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Too much oil after service!

My 2001 Sebring convertible recently had a simple oil change service. I checked the oil level one morning and was surprised to see that it was 1/4 to 3/8 inch above the MAX line.

I contacted the dealer. Either it was overfilled (seems a bit stupid) or the draining wasn't completed before it was refilled (seems a bit stupid too!). The oil still looks very clean so he deduced that it was just too much put in. He said it's only half a litre (about a pint).

I am sure that putting too much in can be bad for the engine, but the service manager said that such a relatively small amount was OK.

Any comments?

Reply to
rickety
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A pint over should be fine. Its not a problem unless its so full that the crankshaft is dipping into the oil while the engine's running and whipping it into foam.

Reply to
Steve

Pretty common today. They put in a certain quantity rather than checking it with the dipstick during the refill. Saves them maybe 2 minutes off the time spent on that one work order. And as we all know (as reminded by Gary Larsen), Einstein proved that Time = Money.

The two issues with *gross* overfilling are crankcase gaskets getting blown, and oil-fouling of the piston rings, but the SM is probably right

- that amount over isn't going to be a big deal (although it still doesn't excuse it). Another reason to work on your own car whenever possible.

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

Reply to
Bill Putney

Oops - yes - that is the third potential problem from gross overfilling.

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

Reply to
Bill Putney

I've always read that the danger was aeration of the oil and subsequent lost of oil pressure. I think it would take gross overfilling (like

3-4X overfill) to cause the problems you list above. A quart or less overfill can cause aeration on some engines.

Matt

Reply to
Matt Whiting

You are probably correct.

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

Reply to
Bill Putney

Hiya all.

Thought that the main problem with over filling was "windage" i.e. the oil wraps itself around the crank like rope and saps loads of power. (Well, that and the waste of money in oil you don't need!) That's why the rally boys have windage trays in the sump. I know it's a bit more extreme that the trip to the supermarket but you get the idea. But then dry sumps cure that. I'll go away and be quiet now, sorry, old age, memories and alcohol you know.

pottsy

Reply to
pottsy

A pint over shouldn't be a big deal. For once a Chrysler service manager is telling you the truth.

If it was a quart or two, that is another story.

Reply to
Jason

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