By cartner on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 11:19 pm: Edit

I'm wondering if I have TOO much oil in my engine, and if that could cause some of my running problems...what would the symptoms be if such were the case? I dont want to be one of you guys that says "ask me how I know" when someone asks about major engine rebuilds and that sort of thing....

By PerroneFord on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 11:29 pm: Edit

uhh... did you look at the dipstick???

I don't mean to be condescending, but that is what most folk do to check oil levels. If you don't think you're getting an accurate reading off the dipstick, do an oil change. That way, you will know EXACTLY how much oil is in there.

-P

By cartner on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 11:31 pm: Edit

Yeah, I know how much oil is IN there NOW, but the truck's been acting up, and its a little over full, not much, but I'm looking for ANY reason for some of the wierd stuff the trucks been doing. OF course I looked at the dipstick..yikes.

By PerroneFord on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 11:41 pm: Edit

sorry man.. I hated to ask that, but I had to!

What kind of strangeness are you getting? Putting too much oil in the pan generally means the counterweights on the crank are going to be splashing through oil. Generally that shows up as loss of power. I GUESS over time it could cause undue stress on the crank bearings, but that would take some extreme circumstances.

Maybe Kyle of the other engine guys can butt in here and offer up some of their experiences.

-P

By Bill Leek on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 08:20 am: Edit

Also, having the crank splash through the oil in the pan causes foaming in the oil. This reduces the oil pump's ability to properly circulate the oil through the engine. Could lead to long term problems, though not sure of any problems that would be immediately apparent.

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 11:17 am: Edit

Depending on how much over full it is, you'll be fine. The engine will just burn-off the excess (mostly by foaming it away). You're not gonna wear-out the crank or blow a head gasket or anything if you're just a little over full.

Now, how much is "a little over full?" Is it a quart over, or a 1/4 quart over? If it's a quart over, just unscrew the drain plug and drain out about a quart. Yes, it's possible. It's messy, though, so be prepared. If you're just a 1/4 quart - or even as much as a 1/2 quart - over, leve it, it'll burn off. Just make sure you don't regularly overfill.

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 11:52 am: Edit

Jon wouldn't be a whole lot easer to just remove the filter and drain it?