Is this too much oil?

An engine isn't overfilled until the crank starts hitting the oil causing it to foam or worse it's so overfilled it starts smoking and runs bad. If the oil is clear and it runs fine then it's no big deal. I overfill my old sierra by a quart so I don't have to top up later.
 
Top end seepage, hydrolock, mechanical interference, blowby, fouling. This dipstick showed a pretty severe overfill situation and there is no need whatsoever to live with it, amirite?
Yes this would happen if he added at least another 1/2 gallon or so. Probably would take more.

You are wrong in this case. The level of overfill will cause zero problems. I think you should see what happens when the oil pump almost instantly comes up to pressure. The level in the sump drops dramatically.

OK yes easy to drain, just a new filter in this case, but no need to cause this person stress and worry over something that simply is not the case.
 
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Turn the dipstick over and see if it is the same level. People get crazy checking some dipsticks that look a qt over on one side and the correct level on the other side. I have one.
If it is the same it looks about 1/2 a qt and should not be an issue.
Agreed. Dipstick readings can be difficult and inaccurate. When the oil is relatively new and pale I usually need to take three or more readings before I get a clear line of oil on one side of the dipstick.
 
In 2024, as far as a metric device (as in measuring), the dipstick in your engine is nearly, if not the least, accurate and precise intrument on the entire bloody car.

You can say it's a bit of an art to read the thing.

The dipstick on my Tacoma is almost joke worthy.
 
I agree on both sides of the dipstick. Always believe the lowest side.

I guess I gotta be THAT guy to say this is why you avoid quick lubes.

OP, see also:


I wouldn't worry
 
:ROFLMAO: Come on. There is no reason to scare the guy. It is overfilled but not that much. Another things is , we are all a bit confused by his photo at first. Yet if one takes the time and looks good , he is holding it horizontal by the feet in the photo. I would be a little pi**ed at the Quicky Lube and stay away from them but there will be no damage to the vehicle.
 
Yes this would happen if he added at least another 1/2 gallon or so. Probably would take more.

You are wrong in this case. The level of overfill will cause zero problems. I think you should see what happens when the oil pump almost instantly comes up to pressure. The level in the sump drops dramatically.

OK yes easy to drain, just a new filter in this case, but no need to cause this person stress and worry over something that simply is not the case.
Even if you are right, what about the stress of the oil reading that high on the dipstick? Who among BITOGERS needs that?
 
I assume the quick change oil places probably fill by what the computer says the engine requires and then what the gauge on the hose says. So if the computer says the engine takes 4.5 QT then they fill by the gauge on their hose 4.5 QT.

Is the gauge accurate?

Don't think they want to wait for all the oil to drain into the oil pan and take an accurate dipstick reading.

So shyster gas stations of yesteryear would pull the dipstick out, wipe it and then push the dipstick down with their thumb in the way so it showed a QT low. Bring it over and show the driver it needed a QT. Driver would say yes. They push the metal pouring spout into an empty oil can and pour in nothing. Charge $2 for a QT of oil.
 
I agree on both sides of the dipstick. Always believe the lowest side.

I guess I gotta be THAT guy to say this is why you avoid quick lubes.

OP, see also:


I wouldn't worry


Unless your car is a Lada I would worry.

The tolerances in a Soviet era car are going to be different than a modern one.

I wouldn't overfill.
 
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@LDJ you're just gonna have to go with your gut here.

We've got some real fear-mongers ‐‐ some were being sarcastic but some are dead serious.

Use your best judgment. Life goes on.
 
I'm going with whoever had this vehicle prior also belongs on BITOG

2002 Acura TL sType with 204k miles on it and the there is no dark anything after an oil change. Dipstick looks brand new.

My cars are very good, also clean but that is really clean.

Mine I would correct the level to start but shouldn't cause harm with that.

The "it's totaled" is BITOG humor for when when someone says I used "slightly thinner or thicker viscosity, non synthetic, euro in an asian vehicle" etc. Basically 99.9% of the time it will have no effect on anything for motor and you will live.

Of course for me the time I used a thicker a quart in FIL's car to top off, the next day oil pressure light came on, went to shop, and a week later needed a new motor. It wasn't from the quart of thicker oil with what it was already using BUT is the butt of jokes toward me in my house.
 
Of course for me the time I used a thicker a quart in FIL's car to top off, the next day oil pressure light came on, went to shop, and a week later needed a new motor. It wasn't from the quart of thicker oil with what it was already using BUT is the butt of jokes toward me in my house.
Sometimes when I have known oil burners in the shop, I use a heavier weight and don't even tell the owner. Examples include most Subarus (esp FBs that call out 0W20) and old, tired V8s.

I have one guy who has obvious, diagnosable OCD (picture Tweak from South Park) with an '11 Forester. He brings his own oil and blabs while I change it. He simply CANNOT bring himself to run anything other than 0W20 because that's what the cap says. He uses a quart every 900 to 1000 miles, even with only 80k on the motor.
 
The best advice for folks is to avoid :cautious:Quicky Lube places all together. I have talked with some of the managers in the past. They have a constant fight to find and keep any workers and they pay them minimum wages to do a tough job. Lots of them have total 100% zero experience with automobiles so can one just imagine how things can turn out!? If one can not do your own oil changes anymore (like me-disabled) get someone you can trust (my nephew does mine) at home. He also does any automotive work I need done even if I have to tell him what to do. If one cant find someone to do it at home I would trust Walmart as you can stand and watch exactly what they do.
 
Neither would I.

Problem should be taken care of. I agree with the easy part. New empty filter easy, loosening plug and dripping out easy. The lube place should know, not right.

But will this overfill harm the car? Solid no.

What's with the overfill posts lately?
A new vector for trolling, perhaps?

“Will thin oil kill my engine” posts have worn, ah, thin….
 
A new vector for trolling, perhaps?

“Will thin oil kill my engine” posts have worn, ah, thin….
The rounded top of the oil line appears to indicate it was held upside down or at least running up the dipstick after removed from engine.
 
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