2002 Pathfinder Oil - too much

[varnco]

So, I have the typical problems with a pathfinder that it burns oil (not noticeably, just that it gets low after awhile).

so, I put oil in it as it was about 1/2 quart too low when I checked. Well, a few days later, It's knocking, so I check the dipstick, and it's overfilled, so I figure it's causing the oil to froth and not lubricate properly.

So, I take some oil out, and then it shows it's low. I put oil in it, and the dipstick doesn't show any oil. I start it and let it run for a minute, and it shows just below empty. I let is sit, restart about 10 minutes later, and now it's showing right in the middle of the dipstick.

What the heck is going on? How does the oil level change so much in such a short time?

I've had this stupid knocking sound too, about 3x over the years, and each time it's after an oil change, and if you just drive it, it eventually goes away... odd? You bet.

any thoughts on the oil measurements being so whacky and what's causing the knocking?

[ezb57e]

I like to check it 1st thing in the AM. You don't even need a rag.
But let it sit for at least 10 minutes after you shut it off. Let it all drain down.
Clean any varnish off the stick so you can get a good look too.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Follow the instructions in the owner's manual: hot, and wait 10 minutes.

The 3.5L will show different oil levels hot and cold (I forget which is lower). We had a thread on this a year or two
ago, and I ran some tests.

Chuck

[varnco]

Thanks everyone. I'll try to be consistent, as this pathfinder has that problem where it eats about 1 qt of oil every 1K miles or so, so I need to be on top of it.

The stupid knocking/rattline noise from the tensioner or whatever was rattling around stopped after I drove it around for about 10 minutes after adjusting the oil level.