Overfilling Oil

[Edwardo]

Hey guys,

I had my car serviced about a month ago (which included an oil change). This morning I went to check the oil level to make sure everything was ok when I noticed that the oil line ended slightly less than a quarter of an inch above the upper dot.

I am concerned now because I just read the Overfill Warning in the FAQ. The faq says,
"Do not over-fill with oil. It can foam at high RPM and cause engine damage. Also, overfilling a non-drysump engine like the NSX's puts the main seals at risk."

I am worried now

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Sounds like the tech put 6 Qts in. You should get some out. Either suck it out using some vacuum source with a small tube down the dipstick, or have THEM drain it and refill it.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Edwardo]

Thanks for the response Larry.

I will call the dealer and tell them that Larry. Should I be worried about any long term damage because of this? I have not revved the engine very high.

Thanks

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I certainly would not loose sleep over it, but I would just get it right as soon as it is convenient.

Regards,
LarryB

 

[nsxtasy]

LarryB,

That's overfilled by less than half a quart. Are you sure that's enough to even worry about?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Hi Ken,

I was thinking it should be 5.3 and got 6. I was going from memory about the distance between the two holes in the dipstick and was thinking it was 1/2 qt. or so over.

Again, I would not loose sleep over it, but they should make it right.

LarryB

 

[Edwardo]

Thanks a lot for your help guys.

I guess I am a bit confused now though hehe.

I have two great minds in here helping me out.

It looks like there is no real danger to my engine, but the Acura dealer should change it because they should have made sure the level was correct?

 

[ncdogdoc]

It looks like there is no real danger to my engine, but the Acura dealer should change it because they should have made sure the level was correct?

Yes, I believe that is what Larry is trying to say. That small amount of extra oil is not going to cause problems right now, but should be taken care of by the dealer who did not do it right in the first place. Should not take them more than 15 minutes to drain a quart out and top it off to the correct level.

 

[Gerry Johnson]

If you checked it before starting it, this would give you a higher level than if you had started it first and than checked it.

 

[Edwardo]

Re: Re: Overfilling Oil

If you checked it before starting it, this would give you a higher level than if you had started it first and than checked it.

I checked it before I started it. Car was completely cold. However, would it lower a quarter of an inch after it was started?

Is the safe level supposed to be between the two dots?
If not, where is the ideal oil line supposed to reside?

I am really paranoid about the oil level. The faq is SCARING ME!

I really appreciate all of the help you guys have given me.

 

[ncdogdoc]

Gerry makes a good point. It will probably not drop a lot, but since I am not as good with dipsticks as Larry, I do not know what a little amounts to in distance on the stick.

Yes, the hashed area between the dots is the "OK" range.

I hate to admit this, but I ran a two day track event at VIR with my dipstick showing too much oil in the pan, and no ill effects that I have noticed in the 14 months since.

 

[nsxexotic]

I remember reading in my BMW 328 Manual that its ideal to keep the oil level right under the max point.

basicly as close to the max point as possible without overfilling - check the oil on level ground and when the car hasn't be run for a few hours.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Just going back to basics, the oil level should be checked warn, engine stopped and oil allowed to drain back into the pan, a few minutes after turning it off.

I did make the assumption that this is the case.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Hrant]

Gerry makes a good point. It will probably not drop a lot, but since I am not as good with dipsticks as Larry, I do not know what a little amounts to in distance on the stick.

Yes, the hashed area between the dots is the "OK" range.

I hate to admit this, but I ran a two day track event at VIR with my dipstick showing too much oil in the pan, and no ill effects that I have noticed in the 14 months since.

I too have been "advised' to add a little more than the dipstick mark to make sure there is ample pick up while pulling g forces on the track. And this from reputable mechanics/racers. The excess is minimal but its a safety given that I don't have an accusump.

So I wouldn't worry too much. YMMV.

 

[nsxtasy]

Gerry makes a good point. It will probably not drop a lot, but since I am not as good with dipsticks as Larry, I do not know what a little amounts to in distance on the stick.

Yes, the hashed area between the dots is the "OK" range.

The distance from one dot to the other should represent a difference of one quart.

I ran a two day track event at VIR with my dipstick showing too much oil in the pan, and no ill effects that I have noticed in the 14 months since.

Rather a long time between oil changes, no?

 

[Inexcess]

More Overfill Report

I just got a 2000 NSX from a dealer (Acura Certified) and after reading posts about the oil level issues people have had I checked mine and it was overfilled. I sucked out 20oz. to get it back to the Upper mark on the dipstick.

I have a Honda Insight that only takes 2 qts of oil and I've heard stories of going to a dealer for an oil change and they put in 4 qts! Now that's an overfill.