Too much oil...problem?

vermithrax · 08-20-2012, 03:35 PM

Took my Z to get an oil change today. Went to a local garage that usually does it for me. I bring my own oil and filter(Mobile 1EP and a K&N Filter).

New guy was there and I tell him only use 5 and 1/8 quarts, and save the rest for next time. He comes back when he is done and hands me the left over oil.

Looks like he put almost 5 1/2 quarts in. I ask him about it and he blows it off, saying that little more won't hurt anything. Kinda pissed me off, since I specifically told him what to put in.

Question is, how bad is this? Do I need to find a way to take some oil out? I don't have a lift, or ramps, otherwise I would be doing it myself in the first place.

Davey · 08-20-2012, 03:59 PM

Maybe he spilled some... Where is it on the dipstick with the car cooled down and on a level surface? It should be between the dots. If it's above the upper dot then yeah, it's got too much oil.

Jordo! · 08-20-2012, 04:00 PM

Going up to 1/2 qt over should be okay. More would be potentially bad.

Bonzo · 08-20-2012, 04:12 PM

I bought Mobil 1 in the 5 quart jug. It's actually 5.25 quarts I think. I just told them to put the whole thing in there and didn't even think twice.

vermithrax · 08-20-2012, 04:19 PM

ok, I'll have to check the level. So up to an extra 1/2 quart shouldn't bother anything?

Spikuh · 08-20-2012, 04:19 PM

You should be ok and not see any adverse affects from being over so little. If you are really overly concerned, just pull the drain plug out for a quick moment to drain it out.

wstar · 08-20-2012, 05:42 PM

The quarts are just a rough guideline, you have to judge by the dipstick reading (on level ground, preferably cold, but at least let it sit ~15 mins). Ideally you want the mid-point between the two dots/holes, but anywhere between them is acceptable.

The consequences:

... of being severely underfilled: no oil pickup, engine tears itself apart pretty quickly.
... of being slightly underfilled (e.g. just off the bottom of the dipstick): you'll get oil pickup parked, but you'll lose oil pickup when you apply G's (braking/cornering/accelerating), leading to temporary oiling problems and slower damage.
... of being even a little overfilled: your oil will foam from air and/or moving parts sloshing into it, and foamy oil doesn't lubricate well or move under pump force the same -> increased engine wear, possible immediate problems on a really hard drive at the track if you really cook something.

Check the dipstick!

(And learn to do your own oil changes. It's the easiest maintenance job and one of the most critical. Nobody cares about your engine more than you do! Ramps are cheap! Get the larger of the two sizes of Rhino Ramps that every local parts store carries, and get Home Depot to cut you two little 2ft sections of 2x4 to put in front of the ramps (to clear the front air spoilers on the way up))

vermithrax · 08-20-2012, 06:29 PM

I checked the dipstick and it seem to be over but it is hard to tell how much. Definitely past the second dot, maybe up to the bend in the stick.

I don't see how it could be that high. I still have almost 75% of a quart left out of a total of 6 quarts. I should only be over by a bit over .25 of a quart. I'm buying ramps and doing this myself next time.

Is there any easy (without ramps), way of removing some oil?

FairladyZ · 08-20-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermithrax

I checked the dipstick and it seem to be over but it is hard to tell how much. Definitely past the second dot, maybe up to the bend in the stick.

I don't see how it could be that high. I still have almost 75% of a quart left out of a total of 6 quarts. I should only be over by a bit over .25 of a quart. I'm buying ramps and doing this myself next time.

Is there any easy (without ramps), way of removing some oil?

id drain it if its over that top dot

sfearl1 · 08-20-2012, 06:44 PM

Get an automotive syringe from a parts store and pull it out of the dipstick tube with a silicone/rubber hose. Had to do it to mine. Pretty simple to do.

wstar · 08-20-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ

id drain it if its over that top dot

What he said. It's not gonna destroy anything in a calm drive or two, but it definitely should be addressed. It should be easy to tell by the way: either the oil is past the upper of the two holes on the dipstick, or it's not. Be sure to draw out the dipstick, wipe it, re-insert, then draw it again to read.

You can snake a long thin silicone hose into the dipstick tube to draw it out with some kind of syringe or pump like another person said above, it's a little tricky to get the hose in unless it's tiny, but it totally works.

As for your amount of leftover oil: that just means the car wasn't fully drained before re-adding, perhaps.

wstar · 08-20-2012, 08:47 PM

I just noticed you're in Houston btw

There's a Houston meet tomorrow night, maybe someone there can help ya out too. I'm not yet sure whether I'll make it or not. http://www.the370z.com/texas/52170-h...ml#post1877633

Mt Tam I am · 08-20-2012, 10:22 PM

If your engine is like mine, you'll be where you want in a week.

onzedge · 08-20-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

If your engine is like mine, you'll be where you want in a week.

cosmicdust73 · 08-23-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

If your engine is like mine, you'll be where you want in a week.

Same here... mine failed the TSB test and is getting a new short block which will hopefully fix the oil consumption problem.

08-20-2012, 03:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	Too much oil...problem? Took my Z to get an oil change today. Went to a local garage that usually does it for me. I bring my own oil and filter(Mobile 1EP and a K&N Filter). New guy was there and I tell him only use 5 and 1/8 quarts, and save the rest for next time. He comes back when he is done and hands me the left over oil. Looks like he put almost 5 1/2 quarts in. I ask him about it and he blows it off, saying that little more won't hurt anything. Kinda pissed me off, since I specifically told him what to put in. Question is, how bad is this? Do I need to find a way to take some oil out? I don't have a lift, or ramps, otherwise I would be doing it myself in the first place.

08-20-2012, 04:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Going up to 1/2 qt over should be okay. More would be potentially bad. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

08-20-2012, 04:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bonzo Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 690 Drives: Finally, a 370Z!!! Rep Power: 3371	I bought Mobil 1 in the 5 quart jug. It's actually 5.25 quarts I think. I just told them to put the whole thing in there and didn't even think twice. __________________ Finally Able To Order 2012 Model 8/24/2011 Delivered Tuesday November 15, 9:57 am!!! 2012, Auto, White, Sport, Kick Plates

08-20-2012, 05:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	The quarts are just a rough guideline, you have to judge by the dipstick reading (on level ground, preferably cold, but at least let it sit ~15 mins). Ideally you want the mid-point between the two dots/holes, but anywhere between them is acceptable. The consequences: ... of being severely underfilled: no oil pickup, engine tears itself apart pretty quickly. ... of being slightly underfilled (e.g. just off the bottom of the dipstick): you'll get oil pickup parked, but you'll lose oil pickup when you apply G's (braking/cornering/accelerating), leading to temporary oiling problems and slower damage. ... of being even a little overfilled: your oil will foam from air and/or moving parts sloshing into it, and foamy oil doesn't lubricate well or move under pump force the same -> increased engine wear, possible immediate problems on a really hard drive at the track if you really cook something. Check the dipstick! (And learn to do your own oil changes. It's the easiest maintenance job and one of the most critical. Nobody cares about your engine more than you do! Ramps are cheap! Get the larger of the two sizes of Rhino Ramps that every local parts store carries, and get Home Depot to cut you two little 2ft sections of 2x4 to put in front of the ramps (to clear the front air spoilers on the way up)) __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details Last edited by wstar; 08-20-2012 at 05:49 PM.

08-20-2012, 06:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
sfearl1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,300 Drives: 2013 FBO E85 GTR Rep Power: 17	Get an automotive syringe from a parts store and pull it out of the dipstick tube with a silicone/rubber hose. Had to do it to mine. Pretty simple to do. __________________ Scott

08-20-2012, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Davey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,766 Drives: '15 NISMO 6MT Rep Power: 117171	Maybe he spilled some... Where is it on the dipstick with the car cooled down and on a level surface? It should be between the dots. If it's above the upper dot then yeah, it's got too much oil.

08-20-2012, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	ok, I'll have to check the level. So up to an extra 1/2 quart shouldn't bother anything?

08-20-2012, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	I checked the dipstick and it seem to be over but it is hard to tell how much. Definitely past the second dot, maybe up to the bend in the stick. I don't see how it could be that high. I still have almost 75% of a quart left out of a total of 6 quarts. I should only be over by a bit over .25 of a quart. I'm buying ramps and doing this myself next time. Is there any easy (without ramps), way of removing some oil?

08-20-2012, 08:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	I just noticed you're in Houston btw There's a Houston meet tomorrow night, maybe someone there can help ya out too. I'm not yet sure whether I'll make it or not. http://www.the370z.com/texas/52170-h...ml#post1877633 __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

08-20-2012, 10:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	If your engine is like mine, you'll be where you want in a week. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

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