I can't confirm it. I know the retention valves in the heads can have an effect on lifter noise...