Oil Overfill
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: New York
Oil Overfill
Just had my oil changed on my standard C6 at the local Chevy Dealership. I doubled checked the oil level when I got home and found the oil level on the dip stick read above the top line on the dip stick, probably about a 1/4 of a inch. I believe that they put in 6 qts. instead of the 5.5 qts. that is recommended. Should I go back and have them remove the extra or will this not hurt anything. I thought about getting ramps and start changing it myself and now I think I will from now on. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
personally i dont see it as a problem
i know on my TA i've been told its ok to even go a qt above, especially if i turn high rpms so the pan doesnt drain out (ok this applies more to 1/4 mile racing situations)
some builders will add 2qts instead of a large pan... call it a sleeper effect
and i've had that info from 3 very well know engine building shops (Butler, Hendrick, and Shafiroff)
road racing... that would be a different story
some will also say that can hurt by having to much in (lower splashing issues)
but a 1/2 over not a major concern
could always pull the filter to remove some
but again... not needed
just my thoughts
would i say something the next time at the shop, couldn't hurt
i know on my TA i've been told its ok to even go a qt above, especially if i turn high rpms so the pan doesnt drain out (ok this applies more to 1/4 mile racing situations)
some builders will add 2qts instead of a large pan... call it a sleeper effect
and i've had that info from 3 very well know engine building shops (Butler, Hendrick, and Shafiroff)
road racing... that would be a different story
some will also say that can hurt by having to much in (lower splashing issues)
but a 1/2 over not a major concern
could always pull the filter to remove some
but again... not needed
just my thoughts
would i say something the next time at the shop, couldn't hurt
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Brownsburg IN
Just had my oil changed on my standard C6 at the local Chevy Dealership. I doubled checked the oil level when I got home and found the oil level on the dip stick read above the top line on the dip stick, probably about a 1/4 of a inch. I believe that they put in 6 qts. instead of the 5.5 qts. that is recommended. Should I go back and have them remove the extra or will this not hurt anything. I thought about getting ramps and start changing it myself and now I think I will from now on. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
[Except Z06 and ZR1: Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the competitive driving,
remove excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
Page 5-20
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except ZO6 and ZR1)
Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
Just had my oil changed on my standard C6 at the local Chevy Dealership. I doubled checked the oil level when I got home and found the oil level on the dip stick read above the top line on the dip stick, probably about a 1/4 of a inch. I believe that they put in 6 qts. instead of the 5.5 qts. that is recommended. Should I go back and have them remove the extra or will this not hurt anything. I thought about getting ramps and start changing it myself and now I think I will from now on. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Placitas New Mexico
Page 4-14 of the owners manual:
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
[Except Z06 and ZR1: Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the competitive driving,
remove excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
Page 5-20
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except ZO6 and ZR1)
Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
[Except Z06 and ZR1: Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the competitive driving,
remove excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
Page 5-20
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except ZO6 and ZR1)
Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The tech at our local dealer says it's too easy to mistakenly underfill some of the C6s, so he just puts 6 qts in all the dry sump engines.
Mine is supposed to take 5.5, but it really takes about 5.75 to get to the full mark. So I'm overfilled by about .25 qt, that's fine with me. Anything up to .5 qt over shouldn't be a problem.
Mine is supposed to take 5.5, but it really takes about 5.75 to get to the full mark. So I'm overfilled by about .25 qt, that's fine with me. Anything up to .5 qt over shouldn't be a problem.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Brownsburg IN
Its not really a contradiction, its very clear for normal driving they don't want it overfilled.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
During hard driving the engine is at high RPM spinning the oil pump very fast. The engine oil gets pumped to the top of the engine quicker than it can drain back down. Under these conditions the crankcase level can become low and an additional quart of oil will alleviate this issue.
Under normal driving the extra oil level gets aerated from the spinning crankshaft and aerated oil doesn't lubricate as well and that can lead to engine damage!
Douglas in Green Bay
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Placitas New Mexico
Hello,
During hard driving the engine is at high RPM spinning the oil pump very fast. The engine oil gets pumped to the top of the engine quicker than it can drain back down. Under these conditions the crankcase level can become low and an additional quart of oil will alleviate this issue.
Under normal driving the extra oil level gets aerated from the spinning crankshaft and aerated oil doesn't lubricate as well and that can lead to engine damage!
Douglas in Green Bay
During hard driving the engine is at high RPM spinning the oil pump very fast. The engine oil gets pumped to the top of the engine quicker than it can drain back down. Under these conditions the crankcase level can become low and an additional quart of oil will alleviate this issue.
Under normal driving the extra oil level gets aerated from the spinning crankshaft and aerated oil doesn't lubricate as well and that can lead to engine damage!
Douglas in Green Bay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 2
Cruising down the street, low rpm, all that oil is just sitting in the pan. The danger is extreme aeration of the oil as it is closer to the wind-age of the crank and such, or in an extreme situation, make contact with the crank. If the oil is aerated to much and froths it does not provide the same lubrication = far increased wear.
I hope this helps people understand the seemingly contradiction.
Hello,
During hard driving the engine is at high RPM spinning the oil pump very fast. The engine oil gets pumped to the top of the engine quicker than it can drain back down. Under these conditions the crankcase level can become low and an additional quart of oil will alleviate this issue.
Under normal driving the extra oil level gets aerated from the spinning crankshaft and aerated oil doesn't lubricate as well and that can lead to engine damage!
Douglas in Green Bay
During hard driving the engine is at high RPM spinning the oil pump very fast. The engine oil gets pumped to the top of the engine quicker than it can drain back down. Under these conditions the crankcase level can become low and an additional quart of oil will alleviate this issue.
Under normal driving the extra oil level gets aerated from the spinning crankshaft and aerated oil doesn't lubricate as well and that can lead to engine damage!
Douglas in Green Bay
thats what I get for stopping one post above yours.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,782
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If you notice the only paragraph that mentions severe engine damage is the one for the dry sump engines. Nothing is mentioned for the wet sump engines. I always added the extra half quart when filling my C5 engines and in 12 years it never hurt anything. With the C6Z and the dry sump I add to the top line after checking the oil when it was warm and the car had sat for 5 minutes. Going over that line can increase pressure and cause severe leaks that is what is meant by engine damage.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
It's also to make up for windage. During high RPM driving over a quart of oil can be suspended around the crankshaft as oil mist (windage).
