Hey guys, I am new to the diesel world, and just did my first oil change. Oil capacity is 15 quarts in the 7.3, so after draining that's what I added without checking it at 13 or so. Anyway, after starting it up and letting it sit for a bit the oil is about 1/4 inch above the cross hatched area on the dipstick. Should I drain some out or just let it burn off? After checking the amount of oil I drained I only have about 13ish quarts. I know the oil was about in the middle of the cross hatched area before I changed it. Just wanted to see if these motors are sensitive enough to a little extra oil to make it worth the mess of draining a bit out of the pan. Let me know. Also, where is the extra oil? if there another spot I can drain to get everything out?

Thank you!

 

I think you will be just fine with that amount in your crankcase.

The extra oil you asked about would be the capacity of the oil filter as well as the little bit that remains in the HPOP. No need to drain the HPOP it will get circulated just after startup.

 

Moved to the 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel forum.

 

But the level it's at is after I started it and let it settle for a bit. Still ok you think?

 

Personally I would say you will be fine, if you wanted to make it perfect just drain some out though?

 

I'm good with it, personally. Just a new to me truck and don't want to eff something up so simple. But if it's not exact science i'm leaving it the way it is...it'll burn off. Thank you

 

A good way to tell if its overfilled is to pull the dipstick right after you shut the engine off. If you see bubbles/a foamy head then the oil level is too high. The oil is getting whipped into foam from being in contact w the crank. The 7.3 has a good amount if clearance @ full oil level so a couple of qts over isn't a big deal.

 

I know of a few fellas that just dump 4gal in at every oil change & never have a problem, I think you will be fine.

 

Something to keep in mind when you do an oil change... You can get a full qt into the oil filter. Before putting the new filter on, fill it with oil. you will have to add some...wait as it fills in the filter material and add more...you will see the level dropping slowly. Once you get about a quart in there...(It will hold more), then put in the filter and fill the block.

Its a good thing too to prime the filter like this anyway.

 

Run it for 500 miles and you will be a qt low.

Guess what happens when you run it 8qts low

It don't run no more........

until you put a qt or two in it


The injectors run on oil pressure to stay open. If the oil pressure falls to far it will shut the engine down. This has by accident turned into a save the engine event.

You will always burn a little oil off between oil changes. So 'why' would it 'burn' 8qts so fast..... this will show that you may have an injector cup leaking oil into the cylinder and it is burning it and going out the tail pipe. Which if this happens quickly.... engine is a goner....but for the fact it 'shuts itself off'....