Oil Overfill
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Oil Overfill
I just had my oil changed in my '94 Explorer at my local shop and, as I have found before, the dipstick is showing too much oil. This happens every time, and, if I were to estimate the overage, I would guess 1/2 a quart over. I have never had any problems in the past, but now that I read some things, I am concerned. I will be taking the car on the road in a coupl eof weeks and I am wondering what symptoms I will see, if any, of performance problems. Will the oil pressure increase or decrease if foaming occurs? Will there be any other signs? It's times like this that I hate that the complex I live in does not allow on-site repairs. Thanks in advance for any advise.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
I had this problem all the time with my '92 explorer. They probably figured, as I did, that 5 quarts meant 5.5 or 6 quarts. For the longest time, I said, "Naa, it'll take 5.5 to make it go the top of the full range." Then I found it overfull, as you did. They were probably trying to do a good job, but didn't check. These explorers take EXACTLY 5.0 quarts, period. No more, no less. I did run mine like that for a long time, probably 20k miles, with no adverse effects. The factory gives you about an inch above the full mark before crank starts whipping the oil, so you're ok.
Have you got another place you could take it to change it, like a friends house perhapse?
Have you got another place you could take it to change it, like a friends house perhapse?
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Thanks
Thanks for your answer, Rusty. I figured that it would be ok, but, with all the repairs I had to put into my explorer this past year or so, I didn't want to add a blown seal on top of it all. Unfortunately, I don't have a place to do my own work, having just moved to this town in the past year and only having time to work. I may just risk making the complex management a little mad and drain half a quart from the pan after work tonight anyway. Thanks again.
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No need to drain that half a quart of oil. If you start seeing blue smoke coming out the exhaust, then go ahead and drain some oil. Usually 1/2 a quart will not cause any problems. I have overfilled cars by a full quart sometimes. I have never had or seen any problems.
If it bothers you that much, go ahead and drain some. Personally, I wouldnt worry about it.
P.S. You were checking the dip-stick with the engine off, right??
If it bothers you that much, go ahead and drain some. Personally, I wouldnt worry about it.
P.S. You were checking the dip-stick with the engine off, right??
