Dealer overfilled oil by 3/4 Inch, problems?

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:06 am

I just found out that at the last dealer service they overfilled my engine oil level in my CRD to 3/4 Inch above the max level of the dipstick.

I have checked the engine oil before, several times actually since the last service but I only checked if the part of the 'safe' area was wet and it was, today I had a better look and found that the oil actually went up much, much further.

I drove around 6500 Miles since they overfilled it and I made some serious long trips, what damage could I expect?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:16 am

is there any foam?? -

the biggest single issue with overfilling the oil is that the crankshaft will hit the oil surface as it swings - if that happens the oil will foam up and you'll be pumping oil bubbles through the lubrication system - and air doesn't lubricate so it damages the bearings.

If it's not foaming you're probably okay - at least I don't know of any other problems it will cause.

wildrussian · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:22 am

How often do you change your oil? every 6500 miles?

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:43 am

Thanks for the reply guys!

Until now I have seen no foam but I also don't know where to look for foam, the dipstick at least does not show foam and the fillercap is clean.

I had the oil changed every 12300 Miles (20.000 Km) according to the scedual in the manual and it still runs like new after 64.000 Miles.
.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:15 pm

supposed be every 3 to 5000 miles just so you know. Especially with desiels, they burn oil faster then gasers do

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:23 pm

Dutchy is correct, CRD's must use synthetic oil and the interval is ~6000 for severe service (towing and offroad) and ~12000 miles otherwise.

wildrussian · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:36 pm

Didn't know change schedule was different on diesel engines, learn something new everyday!

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:49 pm

Yes - foam would show on the dipstick - immediately after turning off the engine - Oil level will be low - because some oil is in the top of the engine - still draining back to the crackcase.

if it sits for a while the bubbles float to the top and go away.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:46 pm

Ah, no foam for me than pffff (relief)

Just in case I will let some oil out this weekend, am I right to assume the easy way to do this is by taking out the drain plug for a couple of seconds?

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:20 pm

Going to be messy, make sure the CRD is stone cold when you do it or you might get burned.

Consider going back to the dealer and have them remove the excess, they are the ones that put too much in. Some service facilities have a suction pump to pull some out through the dipstick. Mercedes service is done that way I believe.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:36 pm

Depending on how cold the warm the oil is, about 4 seconds of hot oil drain should get you back to the correct fluid level.

It's not messy if you have quick hands. Plugs got to be completely removed to prevent a huge mess. (have some cat litter handy just in case though)

Dutchy · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:18 am

Yep, I was expecting it to be messy, good that a friend of mine has a greasy grease pit.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:19 am

Update:

I just drained the engine a bit, my friend holding a bucket and me un-screwing the drainplug very carefully.
we got out about one litre and used that to refill the engine to the right level, we where left with about 1/2 Litre when we where done.

We had a look at the quality of the oil and even after 6400 Miles it still looked and felt fresh.

Dealer overfilled oil by 3/4 Inch, problems?

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