Oil Over filled, will cause damage ?

[I35JUGA]

i have 98 qx4 have the valve cover gasket replace on june, last week i notice theres oil drip on my garage. Check my oil to see if i loose any ... to find out that actually they over filled the like 1 quart . What does over filled oil cause my engine ? car still running fine not notice any diffrence. And anything that i should pay attention ? Took it back yesterday and the will look at it, and let me know whats going on, any help will be great. Car has about 115K, and i drove it about 2K miles since they replace the gasket.

[Towncivilian]

You are fine. As long as it's not over a quart overfilled and you don't see bubbles on the dipstick right after shutting off the engine, it's no big deal. If you are anal about it, remove the filter, let the filter drain most of its oil, and spin it back on. This should remove about half a quart.

[fueler]

Probably no damage but i'd drop a quart to get it to the top mark on the dip stick.

Was your engine cold or hot when u measured it?

[patqx4]

Definitely drain some out. Overfilling is as bad as underfilling. When I got my truck the transmission was overfilled a LOT and I hit the roof when I saw it. First thing I did to her was drain that to the correct MAX level. Lazy mechanics who wont bother to get the level right really piss me off.

-Pat

[I35JUGA]

It was cold, i read few online site that will cause seal to leak ( like rear main seal ), is that true ? I just dont want the car to be money pit in the future

[Towncivilian]

It was cold, i read few online site that will cause seal to leak ( like rear main seal ), is that true ? I just dont want the car to be money pit in the future

Don't know about that. But do as I said and remove the filter once or twice to achieve the proper oil level, it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to do.

[cpta2020]

Definitely drain some out. Overfilling is as bad as underfilling. When I got my truck the transmission was overfilled a LOT and I hit the roof when I saw it. First thing I did to her was drain that to the correct MAX level. Lazy mechanics who wont bother to get the level right really piss me off.

-Pat

I recently got my transmission oil changed, and its been over filled, how do i drain it? now i'm getting worried... maybe thats why its shifting hard from 1st to 2nd.

[Towncivilian]

Definitely drain some out. Overfilling is as bad as underfilling. When I got my truck the transmission was overfilled a LOT and I hit the roof when I saw it. First thing I did to her was drain that to the correct MAX level. Lazy mechanics who wont bother to get the level right really piss me off.

-Pat

I recently got my transmission oil changed, and its been over filled, how do i drain it? now i'm getting worried... maybe thats why its shifting hard from 1st to 2nd.

Disconnect the cooler return line (passenger side), secure the hose in a bucket, have a friend turn on the engine, drain some fluid, yell for friend to shut off engine, adjust level as required.

[patqx4]

I recently got my transmission oil changed, and its been over filled, how do i drain it? now i'm getting worried... maybe thats why its shifting hard from 1st to 2nd.

Disconnect the cooler return line (passenger side), secure the hose in a bucket, have a friend turn on the engine, drain some fluid, yell for friend to shut off engine, adjust level as required.

Personally i think its easier to just pull the drain plug and let it run out for a couple seconds into a bucket, stick the drain plug back in and tighten. At least that's how I do it. Just make sure youre checking the level with the engine warmed and running.

-Pat

[Chuck Tribolet]

Just make sure youre checking the level with the engine warmed and running.

No. you check the oil with the engine NOT running.

From the '01 owner's manual:

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H and L
marks.If the oil level is below the L mark,
remove the oil filler cap and pour recommended
oil through the opening. Do not
overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
changes or during the break-in period, depending
on the severity of operating conditions.

[patqx4]

Just make sure youre checking the level with the engine warmed and running.

No. you check the oil with the engine NOT running.

From the '01 owner's manual:

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H and L
marks.If the oil level is below the L mark,
remove the oil filler cap and pour recommended
oil through the opening. Do not
overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
changes or during the break-in period, depending
on the severity of operating conditions.

Sorry Chuck, you are absolutely right engine oil is checked with engine off. I was replying in regards to transmission fluid. Sorry for the confusion. That said, I would recommend the same proceedure to correct the engine oil level. (release oil via drain plug, check level.)

-Pat

[fueler]

It was cold.

Ouch, being a quart over when cold, is like being 1.5 or maybe even 2 quarts over when hot. (Oil expands when hot). The marks on our dipstick are meant to be read when hot (engine at operating temp).