How much too much is too much oil?

[cwbeas1]

(I'm sure this has had to have been discussed before, but I searched and didn't find it. So formive me in advance if it has already been beat to death before.)Changed oil and filter yesterday with a 5 qt jug of pennzoil high mileage 10w30. Let the oil drain for at least 30 minutes after removing the drain plug and fileter. I used the larger filter for the s10 and filled the filter before installing it. Thinking I had read that the capacity was something like 4.7 qts, I left about what I thought was about 1/2 to 3/4 qt in the jug. Started, let run til up to operating temp, let sit for 10-15 minutes for everything to drain down. checked oil and it was right about at the bottom of the cross hatched area, so I added what I guessed to be about 1/2 qt and left about 1/2 pint to pint in the jug. drove it just a wee bit, let sir overnight, started this morning let come up to op temp, turned off let sit 5-10, checked again, and it was about 3/4 the way up the cross hatched area, so I put in the rest, and I watched it couldn't have been more than a pint, and now it reads about 1/4-3/8 inch above the crosshatched area-about where the red line is on this photo. I thought it would be safe to put the rest in anyway since I had spilled a wee bit on the filter and the larger filter's capacity.

Is this too much? Seems like I recall it being about there the last time I took it to a retail oil change place, figured they put in a full 5 qts, although I didn't notice it right away. When I did notice it, I opened the drain plug and let a bit out.
I didn't see any bubble on the dipstick after letting it warm up after the last oil was added.

I really don't want to do that now since I just put in a new magnetic plug with a new gasket.

1) I know it has had a full 5 qts minus the small amount I spilled when filling the filter. Is this too much enough so to worry about and
2) Can you put a tube down the oil filler tube and siphon some out? If so, what diameter-since only a small amount need to come out, would 3/8" work?
(I know I have seen gadjets to suck oil out for changing it, but wonder if there is a certain size restriction down there somewhere.)
3) I haven't driven it since adding the last little bit. Is it safe to drive a couple of miles to get a hose?

TIA
Charles

[sturoc]

I have over filled slightly in the past , Nothing to worry about.
I do the same method put in most of it leaving a little bit and then check as I fill more.
If your over by your stated amount 1/4-3/8" it will either stay at the level or burn off over time. I wouldn't worry bout trying to suck it out.
That said If it was over half of quart or more removing some would be a good idea.

There are suction devices in the auto parts store of your choice Nice to have for all sorts of things in the world of fluids. Tube diameter wise anything that fits and won't get stuck.
If the stock hose is not long enough, Just match the pumps hose with a fitting
I would make the extension long enough to stick out the filler tube or dipstick tube -this way if the 'splice' comes apart you don't have a tube forever in your filler or dipstick tube

[cowboydan]

the crank case holds 4 liters, that's it, now you broke it. i'll buy it off you cheap. seriously though, you could safely put another 1/2 liter in. when i race my van, i run an extra liter. i had a friend when i was young call me for some help. when i got there i knew it was bad even before he started it. he said it was smoking too much. when i pulled the dipstick i discovered he had tried to change his oil.... big mistake, Big. when i pulled the add cap on the valve cover, i could easilly guage that the engine was infact full with the dip of an index finger. when i asked him how much oil he put in,??? he replied, the whole case. 12 liters???? i asked. he smiled and said yep, i filled it till i could see the oil at the top of the dipstick!! all i could do was shake my head as i drained 2 gal icecream pails full to the brim. well theres you problem i said. it's hard to wrench when you're laughing as hard as i did that day.

a helpful tip when doing an oil change yourself: when you add the oil and it drains into the sump, start it and count to 3 and turn it off. you only need to fill the filter and that happens instintaniously. then you can get an accurate measure quickly

[cowboydan]

other tip i would give for simple oil changing is to stop the oil filter from seizing to the filter housing as well ensuring that the filter doesn't loosen after a while: using your index finger, dip into the old oil just a drop would be enough, rub the new rubber seal with old oil and install. if you use new oil then, you will over tighten the filter and possably dammage to the filter/ housing. or it will spin off some time later while your driving. the filter needs to be only hand tight. i have had my share of screw drivers being jammed through the filters in order to remove. it ain't pretty and it ain't fun when your covered in oil, especially when your buddy is paying with a pack of smokes or 2 for the job.

[cwbeas1]

Thanks everybody for assurances.
I found about a 6 ft piece of 5/15 OD clean new tubing and was barely able to get it in through the dipstick tube and can get about 4 oz out with 8 fills of the tube, so I'm going to leave the rest of it in there until/when/if I get a longer piece. No fun and too little progress per fill. No one local has a cheapie pump with small enough tubing.

dan thanks for the extra tips. I did fill the filter up first and smeared some new oil on it and hand tightened. Don't think it's way too tight, but will check it again soon for looseness. I changed fuel filter at same time so am watching underneath any way, but will crawl under and check oil filter after a few more miles.

[cowboydan]

your welcome. i used to swear by filling the oil filter. then a friend came to me to change his oil. would you look at that i thought to myself, the filter is on its side?! how am i supposed to fill the filter?! OMG i can't even turn my friends key cause i can't let air get into the system. and i already drained the oil?!?!?!? yup i even gave myself panic attack over the whole thing. i found out the hard way that day, even being quick with the filter makes a big mess. filling the filter these days should be dry.... cause you never know where the filter is till you have the misfortune of having to locate one. they really put them anywhere they like and i'm sure the engeneer gets a laugh every time a complaint rolls in. i had a cavalier once, the location of the filter was right over the exaust flex pipe. that one still cracks me up cause you can't wipe a flex pipe, so you know shes' a gonna smoke and stink for the rest of the day. did you know that the toyota previa is awd and the driver litterally sits on a supercharged 4banger, yet they don't call it an over-cab. would you belive that the serpintine belt and all accesories right under the hood, being driven by a shaft? bet you didn't... i didn't. ever have to ask a friend that looks to you as THE GURU of anything automotive... dude where's your engine?? i know they put things in odd places, but DAMN, i drove 2hrs in minus 30c, on a rescue mission with a van that built no heat, to ask my nonmechanically inclined friend that!!!!!!!!!!!!! i came down with a wierd flu that day i swear

[chevymaher]

How much is to much oil.

Here is an example.

Guy I know of read the dipstick and it said add 1.

His friend came home later as he was adding the oil.

There was a wide trail of liquid running down the drive under the car.

Seems he mistakes 1 quart, to be one case of oil.

Believe it or not this is a true story.

That is to much oil.

The names will not be revealed because I promised the guy I would never tell on him for doing it.

I just wonder if he is related to the guy I seen put the fuel pump nozzle next to the filler tube and put it on full tilt locked, and sit in the car waiting for it to fill. Back in the days when gas caps were under licence plates.

[cowboydan]

you got me Randy, it was ME. olds cutlass 1985 licence plate filler. except i didn't miss. my coat caught pretty much all of it. i hit the lock mechanism on the pump, and right as soon as i let the handle go, sploooosh! the licence plate had a real good lift spring she lifted up the pump and she popped out of the filler and hit the floor..... in the locked position. that's what i call a bad day for a smoker!!!!!!!!!!.... lol bet you didn't think it was me eh. needless to say, i don't go out of my way to pump my own gas

[thegreenmachine]

I did that in my caprice. Only lost a couple liters and had to go home and shower and change.!!

[thegreenmachine]

........ But to get back to the topic, when I was 17 I put 2L of oil in my 89 crown Vic. I drove 70km to my lady friends prom and it was running real bad, like I dropped a couple cylinders bad and smoking. Probably had 6-7L in it.

I turned around went to the shop I worked at and they fixed said,l fouled 3 out of 8 plugs and was lucky. I think it's called "going hydrolic"

My sister did the same thing on aforementioned caprice and killed it. Did a dye test and it was leaking from everywhere lol.

[cowboydan]

it just goes to show, anyone can have a brain fart