Oil overfill

dadatwork · 09-19-2007, 11:19 AM

What damamge could be done if the oil is say 1/2 quart too full? Took my 2007 s2000 to the dealer when the 15% oil minder reminder came up - @ about 5,500 miles. They changed the filter and overfilled it with synthetic (synthetic at my request). The mechanic put in 6 quarts. I told him it takes 5.1 - he argued, I said "go fix it". He drained "some out" - wouldn't commit beyond that. I would have appreciated him taking 14.4 ounces out but that didn't happen so I don't know how much oil is in the engine but it's above "H" on the dipstick - I assume about 1/2 quart too much. It goes back to the dealer today and they will do a total redo - filter and 5.1 quarts of synthetic. But what happens when the engine has about 10% too much oil? It burned apparently none in the first 5,550 miles - I checked it regularly.

dad

Java Junky · 09-19-2007, 11:41 AM

It's good that you're makin' 'em correct their mistake. If they had any sort'a pride in their work n' reputation 1) it never would'a come oud'a the bay that way n' 2) once discovered by the service manager (who's supposed to check the obvious on jobs done) it should'a been sent right back to be corrected.
But better late than never I guess. I'm tempted to ask which dealer. (Yeah, yeah I know. It's probably politically incorrect to expect someone to sign their name to their work n' take responsibility for it.)
Dependin' on the engine layout, too much oil could result in the spinny parts'a the crank beatin' the oil into a near-useless froth that don't do the parts needin' oil a helluva lodda good.
But, the amount that you're suggestin' shouldn't be a problem. Thing of it is, if 6 quarts was what Stewie took, the stick wouldn't be readin' overfull, would it?
After what you paid for Stewie dad, it takes a really big pair'a cujones for the dealer to be so cavalier about riskin' your hard-earned with shoddy wrenchin'.
If you jus' quietly accept, there's a good chance that that "mechanic" will be allowed to continue without correction.
You'll probably get him again next time through.
Be well.
Java

jagg · 09-19-2007, 12:39 PM

hi dad,
you should escape this dilemma unscathed, but i'd be po'd for what that oil change cost. try to ensure that they provide you with a receipt for the second oil change, with the reason for it documented on the repair order. otherwise , this event will never have existed even a short time down the road. just in case you wind up with some type of oil starvation problem in the near future. it's not likely in this case to be a problem, but it pays to cover your bases.
best of luck, jagg

dadatwork · 09-19-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java Junky

It's good that you're makin' 'em correct their mistake. If they had any sort'a pride in their work n' reputation 1) it never would'a come oud'a the bay that way n' 2) once discovered by the service manager (who's supposed to check the obvious on jobs done) it should'a been sent right back to be corrected.
But better late than never I guess. I'm tempted to ask which dealer. (Yeah, yeah I know. It's probably politically incorrect to expect someone to sign their name to their work n' take responsibility for it.)
Dependin' on the engine layout, too much oil could result in the spinny parts'a the crank beatin' the oil into a near-useless froth that don't do the parts needin' oil a helluva lodda good.
But, the amount that you're suggestin' shouldn't be a problem. Thing of it is, if 6 quarts was what Stewie took, the stick wouldn't be readin' overfull, would it?
After what you paid for Stewie dad, it takes a really big pair'a cujones for the dealer to be so cavalier about riskin' your hard-earned with shoddy wrenchin'.
If you jus' quietly accept, there's a good chance that that "mechanic" will be allowed to continue without correction.
You'll probably get him again next time through.
Be well.
Java

dadatwork · 09-19-2007, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the inputs on the effects of too much oil. I had the dealer redo the oil change - though it makes me a bit wary of having to have the dealer's mechanics do anything more difficult than an oil change . . . and there aren't a lot of normal engine maintenance tasks less difficult than an oil change . . . can hardly wait to have to change out a timing belt or other . . .

dad

Java Junky · 09-19-2007, 03:38 PM

On the topic: 'believe Griot's Garage n' such carry this neat hand-held siphon with a long, thin hose, that you can put the hose right down the dipstick tube n' into the pan (While the engine's off guys). On the extremely rare occasion when the stick's tellin' you "Yo! Dummy!" it beats hell oud'a poppin' the plug to bring it to proper oil level.
Now, of course, it was never me that overfilled an engine. I've just heard aboudditt. I've also heard that those siphons work on most engines, not all. Some r' jus too tightly r' complexly laid out for the hose to get down to where it can access the oil.
So I've been told.
Be well.
Java

MattG · 09-23-2007, 07:56 PM

Yeah I think you did the right thing. If it were my car, I'd much rather have the whole lot drained and filled to the correct level, compared to guessing how much to take out.

Many S2000 owners do not like going to the dealers for an oil change because of problems that can happen such as this and others, if they can do it themselves.

One problem some S owners have is that the jack they have in the garage does not fit under the car. Some slimline jacks can be found, others drive their cars up onto some woodplanks that are just high enough to get the jack and jackstands under the car.

Other owners by-pass the dealers and find a local garage who has experience with the S. I'm lucky as my local garage knows the S inside out, although I do change the oil between services myself.

09-19-2007, 11:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
dadatwork Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4	Oil overfill What damamge could be done if the oil is say 1/2 quart too full? Took my 2007 s2000 to the dealer when the 15% oil minder reminder came up - @ about 5,500 miles. They changed the filter and overfilled it with synthetic (synthetic at my request). The mechanic put in 6 quarts. I told him it takes 5.1 - he argued, I said "go fix it". He drained "some out" - wouldn't commit beyond that. I would have appreciated him taking 14.4 ounces out but that didn't happen so I don't know how much oil is in the engine but it's above "H" on the dipstick - I assume about 1/2 quart too much. It goes back to the dealer today and they will do a total redo - filter and 5.1 quarts of synthetic. But what happens when the engine has about 10% too much oil? It burned apparently none in the first 5,550 miles - I checked it regularly. dad

09-19-2007, 11:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	It's good that you're makin' 'em correct their mistake. If they had any sort'a pride in their work n' reputation 1) it never would'a come oud'a the bay that way n' 2) once discovered by the service manager (who's supposed to check the obvious on jobs done) it should'a been sent right back to be corrected. But better late than never I guess. I'm tempted to ask which dealer. (Yeah, yeah I know. It's probably politically incorrect to expect someone to sign their name to their work n' take responsibility for it.) Dependin' on the engine layout, too much oil could result in the spinny parts'a the crank beatin' the oil into a near-useless froth that don't do the parts needin' oil a helluva lodda good. But, the amount that you're suggestin' *shouldn't* be a problem. Thing of it is, if 6 quarts was what Stewie took, the stick wouldn't be readin' overfull, would it? After what you paid for Stewie dad, it takes a really big pair'a cujones for the dealer to be so cavalier about riskin' your hard-earned with shoddy wrenchin'. If you jus' quietly accept, there's a good chance that that "mechanic" will be allowed to continue without correction. You'll probably get him again next time through. Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

09-19-2007, 02:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
dadatwork Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4	Oil overfill Thanks for the inputs on the effects of too much oil. I had the dealer redo the oil change - though it makes me a bit wary of having to have the dealer's mechanics do anything more difficult than an oil change . . . and there aren't a lot of normal engine maintenance tasks less difficult than an oil change . . . can hardly wait to have to change out a timing belt or other . . . dad

09-19-2007, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	On the topic: 'believe Griot's Garage n' such carry this neat hand-held siphon with a long, thin hose, that you can put the hose right down the dipstick tube n' into the pan (While the engine's off guys). On the extremely rare occasion when the stick's tellin' you "Yo! Dummy!" it beats hell oud'a poppin' the plug to bring it to proper oil level. Now, of course, it was never me that overfilled an engine. I've just *heard* aboudditt. I've also heard that those siphons work on most engines, not all. Some r' jus too tightly r' complexly laid out for the hose to get down to where it can access the oil. So I've been told. Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

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09-19-2007, 12:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
jagg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Endless Mountains Posts: 2,520	hi dad, you should escape this dilemma unscathed, but i'd be po'd for what that oil change cost. try to ensure that they provide you with a receipt for the second oil change, with the reason for it documented on the repair order. otherwise , this event will never have existed even a short time down the road. just in case you wind up with some type of oil starvation problem in the near future. it's not likely in this case to be a problem, but it pays to cover your bases. best of luck, jagg

09-23-2007, 07:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
MattG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 361	Yeah I think you did the right thing. If it were my car, I'd much rather have the whole lot drained and filled to the correct level, compared to guessing how much to take out. Many S2000 owners do not like going to the dealers for an oil change because of problems that can happen such as this and others, if they can do it themselves. One problem some S owners have is that the jack they have in the garage does not fit under the car. Some slimline jacks can be found, others drive their cars up onto some woodplanks that are just high enough to get the jack and jackstands under the car. Other owners by-pass the dealers and find a local garage who has experience with the S. I'm lucky as my local garage knows the S inside out, although I do change the oil between services myself.