Engine Oil Overfill - Unfortunately it happened to me.

[Anil Mankame]

I have a 2001 Legacy Outback with 69K healthy and fun-filled miles and a
week ago some ignorant mechanic at a local dealership overfilled my engine
oil. I mean overfill by substantial amount - the oil level was indicating at
least 4 inches above the normal high line. Unfortunately or fortunately, I
noticed it after driving about 120 miles - 3 days later (not continuously
though). The first symptom was that when I started the car there was the
initial puff of bluish smoke and then there was persistent burnt oil smell
in my vent and finally, I noticed oil dripping at the bottom. Not sure where
it was coming from but it was leaking. The next day I took it back to the
dealer, who after acknowledging that it was their mistake, promptly refilled
the oil to the correct level and also in the process, it seems, replaced air
filter and cleaned the air intake manifold (as it was wet with oil etc....).
Suspecting that some gasket must be shot, I had them degrease the underside
of the whole engine and idle it for 20 minutes, while it was still on the
lift. Luckily there were no further visible leaks, at least to my eyes.

My questions to the Outback fan club is

a) What damage could it have done - that I haven't yet come across
b) I still smells some burnt oil from the dashboard vent, whenever I am
stopped at a traffic light - I could not find any visible trace of oil
leak - Could it be from the oil that got splashed in during the overfill and
the cleaning they did wasn't enough?
c) I have captured the incident in a detailed letter to the dealer and am
thinking of sending a copy to the Subaru Corp. of America, Customer
Service... Should I do anything else more...

Thanks,

Anil

 

[Edward Hayes]

Since the dealer made good and corrected the mistake I would be
satisfied and not try to give them more grief with letters etc. Since
it is in their records I would just keep an eye open for future leaks.
JMHO ed

 

[Sparky Polastri]

If it is severely overfull, it's possible the oil came squirting out of the
dipstick opening. Check to see it's physical proximity to the air
filter/intake to see if it is logical that it got in there that way.

You didn't start smelling oil when you were driving 120 miles?

b) I still smells some burnt oil from the dashboard vent, whenever I am
stopped at a traffic light - I could not find any visible trace of oil
leak - Could it be from the oil that got splashed in during the overfill
and
the cleaning they did wasn't enough?

Could be, oil is sticky and it takes very little to make a smell.

 

[Anil Mankame]

Thanks for your reply. My updates below....

If it is severely overfull, it's possible the oil came squirting out of the
dipstick opening. Check to see it's physical proximity to the air
filter/intake to see if it is logical that it got in there that way.

--- No, oil did not come out of the dipstick tube - If it did, it would
have been an easy find for me. The whole engine underside was wet -

You didn't start smelling oil when you were driving 120 miles?

--- I ignored the initial smell thinking that it's normal to smell oil right
after an oil change, which generally disappears - gradually though- over the
next few days. What caught my attention was the persistent intensity of
smell, which did not decrease, as it should have over the next day or so.

--- Also, my 120 miles were a) 20 miles back from the dealer to home b) To
and fro - from work 50 miles each way

 

[uncleharpoon]

Basically the dealer dumped 4 add'l quarts into my OB98 as well. The smoke
was white - not blue and at first the "experienced" mechanic said a blown
head gasket. Service advisor wasn't convinced so he checked and he
discovered the extra oil - they dumped it and refilled. I had to ask them
to check the PCV (cleaned) and Air filter (ok). They did put it on the
service ticket and were more confused/harried than anything else.

Car was still puffing white smoke so I left it for Monday when they will
have more mechanics and a manger available.

Problem complicated by 100mi trip to the dealer!

 

[Ben Green]

White smoke is coolant in a cylinder. Are you sure the head gaskets are OK?
Can you smell anti-freeze in the white smoke? That would clinch it.

 

[uncleharpoon]

At this point I'm watching the overflow tank like a hawk, as in masking
tape, grease pencil, log book and digital camera.

The dipstick shows no oil being burned.

BUT.. the coolant level drops in the overflow tank and there is a slightly
sweet smell when the car comes in hot. I've heard that Subaru in really
hot weather tends to be stressed... .and we are in South Texas... No smoke
is visible out the tail pipe, nor is there any abnormal smell there - just
the engine compartment. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Edward Hayes]

I don't see a connection with oil overfull & coolant drop in
reservoir. What kind of drop are you talking about? I do know mine
changes level from overnight cold to a warm engine level. My OF tank
probably drops about 1 inch in 4 months (40 cc?) when cold checking.

 

[k. ote]

At this point I'm watching the overflow tank like a hawk, as in masking
tape, grease pencil, log book and digital camera.

The dipstick shows no oil being burned.

BUT.. the coolant level drops in the overflow tank and there is a slightly
sweet smell when the car comes in hot. I've heard that Subaru in really
hot weather tends to be stressed... .and we are in South Texas... No smoke
is visible out the tail pipe, nor is there any abnormal smell there - just
the engine compartment. Anyone have any ideas?

Yes; what kind of vehicle are you running?

There is a superseded part for the large radiator hose in the STi. The 'old'
one has a sleeve on it and rubs up against the hot metal one on the top of
the radiator. Depending on your driving style and the roughness of the
roads in your area, this can generate a small hole which can leak. The
design of the metal tube draws this downward towards the
electrically-drive, thermostatically-controlled radiator fan and can
atomise it practically invisibly inside your engine compartment.

The superseding part is shorter, doesn't have an additional sleeve (which
apparently was for protection of the large hose) and doesn't appear to be
affected by the same issue.

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