Too much oil??
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Too much oil??
Over the years, I've seen members post about their shop, etc. over filling their engines at a oil change. Overages range from 1/2qt to multiple qts. Some real paranoia with as little as 1/2 qt.
What do you think it would take to actually cause damage?
Here's a interesting video.
What do you think it would take to actually cause damage?
Here's a interesting video.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 202
Tell that to the owners of dry sump C6/C7 Corvettes that lost engines because the shop only removed one drain plug instead of two and overfilled the engine hydro locking it.
I also don’t understand the Escalade scenario he gave, makes no sense to me that anyone could do that mistakenly.
I also don’t understand the Escalade scenario he gave, makes no sense to me that anyone could do that mistakenly.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 601
Likes: 40
That video was useless to me. I have overfilled some motors by several quarts and it was no concern because the oil change took ten gallons. You question may want to be a little more specific to get a better response. Corvette drivers that track their cars on a road course or autocross usually add an extra quart. At high RPM's, the oil pump is pumping a high volume of oil and a little extra oil can accumulate in the top of the motor because it hasn't drained back to the pan quickly enough. As an example, we had breathers on the left valve cover on circle track motors because the right valve cover could fill with oil in the corners. Damage occurs when the oil level is well above the crankshaft throws long enough to get aerated. Aerated oil cannot cool and form the thin barrier of protection that is required to make an engine last.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I think the point is that there is a safe range of oil level.
I've seen people here question how bad it is if they're 1/2 qt high or low after a change.
Of course, recommended levels are best, but, like everything, there are limits and ranges.
PS. I've searched for info about hydro locked engines caused by too much oil added. There doesn't seem to be much info out there. Big ugly messes, leaks, etc. are well documented, but......
I've seen people here question how bad it is if they're 1/2 qt high or low after a change.
Of course, recommended levels are best, but, like everything, there are limits and ranges.
PS. I've searched for info about hydro locked engines caused by too much oil added. There doesn't seem to be much info out there. Big ugly messes, leaks, etc. are well documented, but......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 686
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
My oil level is maybe a half inch above max after 5 minutes and exactly at the full line after 20 mins (dry sump). The intake track is dry. I've just left it alone, did the oil change back in April with a friend. We filled it to the max, it took nearly 12 quarts as usual, both drain plugs and both oil lines. I guess it's heat expansion.
The one time my dealer did my oil change it was a lot higher, but it only took 1.5 quarts to get it down to the minimum line, so at most it was 3/4 quart over. Still a dry intake track. That's the first sign of bad news, if you intake has oil residue.
The one time my dealer did my oil change it was a lot higher, but it only took 1.5 quarts to get it down to the minimum line, so at most it was 3/4 quart over. Still a dry intake track. That's the first sign of bad news, if you intake has oil residue.
