Engine Oil Level
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Engine Oil Level
I have a question hopefully someone here can answer:
I have been taking my SSEi routinely for the past 6 years (and 85k miles) to the local GM dealer to change the oil. About half of the time, they add 5 qts, whereas the service manual says 4.5 qts capacity with oil filter. As a result, the oil on the dipstick reads about 1/2" to 3/4" above the hash marks. Will this oil level damage the engine? The dealer ought to know what they are doing (unless they are trying to purposely damage my engine, which I doubt). The car has lasted this long with no problems so far, doesn't burn oil, etc. .... Is there an absolute maximum level where engine damage might occur or is there still a margin of safety ? (I must not be there yet - not that I'm trying !)
Comments please !
Thanks.
Carter
I have been taking my SSEi routinely for the past 6 years (and 85k miles) to the local GM dealer to change the oil. About half of the time, they add 5 qts, whereas the service manual says 4.5 qts capacity with oil filter. As a result, the oil on the dipstick reads about 1/2" to 3/4" above the hash marks. Will this oil level damage the engine? The dealer ought to know what they are doing (unless they are trying to purposely damage my engine, which I doubt). The car has lasted this long with no problems so far, doesn't burn oil, etc. .... Is there an absolute maximum level where engine damage might occur or is there still a margin of safety ? (I must not be there yet - not that I'm trying !)
Comments please !
Thanks.
Carter
#2
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The extra half quart shouldn't cause any real problems. I wouldn't want to go much more than that. I use 5 quarts in mine, but I also use the larger oil filter (for the 4.3L used in the SUVs like the Jimmy or Blazer.)
#3
Not even the dealers always do the best job. Changing your own oil is really a great way to ensure the job is done correctly.
The extra half quart probably won't do very much damage, but if you don't know, the reasoning behind this, or most of it, would be that if its any more full, the crankshaft would be sitting in the oil and churning it, that foams it, and foamy oil does NOT lubricate. It also causes drag on the crank which leads to decreased mileage and increased engine load.
The extra half quart probably won't do very much damage, but if you don't know, the reasoning behind this, or most of it, would be that if its any more full, the crankshaft would be sitting in the oil and churning it, that foams it, and foamy oil does NOT lubricate. It also causes drag on the crank which leads to decreased mileage and increased engine load.
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Re: Engine Oil Level
Originally Posted by carterb
Comments please !
So far no problems at all.
The level on the dipstick reads right at the last 'L' in 'FULL'
ADD | . . . . . | FULL
#5
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The extra 1/2 quart shouldn't be an issue and 99% of the time there isn't a full 4.5 in the oil pan because when the engine is running..oil is continually being pumped out and seeping back in.
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Re: Engine Oil Level
Originally Posted by MACDRIVE
Originally Posted by carterb
Comments please !
So far no problems at all.
The level on the dipstick reads right at the last 'L' in 'FULL'
ADD | . . . . . | FULL
Anyone that follows Macdrive'* advice to use 6 quarts is asking for serious problems. Overfilling your oil is as bad as underfilling. Macdrive, I thought we made this clear in the past? You must be willing to take on liability for anyone that overfills based on your post, right?
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Macdrive.... we aren't going through this with you again..
Its safe to be a Tad over the Full Mark, say 1/4" or so..
For the 3800 series II Guys here on this forum... You only need what is required... Go no further than 5 qts ever.... None of you have an oil cooler from the factory that would require more oil either..
and I do agree, too much oil is and can be just as bad as not enough oil
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Its safe to be a Tad over the Full Mark, say 1/4" or so..
For the 3800 series II Guys here on this forum... You only need what is required... Go no further than 5 qts ever.... None of you have an oil cooler from the factory that would require more oil either..
and I do agree, too much oil is and can be just as bad as not enough oil
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Re: Engine Oil Level
Originally Posted by willwren
Anyone that follows Macdrive'* advice to use 6 quarts is asking for serious problems.
Let me make this perfectly clear to you: I am not advising anyone to fill up their crankcase up with 6 quarts of oil; I am simply stating that with my Buick, there has not been any problems. The OP asked for comments. My post was a comment only; it was not intended to be advice in anyway-shape-or-form.
willwren - perhaps I should PM you with my phone number so I can explain this to you on the phone with clear cut concise words.
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As you remember, we've had discussions in the past about this. You were given specific instructions to knock off that horribly dangerous advice. And as you can see, you just got jumped on by TWO Admins because of your past actions, including this particular issue.
I don't care how many quarts you run in your car. It will bite you in the *** more sooner than later. And I will take it PERSONALLY if anyone on this forum follows your lead and does the same idiotic thing. Do what you want to YOUR car, but keep your mouth shut about 6 quart fills like you were told to previously.
You may not be here long. I'll be discussing this with jr's3800. You were specifically warned about this before.
You get the public treatment AGAIN at your own request. You violated specific instructions and refuse to listen to authority on this Forum.
Our goal is to provide the best possible SERVICE that we can to the members of this forum. Your post violates that in the most severe manner (and it has in the past, and you were specifically told about it).
I don't care how many quarts you run in your car. It will bite you in the *** more sooner than later. And I will take it PERSONALLY if anyone on this forum follows your lead and does the same idiotic thing. Do what you want to YOUR car, but keep your mouth shut about 6 quart fills like you were told to previously.
You may not be here long. I'll be discussing this with jr's3800. You were specifically warned about this before.
You get the public treatment AGAIN at your own request. You violated specific instructions and refuse to listen to authority on this Forum.
Our goal is to provide the best possible SERVICE that we can to the members of this forum. Your post violates that in the most severe manner (and it has in the past, and you were specifically told about it).
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Re: Engine Oil Level
Originally Posted by MACDRIVE
Originally Posted by willwren
Anyone that follows Macdrive'* advice to use 6 quarts is asking for serious problems.
Let me make this perfectly clear to you: I am not advising anyone to fill up their crankcase up with 6 quarts of oil; I am simply stating that with my Buick, there has not been any problems. The OP asked for comments. My post was a comment only; it was not intended to be advice in anyway-shape-or-form.
willwren - perhaps I should PM you with my phone number so I can explain this to you on the phone with clear cut concise words.
say a new member read that and then used 6 quarts and had problems with the 6 quarts...
and just because you aren't having any problems doesn't mean they another will not have the issues.. I will not recommend any more than 5 quarts in any 3800 V6... Most of the newer 3800 actually use 4.5 Quarts...
Every time you post we have to follow you and make sure we set things straight...
and how is anyone supposed to know what you mean?
... Oh yeah I'm running 6 quarts Eh.... Its all good.....
If I were running 6 quarts I sure as H*** would not recommend it to any of the members on any forum...
Its like saying its ok to put a 3.0 pulley on an M90 with no mods other than the pulley, then they have KR like mad... But oh wait that would be ok too.... Yeah you won't ping an engine to death... Then the motor goes boom...
I give up..
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